ILO - EU Statement - Tripartite Experts meeting on Violence against Women and Men in the World of Work

Outcome 9:  Promoting fair and effective migration policies - GB.326/POL/2

I am speaking on behalf of the EU and its Member States.

Violence against women and men in the world of work is a severe violation of the right to dignity and integrity. In the EU, we have a broad understanding of violence at work that covers a wide range of abuses, from psychological violence to physical violence.  Various forms of violence at work are still under-recognized and usually not seen as a priority.

We believe that it is crucial and urgent to tackle this serious breach of every one’s right, for the following reasons:

-Violence in the world of work is a human rights violation, as well as a threat to dignity, health, security and well-being of the individual. In addition, it is an extremely costly burden for workers, companies or organisations and societies. Therefore, it is in everyone’s interest to take efficient measures in order to combat violence in the world of work, including through workplace violence prevention programmes. The tripartite nature of discussions at the ILO is very appropriate for such a discussion.

-Violence in the world of work is a phenomenon that is still under-reported. Fear of retaliation at work, of being fired or stigmatised, as well as a lack of knowledge of the mechanisms for reporting, lead to few victims coming forward. This in turn makes it more difficult to assess the extent of the problem and to address it fully.

- One of our main concerns is gender-based violence at work. Evidence shows that women are at higher risk of violence, harassment and sexual harassment. This shows that violence at work is not simply an individual, but also a wider social, organizational and cultural related phenomenon which violates every one’s rights.

While developing more efficient means to tackle violence at work, the gender dimension should be taken into account.

- Additionally, we should not forget vulnerable groups that are also at great risk of violence at work, such as workers living with HIV/aids, LGBTI workers, workers with disabilities, working migrants and other minorities which also often face multiple or intersecting forms of discrimination at work.

Harassment as well as sexual harassment and violence in the workplace are prohibited by the EU acquis. The Framework Directive establishes a general framework for the full and equal treatment in employment and occupation. The Gender Equality Directive implements the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in matters of employment and occupation.  The Race equality directive implements the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin and also refers to harassment. Moreover, all EU MS have signed the Council of Europe Convention on combatting violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention). The Convention sets out the principle that sexual and gender-based harassment and violence is subject to criminal or other legal sanction. The Commission has proposed for the EU to accede to the Istanbul Convention.

European social partners further contributed to frame the approach taken by employers and workers through the Framework Agreement on Harassment and Violence at Work they concluded in 2007. Lessons from the implementation of this framework agreement can inform our work.

For all these reasons, we believe it is crucial for the ILO to address the specific issue of violence in the world of work. Critical measures to combat this phenomenon should include: awareness raising and prevention campaigns, implementing a zero tolerance approach for all forms of violence at work, implementing tools and methods for assessing, reporting and responding to the issue and ensuring that there is relevant legislation. Domestic workers for example are often exposed to violence and have greater vulnerabilities, but are not always covered by relevant legislation.

The EU and its Member States are committed to strengthening their efforts to eliminate violence against women and men in the world of work.  We hope this meeting will involve a fruitful discussion in order to identify effective means to end violence in the workplace.

Thank you.