Local MP calls on the Government to support International Labour Organisation convention and end Violence and Harassment at Work
More than one-third of the world's countries do not have any laws prohibiting sexual harassment at work and millions of working women are vulnerable in the workplace yet there is no international legal standard specifically for protecting women at work from these abuses.
On 28 May the International Labour Conference will meet in Geneva to decide if there is enough support for a new global law to End Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.Maria called the debate to highlighting the problems of sexual harassment faced by women around the world, and the urgent need for actions to be taken to help make workplaces safe for every woman everywhere.
Maria said “In just 12 days’ time the Minister, and indeed the Government, will have a unique opportunity to act in support of the unbelievable courage of thousands—probably millions—of women across the globe who have spoken out as part of the #MeToo campaign about sexual harassment that they have endured at work.
On 28 May, the International Labour Organisation will meet in Geneva to discuss a new possible global law: an ILO convention on ending violence and harassment in the world of work. The convention is an opportunity to move from #MeToo to #TimesUp, and to ensure that the world of workers is better protected.
As a member of the International Labour Organisation, the UK has not only a right to be there, but a right to support that important work, and to speak out and urge others to do the same. We can send a very strong message that the UK wants to protect women’s rights—not just here in the UK or when it comes to the campaigns that we are known for internationally, such as combatting violence against women in areas of conflict or female genital mutilation, but also in ensuring that women no longer have to face violence and harassment in their work.
We are expecting a truly effective global convention to emerge from the proceedings in Geneva that has the full weight of support from the UK Government behind it and for this Government to continue to lead the way in extolling the rights of women to enjoy equality around the world, by ensuring that workplaces are safe for every woman, everywhere.”
Kit Malthouse, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said “The Government take this matter extremely seriously. We welcome the inquiries by the Women and Equalities Committee into sexual harassment in the workplace and in public places, and the International Labour Organisation’s initiative on ending violence and harassment in the world of work. We all have a responsibility to bring an end to inequality and injustice and to do that, we must work together across gender, social, political and national divides.”