Women's group calls for prompt implementation of ILO Convention 190

Women Workers United (WWU) on Saturday called for the prompt implementation of ILO Convention 190 to end workplace violence nationwide.

On Saturday, the group, along with women trade union leaders of major trade union centers in the Philippines, gathered in Quezon City to launch Women's Month as it held a forum which centered on the ILO Convention 190.

"Against the backdrop of continued attacks against workers' right to freedom of association, the continued killings, illegal arrests, surveillance, red tagging of trade unionists -- the ratification of C190 provided a much needed victory for workers," said Dr. Annie Geron, Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) President and WWU Co-Convenor.

According to ILO Manila Director Khalid Hassan, most cases of such violence remain unreported.

"Reluctance and fear of speaking up in the workplace persist because there is too much at stake or there are insufficient mechanisms," Hassan said.

Aside from this, Federation of Free Workers (FFW) Board Member Arlene Golloso said not all companies have Committees on Decorum and Investigation (CODIs), a workplace-based mechanism tasked to address sexual harassment cases under RA 7877. She said even if there is one, there's no guarantee of having a workers' representative.

"It's not just protection, but prevention. There are laws, that include the Safe Spaces Act, but the gaps are in the lack of awareness of workers on what is acceptable behavior or not," said Golloso.

On February 20, the Philippines became the first Asian country to ratify the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, which is seen to benefit overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The country earned the distinction when it deposited the instrument of ratification with ILO Deputy Director-General Celeste Drake. —Sherylin Untalan/ VAL, GMA Integrated News