23 November, 2020Argentina is one step closer to becoming the third country in the world after Uruguay and Fiji to adopt ILO Convention 190 on the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work, after the Chamber of Deputies approved a bill for ratification.
The bill was approved by a large majority on 11 November. In order for Argentina to ratify C190 and its associated recommendation (No. 206), the government of President Alberto Fernández must deposit the formal instrument of ratification at the ILO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Once Argentina ratifies the agreement, it will have to adapt its legislation to include the content regarding the prevention and approach of both violence and workplace harassment.
Unions in Argentina have played an important role in promoting the bill's approval. In the session of the Chamber of Deputies, deputy Vanese Siley, spokeswoman for the federal group of women trade unionists of the CGT, underscored the role of the inter-union network (made up of more than 100 unions from the three national centers) in campaigning for the elimination of violence at the workplace.
Since C190 was approved in June 2019, the trade confederations have formally asked the government to ratify it. The unions have also raised awareness about the problem of violence and workplace harassment in Argentina and promoted the ratification of the convention at large.
IndustriALL deputy regional secretary for gender, textiles, electronics, energy, mining and steel, Laura Carter, says:
”By ratifying C190, Argentina will create a more dignified work environment and send the message that there is no place for violence in the workplace.
“There has been an increase in domestic violence during the pandemic. The Convention also puts paid to the idea that violence in the home has no impact on the world of work. We urge all affiliates to increase efforts to achieve the ratification of C190."