15 August, 2023On 7 August Uganda became the 32nd country in the world and the 8th country in Africa to ratify ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work. Unions in the country have been instrumental in the campaign for its ratification.
Together with other unions in Uganda, IndustriALL affiliates have been active in campaigning for the ratification of C190, participating in the official consultative committee and working directly with the relevant ministries.
Unions organized a stakeholder meeting with the National organization of trade unions (NOTU) and the Central organization of free trade unions (COFTU), civil society, members of parliament, workers, union leaders, and the ministry of labour.
Posters and other campaign materials were developed to stress the message Ratify and domesticate ILO C190 on violence and harassment in the world of work in Uganda.
Involving women and youth in the campaign was crucial as they are the most affected by violence and harassment in the world of work. To raise awareness on the importance of the Convention among the public, the unions organized several press conferences, involving the Uganda Broadcasting corporation.
"The Convention will foster a safe and respectful workplace environment for both female and male workers once it is domesticated. However,we will not sit back until C190 is domesticated,"
says Irene Faith Lanyero, chairperson of IndustriALL National Women Committee-Uganda and assistant national treasureer of Uganda Textile,Garment Leather and Allied Workers Union (UTGLAWU).
“ILO C190 is key for a workplace without violence and harassment, and we applaud our affiliates’ campaigning which have been instrumental in Uganda ratifying the Convention,”
says Paule Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary.
Convention 190 is the first international labour standard to address violence and harassment in the world of work. Together with Recommendation 206, it provides a common framework for action and a unique opportunity to shape a future of work based on dignity and respect.