Garment workers demanded on Friday that the government ratify and implement the ILO Convention-190 to end violence and harassment against women at the workplace.
Despite the growing number of women workforce at different industrial units, harassment and violence against them are yet to be minimised and women-friendly environment at the workplaces is yet to be established, they observed.
The workers under the banner of Green Bangla Garments Workers Federation (GBGWF) raised their voices to establish their rights at a rally in front of the National Press Club.
Garment workers play a key role in moving forward the country's economy, making the country self-sufficient in food production and helping the country become a self-reliant Bangladesh, they remarked.
Participation of female workers is increasingly growing both in the formal and non-formal sectors; but despite their growing presence at the workplaces, violence and harassment against them is yet to be stopped, they lamented.
They considered any form of sexual harassment against women at the workplace as tantamount to gross violation of human rights.
They think that proper implementation of High Court verdict, effective anti-harassment policies and their implementation at the factory and enterprise level, enacting a new law on prevention and protection against sexual harassment will play a vital role in creating a conducive workplace culture where women workers could work in safety and dignity.
Mentioning the necessity to ratify the convention, they opined that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) prepared the Prevention of Violence and Harassment Convention-190, which is considered a historical initiative.
The garment workers further said it is the responsibility of all member countries of the ILO to ensure safety and security for the women workforces at their respective workplaces.
They also suggested forming sexual harassment resistance committees at the workplaces and educational institutions and providing compensation to the sexual violence victims.
While presiding over the event, president of GBGWF Sultana Begum said it is now the demand of all that the Bangladesh government should ratify and implement the ILO Convention -190.
She said if Bangladesh ratifies and implements the ILO Convention-190 it will help brighten the country's image abroad as well.
It is to be mentioned that the first international treaty on violence and harassment in the world of work came into force on June 25, 2021, two years after it was adopted by the ILO's International Labour Conference (ILC).
Six countries have so far ratified the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No.190).
The ratifying countries are legally bound by the provisions of the Convention a year after the ratification.
The ILO Convention No. 190 provides the first international definition of violence and harassment in the world of work including gender-based violence and harassment.
Since the adoption of the Convention, the Covid-19 pandemic has further highlighted the issue, with many forms of work-related violence and harassment being reported across countries since the outbreak of the pandemic particularly against women and vulnerable groups.
General Secretary of GBGWF Md Elias and its joint secretary Khadiza Rahman, central leader Selina Hossain and office secretary Rabeya Islam, among others, spoke on the occasion.
