President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s endorsement for the Senate to ratify an International Labor Organization (ILO) convention that seeks to end violence and harassment in the workplace would go a long way towards ensuring workers’ safety and welfare, the chair of the House of Representatives Labor and Employment Committee.
“President Marcos’ endorsement of ILO Convention 190 (C190) shows his commitment in creating a better working environment and will go a long way towards ensuring workers’ safety and welfare,” Rizal 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles said.
The House of Representatives in January this year adopted House Resolution No. 650, which also calls for the ratification of ILO C190.
The ILO C190 or the Convention Concerning the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work was adopted by the ILO Convention General Conference in Geneva, Switzerland in 2019, and then came into force in 2021.
The ILO said C190 seeks to protect workers and other persons in the world of work, including employees as defined by national law and practice, as well as persons working irrespective of their contractual status, persons in training, including interns and apprentices, workers whose employment has been terminated, volunteers, jobseekers and job applicants, and individuals exercising the authority, duties or responsibilities of an employer.
In Pres. Marcos’ letter last month to the Senate urging the body to ratify the said convention, he said that the ratification “will fortify the Philippine government’s mandate and policy in promoting and protecting the rights of Filipino workers, locally and overseas, by pushing for a work environment with zero tolerance for violence and harassment.”
Nograles expressed hope that the Senate will ratify the convention, which he said would be “a victory for the various stakeholders that have fought for better and safer conditions for Filipino workers.”
He added that the C190’s ratification would compel government action towards improving the workplace.
“Our ratification would be a contract with the people. This is a brave step by the government because it implies that we are willing to be judged based on what we accomplish in relation to this convention,” the Harvard-trained lawyer said.
The House of Representatives in January this year adopted House Resolution No. 650, which also calls for the ratification of ILO C190.
