The Australian government urgently needs to ratify the International Labour Organisation’s ground-breaking new Convention on Violence and Harassment (C190), which recognises every worker’s fundamental right to be free from all forms of violence and harassment at work, including gender-based violence and harassment.
Worker safety has never been more important. COVID-19 has increased risks of violence and harassment, both at work and home. Frontline workers are facing increased risks of violence and harassment from anxious and stressed customers, patients and clients. Rates of domestic and family violence have spiked around the world during the pandemic, and large numbers of workers are being required to work from home, regardless of whether it’s a safe work environment for them.
Australian employers and the Australian government supported the adoption of the Convention one year ago. They must now step up and support ratification of the Convention so it can become law in Australia.
Check the petition here.