Barbados becomes the 2nd Caribbean country to ratify the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention (C190)
News | 14 September 2022
On 01 September 2022, Barbados deposited the instrument of ratification of the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190). By submitting the instrument of ratification, Barbados becomes the 20th country in the world, and the 2nd country in the Caribbean, to ratify Convention No. 190.
Having ratified this Convention, Barbados joins 19 other countries committing to ensuring that everyone has the right to a world of work free from violence and harassment.
The Hon. Colin E. Jordan, M.P., Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector stated “I am happy to have played some part in developing the Convention, being a member of the drafting committee and rapporteur to the standard-setting committee. Since that Conference we in Barbados have engaged with our stakeholders in sensitising employers and workers of the need to address violence and harassment in all its manifestations. We enacted legislation prohibiting discrimination in the workplace, and we are currently working with UN Women on a programme that seeks to eliminate gender-based violence in the workplace.”
In welcoming the ratification, Mr. Dennis Zulu, Director of the ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean said, “Barbados was one of the countries that indicated its interest in Convention No. 190 shortly after its adoption by ILO in 2019. I am happy that this vision has come true. I trust that the Convention will be implemented through Barbados’ vibrant tripartite collaboration. My office stands ready to assist in this endeavour.”
Convention No. 190 is the first international instrument to address violence and harassment in the world of work, and was adopted at the International Labour Conference, the general assembly of the ILO, in 2019. A coupling instrument, the Violence and Harassment Recommendation, 2019 (No. 206), was also adopted.
These two instruments provide a common framework for action, covering such matters as core principles that must be realized through law and practice, protection and prevention measures, procedures and mechanisms for enforcement and remedies, and means of guidance, training and awareness-raising.
Governments, employers and workers and their respective organizations all have roles to play, with the nature and extent of responsibilities varying. The Convention and Recommendation, therefore, provide for their different and complementary roles and functions.
To date, Barbados has ratified 41 Conventions (31 of which are in force) and 2 Protocols. For further information, see NORMLEX.
