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COSATU welcomes South Africa’s ratification of ILO Convention 190

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes South Africa’s ratification of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 190 (C190) on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.   

COSATU and its affiliated unions have been at the forefront of the campaign for South Africa to ratify this crucial ILO Convention. The Federations has done this as part of its gender rights programme of action, which includes taking a firm and unwavering stand against gender-based violence. 

Convention 190 was adopted by the ILO in June 2019, while we are of the view that the ratification process could have been done quicker, we are pleased that it has happened. 

We now need to collectively work together to convert this progressive tool in the fight against workplace harassment and violence to a central pillar of our employment legal regime. 

Its ratification and implementation will be a critical boost in the fight against the pandemic of gender-based violence that women are subject to across countless workplaces in all sectors of the economy. 

 It is symbolically and characteristically significant that South Africa’s ratification of C190 comes in the month of December, during the 16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign. South Africa’s ratification is an important confirmation of our position and as a country we need to ensure that we declare a war against the scourge of women and children abuse. 

The Department of Employment and Labour needs to begin engaging Organised Labour and Business at Nedlac on a review of our labour and criminal legislation to ensure that they are following the progressive provisions of Convention 190 and where amendments are needed, to fast track these amendments. 

The Federation and its affiliates will be embarking on training programmes to ensure that all our structures, officials, members, and workers at large are fully empowered to be champions of the implementation of C190 in their workplaces, sectors, and bargaining councils. 

Issued by COSATU    

Sizwe Pamla (COSATU National Spokesperson)    

Tel: 011 339 4911
Fax: 011 339 5080
Cell: 060 975 679