International labour standards
Uganda ratifies the ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment
Uganda becomes the 32nd country in the world, and the 8th country in Africa, to ratify Convention No. 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work
On 07 August 2023, the Republic of Uganda deposited the instrument of ratification of the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) with the Director-General of the ILO. By submitting the instrument of ratification, Uganda becomes the 32nd country in the world, and the 8th country in Africa, to ratify Convention No. 190.
Convention No. 190 is a landmark instrument. It is the first international labour standard to address violence and harassment in the world of work. Together with Recommendation No. 206, it provides a common framework for action and a unique opportunity to shape a future of work based on dignity and respect. These instruments will be key to achieve the objectives set by the ILO Centenary Declaration on the Future of Work, adopted in 2019, that clearly commits to a world of work free from violence and harassment, the ILO’s Global call to action for a human-centred recovery from the COVID-19 crisis that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient, and to the Director-General recent call for a Coalition for greater Social Justice globally.
The Convention provides for the first internationally agreed definition of violence and harassment in the world of work, including of gender-based violence, and requires ratifying Member States to adopt, in consultation with representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, an inclusive, integrated and gender-responsive approach to preventing and eliminating it. It also recognizes the different and complementary roles and functions of governments, employers and workers and their respective organizations, taking into account the varying nature and extent of their responsibilities.
In depositing the official instrument of ratification, H.E. Mr. Marcel Robert Tibaleka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Uganda, stressed that the ratification of ILO Convention No.190 reinforces Uganda's dedication to building a just and fair society, fostering a safe and respectful working environment, and upholding the principles of human rights and dignity in the world of work. He also highlighted: "The depositing of this instrument demonstrates Uganda's commitment to ending violence and harassment in the world of work. In pursuit of this goal, the Parliament of Uganda recently passed the Amended Employment Bill to include provisions of this convention."
When receiving the ratification instrument, the ILO Director-General recalled the active role that Uganda played in the standard-setting process for Convention No. 190. Speaking on behalf of the Africa Group, Uganda highlighted the importance of protecting workers in the informal economy, as well as the need to encompass within the instrument the diverse conducts and actors involved in violence and harassment.
To date, Uganda has ratified 31 Conventions (of which 26 are in force). For further information, see NORMLEX.
Convention No. 190 is a landmark instrument. It is the first international labour standard to address violence and harassment in the world of work. Together with Recommendation No. 206, it provides a common framework for action and a unique opportunity to shape a future of work based on dignity and respect. These instruments will be key to achieve the objectives set by the ILO Centenary Declaration on the Future of Work, adopted in 2019, that clearly commits to a world of work free from violence and harassment, the ILO’s Global call to action for a human-centred recovery from the COVID-19 crisis that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient, and to the Director-General recent call for a Coalition for greater Social Justice globally.
The Convention provides for the first internationally agreed definition of violence and harassment in the world of work, including of gender-based violence, and requires ratifying Member States to adopt, in consultation with representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, an inclusive, integrated and gender-responsive approach to preventing and eliminating it. It also recognizes the different and complementary roles and functions of governments, employers and workers and their respective organizations, taking into account the varying nature and extent of their responsibilities.
In depositing the official instrument of ratification, H.E. Mr. Marcel Robert Tibaleka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Uganda, stressed that the ratification of ILO Convention No.190 reinforces Uganda's dedication to building a just and fair society, fostering a safe and respectful working environment, and upholding the principles of human rights and dignity in the world of work. He also highlighted: "The depositing of this instrument demonstrates Uganda's commitment to ending violence and harassment in the world of work. In pursuit of this goal, the Parliament of Uganda recently passed the Amended Employment Bill to include provisions of this convention."
When receiving the ratification instrument, the ILO Director-General recalled the active role that Uganda played in the standard-setting process for Convention No. 190. Speaking on behalf of the Africa Group, Uganda highlighted the importance of protecting workers in the informal economy, as well as the need to encompass within the instrument the diverse conducts and actors involved in violence and harassment.
To date, Uganda has ratified 31 Conventions (of which 26 are in force). For further information, see NORMLEX.