Montenegro ratifies ILO Convention No. 190 to strengthen protections against violence and harassment in the world of work

© AFP/Europress

© AFP/Europress

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (ILO News) - The Convention is the first international labour standard to comprehensively address violence and harassment, including gender-based violence, in the world of work. It affirms the fundamental right of every worker to a workplace free from violence and harassment and provides the first internationally agreed definition of these issues. The Convention covers all workers, irrespective of contractual status, including interns, apprentices, employers, and those in both formal and informal economies, across urban and rural areas.

The ratification comes at a crucial time, as violence and harassment at work remains a widespread challenge globally. The ILO’s global report on violence and harassment at work reveals that 22.8 per cent of workers have experienced at least one form of violence and harassment in their working lives. In Europe and Central Asia, women are disproportionately affected, with 30 per cent reporting experiences of workplace violence and harassment, compared to 22 per cent of men. While physical violence affects slightly more men (6.8 per cent vs. 6.2 per cent), psychological (22.7 per cent vs. 17.4 per cent) and sexual (9.1 per cent vs. 2.5 per cent) violence disproportionately affect women. Victims of gender-based discrimination are also more likely to experience workplace violence and harassment.

Ahead of the ratification, the ILO conducted a legal review of Montenegro’s legislative framework in comparison with the provisions of Convention No. 190. The review found that while Montenegro has a robust legal framework to protect workers from violence and harassment, there are areas requiring further legislative improvements to fully comply with the Convention. The report recommends key legal and policy measures, including recognizing single acts as violence and harassment, strengthening legal definitions of gender-based violence, and expanding protections to jobseekers, apprentices, informal workers, and those no longer employed. Additionally, it highlights the need for improved institutional monitoring through gender-disaggregated data collection and stronger complaint mechanisms. Expanding training programmes for employers, workers, and enforcement agencies is also recommended to enhance awareness, prevention, and enforcement of workplace protections.

By ratifying ILO Convention No. 190, Montenegro takes a significant step towards eliminating violence and harassment at work and fostering a more inclusive world of work. The ILO stands ready to support Montenegro in translating this commitment into effective legal, policy, and workplace measures to ensure that every worker can enjoy a safe working environment.