Parliamentarians debate C190 ratification on Elimination of Violence and Harassment at workplaces

They are key to the ratification and domestication of C190 which will provides an obligation to the Government of Malawi to adopt laws and regulations for prevention of violence and harassment, including gender-based violence in the world of work.
Present during the meeting were also representatives of Parliamentary Committees on Social and Community Affairs, Legal Affairs, and International Relations and other stakeholders from the Malawi Human Rights Commission, Department of Human Resource and Management, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs among others.
Addressing the meeting, Minister of Labour, Ms. Agnes Nyalonje said there was need for Malawi to ratify C190 and adopt laws, policies, and regulations to eliminate cases of violence and harassment in the world of work.
Ms. Nyalonje added that violence and harassment at work negatively affect the productivity for the country.
“We believe that a law is of no use to anybody if it remains on paper, so we are not only looking at ratifying C190 but making sure that it becomes a living law. Hence our engagement today with the Members of Parliament to make sure that they are sensitized on C190 and can pass into law and bill relating to C190 when it goes to Parliament,” said Ms. Nyalonje.
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus, Honourable Roseby Gama Gadama Member of Parliament said there was need to engage Members of Parliament on the importance of ratifying C190, stating that being part of equality and non- discrimination instruments, C190 cut across many aspects of social and economic factors.
“Once Government ratifies this Convention, Malawi will need to put in place laws and policies that will ensure that all employers and employees adopt measures to ensure workplaces are free from violence and harassment. This is where Legislators come into play to domesticate this Convention,” said Honourable Gadama. “We will need to table and pass the necessary of Parliament, we commit to be ambassadors of C190 to our colleagues who have not had the chance to be with us here.”
Earlier, Vice-Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Social and Community Affairs, Honourable Bernard Kondwani Chitekwe emphasized the significance of ratifying C190, stating that the ratification and domestication of the Convention would be key towards the implementation of labour rights, and occupation, safety and health in the workplace.
“Ratification of C190 by Malawi will further enhance protection for workers by ensuring that the legal framework in Malawi aligns with the comprehensive standards outlined in this convention. This will strengthen the legal basis for addressing workplace harassment, including sexual harassment, and provide additional avenues for recourse and redress for victims,” added Honourable Chitekwe.
Meanwhile, the Second Deputy Speaker of the Malawi Parliament, Honourable Aisha Adams reaffirmed the need for Malawi to ratify and domesticate C190, saying that this is an opportunity for the country to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to the promotion of human rights, gender equality, and the creation of a work environment that is free from violence and harassment.
“Despite the existence of the Gender Equality Act which demonstrates the country’s commitment to create safe and respectful work environment for all individuals, ratifying and domesticating Convention 190 remains crucial as it will demonstrate Malawi’s commitment to upholding international standards on prevention and elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work. This signals to the international community that Malawi is dedicated to creating a work environment that aligns with global best practices,” observed Honourable Adams .