Women workers call to implement ILO Convention 190

With the theme “Invest in women: Accelerate progress” and in support of Goal 5 (Gender equality) and Goal 8 (Decent work and economic growth) of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the International Labour Organization (ILO) is committed to address critical aspects of women’s participation and social dialogue in the world of work.

The ILO Rural Sectors Project and the Women Workers’ United (WWU) held a forum aimed to provide an avenue for workers to engage with government and employers to discuss practical recommendations and opportunities to align laws and practices with the ILO Convention 190. WWU is one of the broadest formations of women workers and unionists from major labour federations, local affiliates of Global Federations (GUFs) and women’s organizations in the Philippines.

The event is one of the first consultations held by workers’ organizations following the Philippine Government’s ratification of the ILO C190 in February 2024. Director Khalid Hassan of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines said that “the ratification of the ILO C190 breaks new ground and paves the way to align or strengthen national laws and practices towards sustainable development.”

According to the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS), the policy and research arm of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), there remain areas that need to be improved such as the scope and coverage of existing legislation to include all persons and situations associated in the world of work and the issue of enforcement and legal framework, especially for workers in the informal economy.

“While we celebrate the successful ratification of the ILO C190, we also raise our voices on how multiple crises – economic, health, food and climate – are disproportionately affecting women and worsening gender inequalities”, said Annie Geron, President of the Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) and one of the Convenors of WWU.

Collective action and efforts are instrumental in advancing social justice and promoting decent work for all, especially for women workers in the rural sector and other vulnerable groups. “We support ILO’s efforts to fight growing inequalities and make social justice a priority through the Global Coalition for Social Justice”, she added.

The panel discussants from the government, workers’ and employers’ organizations highlighted the need for ensuring compliance with the ILO C190 at the workplace-level through social dialogue and as part of OSH management systems, given that violence and harassment in the workplace is a psychosocial risk. Addressing violence and harassment in the workplace is also part of the National OSH Strategy, which the ILO Rural Sectors Project is supporting.

The ILO Rural Sectors Project is implemented as part of the Safety + Health for All Flagship Programme and is supported by the United States Department of Labor (US DOL).