Philippines Ratifies International Labor Convention on Violence and Harassment
DOLE Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio, Jr. (center), accompanied by Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative Carlos D. Sorreta (left), presents the Philippines’ instrument of ratification of ILO Convention 190 to Deputy Director General Celeste Drake (right) at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva on 20 February 2024. (Geneva PM photo)
GENEVA 23 February 2024 – The Philippines officially deposited its instrument of ratification of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work today at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The ceremony, attended by DOLE Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr and Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta, Permanent Representative of the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, coincided with the International Day of Social Justice.
In receiving the ratification instrument, ILO Deputy Director General Celeste Drake said, “by ratifying this convention, you ensure that every worker, regardless of gender or background, can contribute to the workforce without facing the scourge of violence or harassment.” She added, “Through this act, the Philippines sends a powerful message on the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment.”
“Beyond the formal act of depositing the ratification instrument today are the country’s sustained commitment to international labor standards, both in law and in practice, and its solidarity with the tripartite constituents worldwide in the conviction that coordinated international and national action are critical in attaining decent work and lasting social peace and justice,” Undersecretary Bitonio said in his remarks. “The government employed social dialogue and tripartism in mustering consensus to ratify the convention, we will continue to use the same process in seeing to it that the convention will be fully implemented,” he added.
Convention 190 is the 39th ILO Convention ratified by the Philippines. The Philippines has been a member of the ILO since 1948. END
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