CTUSAB backs move against harassment

The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) has endorsed the International Labour Organisation’s adoption of a convention aimed at eliminating harassment in the workplace.

CTUSAB said that it holds the view that this convention lends support to the recently enacted Sexual Harassment Act.

“Further, with the emergence of the LGBTQIA community, the ratification of this convention, will serve to protect the members of the community from discrimination and harassment. Acknowledging that the Social Partners of Barbados, under the Social Contract of Protocol VI has expressed a commitment to maintaining the dignity of workers, it is important that the Government undertakes the necessary action to satisfy Convention No.190,” the organisation said in a press release.

In order to satisfy the convention the following grounds must be acknowledged:

a) The right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment, and

b) That violence and harassment in the world of work can constitute a human rights violation or abuse, and that violence and harassment is a threat to equal opportunities, is unacceptable and incompatible with decent work, and

c) The importance of a work culture based on mutual respect and dignity of the human being to prevent violence and harassment, and

d) The important responsibility to promote a general environment of zero tolerance to violence and harassment in order to facilitate the prevention of such behaviours and practices, and that all actors in the world of work must refrain from, prevent and address violence and harassment, and

e) That violence and harassment in the world of work affects a person’s psychological, physical and sexual health, dignity, and family and social environment, and

f) That violence and harassment is incompatible with the promotion of sustainable enterprises and impacts negatively on the organisation of work, workplace relations, worker engagement, enterprise reputation, and productivity. (PR)