In an effort to advance labor rights and promote workplace safety and dignity, the Upper East Regional Secretariat of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has joined forces with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to advocate for the ratification of ILO Convention 190 in Ghana.
Convention 190, which was adopted by the ILO in 2019, is a landmark international treaty aimed at preventing and addressing violence and harassment in the world of work. It sets out clear guidelines and principles for member states to uphold the fundamental rights of workers and create a conducive environment free from all forms of violence and harassment.
The campaign for the ratification of Convention 190 was launched on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at the TUC conference hall in Accra. On Thursday, February 29th, the Upper East Regional Secretariat of the TUC embarked on a float in the Upper East regional capital – Bolgatanga, and later presented a statement to the Upper East Regional Minister at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).
Regional Secretary of the TUC, Scholastica Tagtir Dery emphasized the urgent need for Ghana to ratify Convention 190, noting that it would provide essential legal protections for workers and contribute to fostering a culture of respect and equality in the workplace.
“We cannot overstate the significance of ratifying Convention 190 in Ghana. It is essential for ensuring the safety and dignity of workers, particularly in sectors where instances of violence and harassment are prevalent,” she stated. “You can be harassed at the workplace but because the law is not passed, you cannot take the person to face the law. Some of the bosses, imagine you go to his office to serve him and he is touching you, harassing you. It is not your wish that he touches you, but he is touching you because you are under him. So, if this law is passed and somebody touches you unlawfully, you will be able to report the person. That is why we are calling for the ratification of the law,” she added.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, commended the TUC leadership for championing the ratification of Convention 190 and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the efforts to strengthen labor rights and promote a culture of non-violence and respect in the workplace.
Source: A1radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | Joshua Asaah | Bolgatanga | Ghana
