The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has recommended ratification of the International Law Organization Convention concerning the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work (No 190).

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 29 March 2023

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has recommended ratification of the International Law Organization Convention concerning the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work (No 190). The Convention is the first international instrument that commits International Labour Organization (ILO) Members to respect, promote and realise the right of everyone to a world of work that is free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. JSCOT Chair Mr Josh Wilson MP said: “Violence and harassment in the world of work is still far too common. In the five years prior to the 2022 Time for Respect Survey, forty-one per cent of women experienced sexual harassment at work in Australia. This Convention offers a genuine opportunity for Australians to recognise that mutual respect and dignity are a central part of work, and to reduce the instances of violence and harassment in the workplace.” The Convention contains innovative provisions, including a world-first in international labour standards in the form of a comprehensive definition of violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence and harassment. “In recent years, violence and harassment at work in Australia has been a major part of our national conversation and we have seen long-awaited improvements to our domestic law and policy. The Committee concluded that ratifying this first-of-its-kind Convention would be an important milestone in Australia’s continuing efforts to respond to this issue.” The Convention covers all workers and other persons in the world of work, from full time employees to gig-economy workers, and from people who are in training or volunteering to workers who have lost their jobs. The Convention also covers work in public or private spaces, travelling to and from work, rest breaks, and work-related travel and training. The Report can be found on the Committee website, along with further information on the inquiry. Media inquiries Mr Tim Watkin, Chief of Staff Office of Mr Josh Wilson MP 0434 555 823 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing into the International Labour Organization Convention concerning the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work (No. 190).

Media release issue date: Monday, 27 February 2023

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing today into the International Labour Organization Convention concerning the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work (No. 190). Committee Chair, Mr Josh Wilson MP said, “The Convention is the first international agreement to address the pervasive problem of violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence and harassment.” The scope of the Convention is broad, extending beyond traditional workers and covering persons regardless of their contractual status, working arrangements, or the type of violence and harassment to which they may be subject. The Convention requires the adoption of an ‘inclusive, integrated and gender-responsive approach’ to preventing and eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work, which binds the individual elements of the Convention together. “The Australian Government advises that Australia’s law, policy, and practice is already consistent with the Convention’s obligations, but in keeping with its accountability function the Committee will examine this and other issues during the public hearing,” Mr Wilson said. Public hearing details Date: Monday, 27 February 2023 Time: 1.45 pm – 4.00 pm AEDT Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House The hearing can be accessed online and the program for this hearing is available on the Committee website, along with further information about the inquiries. Media inquiries Mr Tim Watkin, Chief of Staff 0434 555 823 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.