The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is seeking views from interested parties on Ireland’s plans to ratify an international treaty aimed at eliminating violence and harassment in the workplace.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190), along with an accompanying recommendation, were adopted in 2019 at the ILO’s International Labour Conference (ILC).

The convention aims to protect workers, irrespective of their contractual status – including interns, volunteers, job applicants, and individuals exercising the authority of an employer.

Domestic violence

It applies to the public and private sectors, the formal and informal economy, and urban and rural areas.

The treaty specifically highlights gender-based violence and harassment, and the impact of domestic violence on the world of work is also included.

The department does not anticipate that any new legislation will be needed to ratify the convention, as existing legislation and codes of practice conform to its main provisions.

Regular reports

The ILO is a United Nations agency which brings together governments, employers, and workers from 187 states to develop international labour standards, policies, and programmes.

A member state has no obligation to ratify a convention, but if it does, it must implement the treaty’s provisions, and report regularly to the ILO on the process.

The accompanying recommendation serves as a guideline for member states, and is not legally binding.

The consultation will be open until 26 September 2022.