‘Don’t wait for governments’


“Don’t wait for ratification.” This was the advice of Stephen Russell, TUC policy officer and the UK trade union representative at the International Labour Organization (ILO) to delegates at a recent event on ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment at work. The event was organised by the Ethical Trade Initiative.


Major UK brands, businesses, trade unions and NGOs discussed how to work collectively, across sectors, for ratification of the convention. 


It requires United Nations member states to recognise the effects of gender-based violence on the world of work and mitigate its impact. Russell urged delegates to lobby governments to adopt the convention, but added: “These are the right approaches, and the only way you can protect the human rights of people in your supply chains. 


“Follow these recommendations. Don’t wait to be told by governments. 


“And don’t wait for the ‘nirvana’ of ratification.”