The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions has in a statement called upon the Government of Bahrain to ratify the new convention of ILO No 190, and thus realize a precedence in the workers’ legislation, compatible with its precedence in amending Labor Code by introducing the new article against perpetrators of violence and harassment to the law.
From GFBTU on the works of 108th Session of International Labor Conference in Geneva, June 2019 and the adoption of a new convention No 190 on Violence and Harassment at work The 108th Session of International Labor Conference ended its works in Geneva on 21 st June 2019 by adopting unprecedented convention and recommendation, as well as a declaration drawing a roadmap towards Future of Work based on human being.
On the event of the Centenary of International Labor Organization (1919-2019), the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Union appreciates the role played by this respected organization in supporting the rights of workers all over the world, working with a spirit of collective action through its tripartite spirit which is a unique composition in the world, comprising governments, workers and employers engaging in a fruitful social dialogue, aiming at social justice and sustainable development The General Director of ILO Mr. Guy Ryder in his address before an audience of 6300 delegates representing governments, workers, and employers coming from 178 countries members of ILO, in addition to different national and international Non- Government Organizations attended the conference in their capacity as supervisors, had said :” the uncertainty and insecurity in our time… confirms the importance of achieving social justice for stability and peace, as well as the importance of having decent work in order to raise the standard of living for man ”.
The welcome carpet extended all along the entrance of ILO which recorded the life of this organization since its very beginning up-to-date as a world labor parliament since the end of First World War, witnessed the efforts made by the workers militants from all countries in the world who fought for drafting international labor standards, promoting social justice and human dignity. GFBTU would like to remind in this respect of the role played by ILO in supporting the rights of Bahrain’s workers over decades in obtaining their right to organize and freedom of association since the very beginning of Bahrain’s workers’ movement until the promulgation of Trade Unions Law No 33 / 2002, and in the dismissed workers’ crisis and other events in which ILO played the role of supporter for Bahrain’s workers.
Fortunately, the ILO Centenary coincided with the adoption of Convention 190 related to violence and harassment by the 108th session, in June 2019. The adoption of this convention constitutes a breakthrough in the history of ILO at a time in which all women, in particularly worker-women, all over the world are subjected to the practice of violence and harassment based on gender, which is, in fact, the worse form of discrimination at the workplace.
All delegates of Bahrain three parties to ILC 108, GFBTU, in its capacity as the official representative of Bahrain ‘workers, as well as the other social partners, the government and Employers, have the honor to vote together on the adoption of C190 in the international labor conference, as the violence and harassment constitute “ flagrant violation to human rights and an assault against human dignity… threatening the equal opportunity between genders, both are unacceptable and incompatible with decent work”. The convention 190 defines the “violence and harassment” as” behaviours, practices and threat “aiming at inflicting physical, or psychological, or sexual, or economic damage or lead to that or may lead to that “, it also reminds member-states of their responsibilities to “reinforce a general ambience totally intransigent towards violence and harassment”.
Fortunately, the Kingdom of Bahrain took the initiative to amend the Labor Code by adding a new article sanctioning the perpetrators of harassment at workplace, and doubling the sanction if the perpetrator is found to be the supervisor of the worker. Such amendment needs more explanation and promotion at the workplace, which will make victims of harassment feel secure, safe, and protected by the law. GFBTU avails this opportunity to call upon the Government of Bahrain to ratify the new convention of ILO No 190, and thus it will realize precedence in the workers’ legislation, compatible with its precedence in amending Labor Code by introducing the new article against perpetrators of violence and harassment to the law.
The GFBTU pays tribute to the Centenary of ILO which comes as an expression to the aspirations of several generations of social partners in the world, and notes that presence of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the Governing Body of ILO throws more responsibility on its own shoulders in the protection and safeguard of rights and freedom of association, GFBTU looks also forward that the Ministry of Labor and Social Development will play its role against violations committed by some companies in targeting unionists in their union action and in carriers, this highlights the importance to sign and ratify the C87 related to freedom of association and protection of the right to organize, and C98 related to the principles of the right to organize and collective bargaining. Both conventions are highly important for the protection of trade unionism and unionists. GFBTU also assures the importance of tripartite consultation and social dialogue, a unique feature of ILO, and highly important factor for the progress, and stability in the world of work.
A high appreciation for ILO in its Centenary, which motivate us to continue our efforts for the world of work based on social justice and equality. – Press release by courtesy of the Migrant Forum in Asia
