• Becomes 55th ILO member to commit to violence-free workplaces

Sri Lanka deposited the instrument of ratification of the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) with the International Labour Office on 16 April.

Sri Lanka has now become the 55th Member State of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to ratify Convention No. 190.

In depositing the instrument of ratification, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva, Sumith Dassanayake, said that the ratification reflects the Government’s commitment to respect, promote, and realise the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment.

He added that Sri Lanka would take steps to introduce the required legal provisions by amending existing labour laws in order to implement the Convention.

In receiving the instrument of ratification, Director-General of the ILO, Gilbert F. Houngbo said that Sri Lanka’s ratification reaffirms its commitment to dignity, equality, and respect in the world of work and marks an important step towards building a future free from violence and harassment, ensuring safe and healthy working environments.

He also conveyed the readiness of the ILO to support the Government and social partners in aligning national legal and institutional frameworks with the Convention.

Convention No. 190 is the first international instrument to establish a clear and comprehensive framework for preventing and addressing violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence and harassment. Together with Recommendation No. 206, it provides an integrated and gender-responsive approach to protecting all workers and others in the world of work, setting out practical measures for implementation.