AMBASSADOR SHAMEEM KHAN

She tells ILO of Fiji’s work against violence and harassment

Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan, on Friday, virtually presented to the Director General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Guy Ryder, two instruments of Fiji’s ratification of Convention 190 - Violence and Harassment Convention 2019 and Protocol 2002 to the Occupational Safety and Health Convention of 1981.

While presenting Fiji’s instruments of ratification, Ambassador Khan highlighted the Fijian Government’s continued commitment to improve labour conditions and to apply best practices aligned to international standards.

Fiji’s ratification is consistent with Fiji’s Human Rights Council membership and is timely and we remain committed to addressing real challenges such as violence, harassment, and intimidation in the world of work particularly during this pandemic.

Fiji also noted the inclusivity of the Convention, which purports to protect and empower all who are subjected to bullying and harassment at work including women.

Whilst receiving Fiji’s instruments of ratification, the Director General of the ILO Mr Guy Ryder, congratulated the Fijian Governments’ commitment and leadership in various aspects including improving labour standards despite the hurdles posed by the pandemic.

“Fiji’s ratification signaled to the world that this Convention needs to be ratified quickly and widely. In light of the pandemic, ILO knows from evidence that gender-based violence increased globally and this ratification works towards addressing them, so I thank Fiji for this,” Director General Ryder said.

Further, the Director General reiterated that Fiji’s ratification is critical in enabling the Convention to enter into force, “Your ratification is most crucial and matters as it draws the Convention to meeting the minimum threshold to enter into force.” The ILO Director General wished Fiji well in the domestication of the Convention 190 and the Protocol 2002 and the ILO stands ready to work collaboratively with the Fijian Government in its implementations. On Friday 29th May, 2020 the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji approved the ratification of Convention 190 – Violence and Harassment Convention 2019 and Protocol 2002 to the Occupational Safety and Health Convention in 1981.