Another milestone in protection of Workers against bullying, exploitation, harassment

Fiji has marked another milestone in being part of an international convention about the treatment of workers. Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan has virtually presented to the Director General of the 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.

The ratification is in line with Fiji’s Human Rights Council membership.

It signifies our commitment to address real challenges like violence, harassment, and intimidation in the world of work particularly during COVID-19. It covers men and women in the workplace. COVID-19 has created new challenges for both employers and workers. The convention obligates us to improve labour relations and standards.

Trade unions do not cover all Fijian workers so there is a real concern that non-unionised labour force is being overlooked.

Unless non union members speak out and complain to the Ministry of Employment they suffer silently and their issues miss the ministry radar.

The Director General of the ILO Guy Ryder, congratulated the Fijian Government’s 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 those, so I thank Fiji for this,” Director General Ryder said.

He reiterated that Fiji’s ratification was 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.”

Parliament approved the ratification of Convention 190 – Violence and Harassment Convention 2019 and Protocol 2002 to the Occupational Safety and Health Convention on 1981 on May 29.

It’s generally accepted now that changes are inevitable in the way we conduct ourselves in the workplace. It is hoped that whatever changes are implemented they would be done in a humane way.