THE APNU+AFC administration has taken steps to ratify the applicable International Labour Organisation’s (ILO’s) convention to stamp out violence and harassment.

According to the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), the body is aware of President David Granger’s recognition and formulation of a strategy to fight for the protection and rights of the vulnerable, having articulated a five-dimensional policy initiative.

The initiative, the GPSU stated in a release, includes the eradication of discrimination, eradication of poverty, provision of employment opportunities, the elimination of violence and provision of educational access.

“It is the union’s strong belief that violence and harassment must be eliminated so that workers are given the best possible opportunity to pursue their material well-being and to live decent and productive lives in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security and equal opportunity as enshrined in ILO Convention 190,” the GPSU said.

The GPSU recounted that it issued a call on the Government of Guyana to ratify ILO Convention: C190 – Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019. It said it respectfully sought the President’s involvement to initiate this action via letter dated December 9, 2019.

“His Excellency responded via correspondence dated December 29, 2019, acknowledging receipt of the union’s letter and that action has been initiated,” the body said.
The GPSU said that it made the representation based on the fact that the best possible action and strongest message to guarantee protection and stamp out violence and harassment, and to ensure the right to equality and non-discrimination in employment for workers in circumstances of vulnerability due to race, gender, age, physical condition, sexual orientation or gender identity, would be the Government of Guyana’s commitment and have action taken to ensure that the accompanying legislation be put before Parliament for ratification.

The GPSU added that the fight for the elimination of violence and harassment began many years ago, recognising that situations of violence and harassment are not a part of anyone’s life regardless of their social or economic circumstances.

“Women must not have to adopt to such conditions because of their gender. This global fight and recognition of this atrocity culminated with the adoption of a new international instrument for everyone, dealing with violence and harassment in the world of work,” the GPSU said.

Internationally, the convention sets the standard and gives authority that the right to a world of work free of violence and harassment is a mechanism against such inhumanness.
And according to the GPSU, domestic violence, which is prevalent and permeates the very fabric of social structures in our societies, especially here in Guyana, is also included as an element in this Convention that would affect persons in the world of work and would constitute a human rights violation.

It was noted that Part II of Guyana’s Constitution guarantees the “Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.”