Campaign #Against violence against textile workers 19 November 2020 Letter to Federal Labour Minister Heil – Germany must push ahead with ratification of Convention 190 In June 2019, after long years of negotiations, the International Labour Organization (ILO) finally adopted Convention 190 against Gender-Based Violence in the Workplace. So far, however, only Uruguay and Fiji have signed the convention. Some countries in the EU allegedly do not want to ratify the Convention for substantive reasons, according to EU circles. In doing so, they are blocking all other EU member states, as the Council must unanimously authorise the member states to sign. But can the process be stopped? What steps has Germany, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU, taken to advance the process? Eleven NGOs have therefore written a letter to Minister Heil. Letter to Federal Minister of Labour Hubertus Heil (PDF file) To the Federal Minister for Labour and Social AffairsMr Hubertus HeilFederal Ministry of Labour and Social AffairsWilhelmstraße 4910117 Berlin Bonn, 18.11.2020 RaThe ILO Convention 190 Dear Federal Minister, We very much welcome the fact that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted an international treaty against violence and harassment in the workplace for the first time in June 2019 by a large majority. The Geneva Convention lays down rules to prevent violence and provide assistance to victims. The international standard is the first legally binding international treaty on violence, but still has to be ratified by the member states or incorporated into national law. will be. At the time, you rightly said that the ILO has thus created an effective international instrument to combat violence and harassment in the world of work and promised: “Germany is committed to this and will start a rapid ratification of the Convention.” Now 18 months have passed and Germany has still not ratified this important convention! Although it is said that Germany would be willing to do so, a decision by the EU Council is necessary and there are states there that block ratification for substantive reasons. But can the process be stopped? What steps has Germany, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU, taken to advance the process? There is a blatant lack of transparency and communication. It's high time: Both in Germany and in global value chains, girls and women are exposed to greater gender-specific risks than men. One in eight women in Germany was affected by sexual harassment in 2018. The coronavirus pandemic has once again made gender inequality more than clear in all areas of society, especially in global supply chains. With the ILO Convention 190, an international convention finally exists that sets binding minimum standards so that people worldwide can effectively defend themselves against violence and sexual harassment in the workplace. Dear Minister, We would be delighted to find you a committed partner in gender-responsive work - in Germany and in global supply chains - and look forward to receiving your feedback soon! Yours sincerely, ChrIstophe Mailliet, Managing Director ASW – Solidarity World Action Group Heike Drillisch, Coordinator CorA - Corporate Responsibility Network Claudia bridge, Head of Communication and Politics TransFair Dr. Gisela Burckhardt, Chairman of the Board FEMNET e.V. Jens Martens, Director of the Global Policy Forum Jessica Espinoza, Boardwoman TERRE DES FEMMES Susanne Sengstock, Pastor & Director, Frauenwerk der Nordkirche PRof. Dr. h.c. Christa Randzio-Plath, Chairman of the Board Marie-Schlei-Verein Sascha Gabizon, Women Engage for a Common Future Philipp Mimkes, Managing Director FIAN Germany Marion Lieser, CEO Oxfam Deutschland e.V.
