Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and America Solidarity Center have forged an alliance to develop new strategies to ensure the speedy implementation of convention 190 in order to prevent Gender Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) in the world of work recently ratified by the federal government.
The duo reached this agreement at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting with several Civil Society Organizations, NAPTIP, Media Partners, youth leaders, and government agencies held in Abuja Tuesday.
The workshop was organised to enable strategic actors to develop an advocacy campaign plan with advocacy activities targeting employers, governments, and parliament.
It also included building new relationships, expand the existing coalition, as well as develop strong networks and partnerships among other issues.
As part of the strategies, the stakeholders agreed to organise training and education on the meaning of the ratification and the content of C190, with a target of Employers, Labour Union Leaders and Gender desk officers.
They also resolved to embark on media Enlightenment on the content of the C190 to the public/larger audience.
In his welcome address, Eric Edi of the Solidarity Center commended the National Coalition on its effort at ending GBVH in the world of work and the efforts that led to the ratification of the ILO C190 and called on Trade Unions to undertake more collaborative engagement, identify areas for further research to get understanding on GBVH.
Also, Janet Anaele, Program Officer, Solidarity Center urged Trade Unions to continue to increase awareness of GBVH, develop policies to prevent and address GBVH, and integrate C190 into its collective bargaining agreements (CBA).
She also called on the government to adopt legislation that promotes all workers.
She noted the current effort of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria with support from Solidarity Center AL-CIO in creating awareness among union leaders about key GBVH issues unique to people with disabilities and how unions can best utilize ILO Convention 190 to assist this category of highly vulnerable workers.
Anaele disclosed the planned research on “Access to Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities” being led by Trade Union Congress with support from the Solidarity Center in the six geopolitical zones.