A new International Labour Organisation (ILO) report has emphasised how using occupational safety and health (OSH) frameworks to address the root causes of violence and harassment as well as encourage collective action for better work environments.
The report, ‘Preventing and addressing violence and harassment in the world of work through occupational safety and health measures’, finds that more than one in five people in employment have experienced violence and harassment.
It stated that the issue could affect all types of workplaces and could also occur during commutes, work-related trips, events, digital communications, social activities and in home-based offices.
According to it, OSH measures are key to building an inclusive, integrated and gender-responsive approach to preventing and eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work,
The report emphasizes that OSH frameworks tackle root causes of violence and harassment by addressing underlying risks such as inadequate work organisation, factors related to specific tasks and working conditions that produce high-stress levels that in turn lead to violence and harassment.
It analysed that occupational safety and health frameworks that are based on workplace cooperation and social dialogue, mobilise both employers and workers to create working environments free from violence and harassment.
The report is being issued as part of a research project, ‘Practical guidance and tools to prevent and address violence and harassment in the world of work: An OSH perspective’, which is jointly funded by the European Commission and the ILO.
The adoption of the
In 2022 the International Labour Conference strengthened the commitment by including a safe and healthy working environment among the fundamental rights covered in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
