Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

4. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the stakeholder consultation of his Department on the International Labour Organisation Convention 190, Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work is due to commence. [59679/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The ratification of ILO Convention C190 is a matter of priority for Ireland and my Department officials continue to work towards being amongst the first ILO member States to ratify, with plans to progress the ratification soon. 

The issue of ratification by Ireland of International Labour Organisation Convention 190, Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, is being considered in the context of our standard approach to the ratification of international instruments. Ireland does not ratify international conventions until it has been determined that national law is in line with the provisions of the international instrument.

Convention 190 is the first ever international instrument on the very important issues of eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work. Ireland already has very strong protections in law to combat violence and harassment in the world of work and has ratified the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).  

My officials have been engaging with relevant Departments and offices to establish the extent to which domestic legislative provisions already provide for the rights and entitlements enunciated in the Convention, as well as legislative amendments, if any, that may be required to enable ratification. The Department is now conducting an analysis of the outcomes of that engagement.

Following  this consideration, as part of the ratification process, my officials will undertake a stakeholder consultation with the social partners and other interested parties.  It is anticipated that this will take place in the coming months once the analysis, mentioned above, is completed.

I can assure you of Ireland’s commitment to work towards being amongst the first ILO member States to ratify Convention 190.