ETU National Assistant Secretary David Mier, pictured with Director General of the International Labor Organisation (ILO) Gilbert Houngho, witnessed the ratification of two major conventions at the ILO annual conference, held in Geneva.
The Violence and Harassment Convention provides a comprehensive framework for Governments and employers to prevent, address and reduce the risks of violence and harassment at work.
The Union movement played a major role in making this happen. The ACTU was part of the negotiations from 2018 to 2019, and as a movement we have been pushing for Australia to ratify it since it was adopted in 2019. Its ratification has the immediate impact of extending the recent win of 10 days paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave to every employee in Australia.
The ILO Minimum Age Convention is one of the ten ILO Conventions classified as ‘fundamental’, and a key international instrument in the fight to eliminate child labour and forced labour. Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke has announced the government will declare a minimum working age of 15 years.
Dave Mier was proud to be part of the ACTU delegation to conference and to witness this historic event.
“We are a global movement, and our solidarity with all other workers is what makes us strong. When we unite across borders, finding common ground no matter where we are in the world, we can fight for the fundamental rights of workers like health and safety, good wages and conditions and a better life for all,” he said.