Workers in informal economy demand ratification of ILO Convention 190

Stranded workers at the old Government House, Abakaliki

Workers in the informal sector of the economy have called on the Nigerian government to ratify the ILO Convention 190 on Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) in workplaces.

The call followed series of training conducted by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Solidarity Center AFL-CIO for traders on GBVH in the popular Mile 12 International Market, Ketu Lagos.

Based on findings from recent research conducted by the NLC women commission, market spaces in Nigeria have become endemic for all sorts of gender-based violence ranging from physical, sexual assault to bullying and sexual harassment. Mile 12 market was identified as one of the informal economy worksites in Lagos where gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) is prevalent due to the precarious nature of work, patriarchal and sociocultural stereotypes existing within our society.

The Chairperson, National Women Commission and Vice President NLC, Hajia Salamatu Aliu, called for the attention of the Federal Government towards ratification of ILO Convention 190.

She said the campaigns being carried out by the NLC and the Solidarity centre at mile 12 market is part of a series of planned campaigns aimed at kick-starting the process of making the Nigerian work environment safe and GBVH free.

According to her, “it has been confirmed that Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) exist in the world of work in Nigeria. Ratification of C190 will help all sectors of society fight against GBVH. So, the NLC women commission once again call on the government to do the needful soonest.”

She explained that the NLC with support from the Solidarity Centre has trained a core group of market sellers within the market on GBVH issues.

Also speaking, Lagos State Chairperson of the NLC, Comrade Funmi Agnes Sessi said Gender-Based Violence and harassment is not an issue peculiar to women workers but one that also affects men, so ILO C190 must be ratified as it protects everyone.

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