The U.S. Department of Labor has renewed its partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to address gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace. This collaboration involves the Women's Bureau and the ILO's office for the United States and Canada, aiming to integrate international best practices into U.S. policies while highlighting domestic initiatives at global forums.
The agreement focuses on enhancing care infrastructure, a shared priority for both entities. It will continue to bring together workers, union representatives, employers, and government officials to develop strategies against gender-based violence and harassment. These efforts are aligned with the U.S. National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, which incorporates principles from ILO’s Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment.
Building on previous successes, this partnership will facilitate meetings over the next year to promote effective practices for addressing these issues globally. Women's Bureau Director Wendy Chun-Hoon emphasized the impact of collective action through past convenings that have led to worker-led solutions.
The collaboration also supports outcomes from ILO’s General Discussion Committee on Decent Work and the Care Economy by prioritizing women's voices in policy development. Amber Barth, Director of ILO's office for the United States and Canada, highlighted that this partnership enables learning from effective responses across different sectors.
Barth further noted that Convention 190’s rights-based approach expands strategic options available in the U.S., expressing optimism about increased implementation alongside ILAB and Women’s Bureau efforts.
Chun-Hoon expressed enthusiasm for continued collaboration in various settings over the next year to support care workers' safety and respect in workplaces worldwide.
