Violence at work; scourge level in some countries: UN labour agency
15 Jun '06
3 min read
In developing countries, the most vulnerable workers include women, migrants and children, according to the report. In Malaysia, 11,851 rape and molestation cases at the workplace were reported between 1997 and May 2001. Widespread sexual harassment and abuse were major concerns in South Africa, Ukraine, Kuwait and Hong Kong, China, among other countries, the report said.
On a more positive note, the study cited improvements in England, Wales and the United States. For example in England and Wales, the estimated 849,000 incidents of workplace violence in 2002-2003 represented a decline from 1.3 million such incidents cited in a previous survey.
In terms of tackling the issue of workplace violence, the study goes on to highlight a number of “best practice” examples from local and national governments, enterprises and trade unions from around the world that have successfully implemented “zero tolerance” polices and violence-prevention training programmes.
The ILO has adopted a number of fundamental Conventions on worker protection and dignity at work.