Islamabad ‘:
The Supreme Court has urged the federal government to ratify the Convention on Violence and Harassment of the International Labor Organization (ILO) n ° 190, the very first binding international treaty explicitly approaching the elimination of harassment and the violence of the place of the place work.
In a nine -page judgment, judge Syed Mansoor Ali Shah observed that this decision would strengthen the constitutional guarantees of Pakistan on dignity, equality and non -discrimination, strengthen legal protections for workers – in particular women and women and Marginalized groups – and point out a firm commitment to maintain the maintenance of the international standards of human rights.
The decision was made in a case concerning a male worker who received compulsory retirement as punishment for harassment at work.
“Pakistan’s commitment to eliminate harassment in the workplace requires stronger alignment in international legal frameworks. Although the law of 2010 and the modification law provide a base to safeguard workers against harassment, the country has not yet ratified the global convention of violence and harassment of the ILO, which establishes a complete world Mondial standard of prevention and fight against harassment in the workplace, to ensure legal responsibility and to promote a culture of dignity and respect “indicated.
A division bench of the Supreme Court, led by judge Shah and judge Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi, also ordered that a copy of the judgment is sent to the Attorney General of Pakistan for examination concerning the ratification of the Convention on Violence and the ILO harassment.
The judgment defines harassment in the workplace such as: “a range of unacceptable behaviors and practices, or threats, whether it is a single occurrence or repeated, which aims, lead or are likely to harm Physical, psychological, sexual or economic damage, and includes violence and harassment based on sex.
The court stressed that harassment in the workplace remains an urgent global problem, affecting millions of workers in various sectors. According to Global Statistics, more than one in five workers (22.8% or 743 million people) experienced a form of violence or harassment in the workplace.
The judgment noted that women were slightly more likely than men to have faced harassment on their careers. Harassment on the workplace is not simply an individual grievance, because it is a systemic problem that perpetuates gender inequalities by limiting the economic and professional growth of women.
According to the GENDER GAP global index (2024), Pakistan ranks 145th in 146 countries, which makes it the second lower in the world.
“In terms of economic participation, it ranks 142nd, reflecting a situation of deterioration of women on the labor market. These alarming statistics highlight the persistent challenges facing women in a professional environment, especially in countries with significant disparities like Pakistan. “
The court observed that the prevalence of harassment at work affects not only individual well-being, but also strengthens the systemic inequalities of the sexes, limiting the participation of women in the workforce and expanding economic gaps.
The court noted that harassment in the workplace and sexual harassment are deeply interconnected, both from imbalances in power, systemic discrimination and rooted societal standards which strengthen the sexes between the sexes.
