The C190 Campaign

The ITF and its affiliates worldwide played an important role in securing the ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment in 2019, along with the ITUC, other global trade unions and civil society organisations - after two years of negotiations at the ILO and years of campaigning . 

Thousands of women workers from all corners of the globe contributed their voices, their experiences and commitment to achieve this historic convention. C190 is a victory for all workers around the world but our journey doesn’t stop here.

However, a large part of the world remains far from making C190 a reality. Many countries still need to ratify and implement the convention. As we’ve seen before, it will take nothing less than our collective strength, unwavering commitment, and focused effort to engage governments, raise awareness, and gather support to make C190 a reality everywhere.

We owe this to the thousands of women who are not heard and believed. 

We owe this to the current and next generation of transport workers to be able to make career choices where ‘safety’ is NOT the primary factor.

A priority for ITF

"As trade unions, we must ensure that the ILO Convention 190 goes beyond being just a piece of paper. Ratification is only the first step; we must hold governments accountable for its implementation, make the law accessible, and integrate it into transport workplace policies. Transport unions must lead this charge.

This convention  isn’t just about rights—it’s about dignity, safety, and respect for every transport worker. It’s also an opportunity for unions to reform from within, with a gender-transformative approach that addresses the unique challenges faced by women workers, who are often in the minority and feel unwelcome in male dominated  world of work.

The ILO Convention 190 is a powerful tool for achieving a safe, dignified, and equal world of work—especially for women transport workers, who have long been denied the respect and equality they deserve".

Stephen Cotton, General Secretary, ITF

Three Pillars

C190 provides clear actions for employers, governments and unions towards making the world of work free from violence and harassment. That is why our campaign to support unions for effective ratification and implementation of C190 is based on three pillars:

Raising Awareness

Raising awareness of C190 and what it means for transport workers, using education to change perceptions and break the myths, stigma and shame linked to violence, utilising global action days like the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November) to spread awareness and organise workers, with a strategic focus on bringing more visibility to women’s leadership.

Lobbying Governments

Lobbying governments for ratification and implementation, including reporting to the ILO on implementation of the Convention once in force

Negotiating

Negotiating C190 language into workplace agreements and occupational haealth and safety policies regardless of ratification status.

We are also continuing to work with the ITUC and other global unions as part of the global C190 campaign.

Related Resources
Resources

Joint Global Union's Toolkit on C190

This workbook contains sample activities for use by trade union educators, representatives or staff members responsible for training, organising or campaigning on violence and harassment in the world
Resources

C190 FAQs

C190 is the first ever international labour standard that sets a clear framework to end violence and harassment at work. The right to dignity and respect, and the right to work free from violence and