FSU Urges Government to Support New International Labour Organisation Standards on Combating Violence and Harassment in the Workplace

The Financial Services Union has urged the Government to support current efforts by the ILO to agree new standards on combatting violence and harassment in the workplace.

Member Governments will respond this month to draft standards circulated by the ILO setting new standards to prevent harassment and violence in the workplace.

FSU Acting General Secretary, Gareth Murphy, has written to Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation, Heather Humphreys, TD, urging the Government to support the ILO Convention and Recommendation.

According to Gareth Murphy, “Recent studies confirm that harassment and, indeed violence, are a reality for workers in Ireland.  Worryingly, people from a minority ethnic background are most likely to endure appalling treatment. 

“Staff in the banking and finance sector are also vulnerable to harassment and abuse.  This was particularly acute following the financial crash when frontline staff were often the subject of this type of unacceptable behaviour.  As a result FSU has  a long track record of campaigning for safe and dignified workplaces.  We believe the new ILO standard is a positive step.

“I have written to Minister Humphreys urging her, on behalf of the Government, to continue to engage with ICTU on this important issue and to support the latest ILO initiative.”