Republic of Zambia
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Press Release (For Immediate release)
ZAMBIA DEPOSITS Instrument of Ratification FOR COONVENTION 190
Lusaka, 24th January, 2025…Zambia has today deposited the Ratification of the International
Labour Organization Convention on Violence and Harassment, 2019 (C190) at the ILO
Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
On August 13, 2024 Government endorsed the International Labour Organisation Convention on
Violence and Harassment, 2019 (C190) on 13th August, 2024 which is aimed at addressing
violence and harassment in the Work place.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, M.P signed the
Instrument of Ratification Last year and the same was registered on 13th December, 2024 by the
ILO Director-General Mr Gilbert Houngbo.
The Convention 190 is an international treaty signed by Ilo member countries tailored to eradicate
all forms of violence and harassment in the world of work, which may result into demoralization,
ineptitude and low self- esteem among the affected victims if left unattended.
Convention 190 is also focused on protecting workers, volunteers, apprentices, job seekers and
interns in both the public and private sector.
The treaty is accompanied by Recommendation No. 206, which sets measures to stop violence and
harassment through domestication in policies and existing legislation, promote gender-sensitive
blueprint to fight harassment, provide support to victims, hold perpetrators accountable.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Switzerland Eunice M.T. Luambia, on behalf of the Government of
Zambia, handed over the Instrument of Ratification to Mr Houngbo in the presence of Zambia’s
secretary legal, Ms Ms. Musonda C. Ulaya.
Speaking during the Depository Ceremony, Mr Houngbo was delighted that, Zambia had made
stride in promoting decent work by endorsing the convention, making it the 47th Country out of
the total ILO membership to sign the treaty; and was the tenth Country in Africa to ratify the
Instrument.
The ILO Director-General hoped that the ratification by Zambia would encourage other countries
to do the same.
Ambassador Ulambia assured the ILO Director-General that Zambia was committed to
eliminatingof workplace violence and harassment to set up a strong and dynamic middle-income
industrial Nation, that provides equitable opportunities for improving the well-being of workers.
“From a gender perspective, this occasion is even more nostalgic for me as I reflect on the progress
made so far in the advancement of gender-equality, and yet profound inequalities still persist
particularly for rights of women and girls in the world of work,” said Ambassador Ulambia.
“Convention 190 acknowledges the fact that gender-based violence and harassment
disproportionately affects women and girls. Overall, Zambia acknowledges that workplace
violence and harassment negatively impacts workers’ health and safety and their overall wellbeing,
which in turn diminishes productivity and thus impedes economic gains and progress.”
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security reiterates its obligation to end violence and Harassment
in the world of work, in line with the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals to promote
gender equality and decent work for all.
Government therefore calls for concerted effort among employers, Trade Unions, and other
stakeholders in raising awareness about the rights of employees and employers under convention
190, by providing support to victims of violence and harassment; and employers should see to it
they review and update their internal policies, so that they can tally with the provisions of the
convention in attaining the zero tolerance for violence and harassment.
Government will see to it that it raises awareness about the effects of violence, provide training for
human resource officers and set framework to end all forms of violence and harassment.
Issued by:
(Original Signed Copy)
Mwaka Ndawa(Miss)
Principal Public Relations Officer.
