22 November, 2018In the last year, nearly 100 affiliated unions have taken IndustriALL’s pledge to end violence and harassment against women in the workplace.
“Join the USW in saying no to violence, harassment against women!” Once US affiliate United Steelworkers’ executive board adopted the pledge, the union created a digital petition and sent e-mail blasts encouraging signatures to support pledge. The union makes sure that the act of signing is well understood and publicized by and within the union. USW is regularly promoting the pledge on social media, as well as presenting it at Women of Steel, local union meetings, and gender discrimination and anti-harassment trainings. The Pledge has been shared with all civil and human rights coordinators, all local union civil and human rights chairs. Many of USW leadership include the Pledge in remarks at various union functions.
In South East Asia, trade unions are developing ways to sensitise members to violence against women. In the Philippines, the issue is integrated into all affiliates’ education programmes, directed at both men and women. During the trainings, the Pledge in presented together with the existing law on violence and harassment.
After adopting IndustriALL’s pledge, the Nicaraguan textile and garment federation FESITEX, launched a campaign called Trade unions and companies, say no to violence and harassment in the world of work. Through the campaign, unions want to encourage employers to work with trade unions to eradicate violence in the workplace. The campaign also wants to raise awareness among women workers in the garment factories in the export processing zones, as well organize workers who are not yet union members.
More affiliates are taking the Pledge. South Korean metalworkers union, KMWU, recently adopted it to mark 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. KMWU reiterates their "commitment to building a culture that respects women and condemns all attitudes and actions that perpetuate sexism and violence".
IndustriALL is calling on affiliates to take action on 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Adopt and share the Pledge!