Lithuanian government backs proposal to ratify convention on eliminating violence and harassment at work
The Lithuanian government has approved a proposal to ask President Gitanas Nausėda to submit a convention on eliminating violence and harassment in the workplace for ratification by the Seimas, LRT reports.
The move aims to fulfil Lithuania’s obligations as a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO), which it joined in 1921 (with membership renewed in 1991), and the European Union (EU).
The convention establishes universal standards and measures for combating workplace harassment and violence, requiring states to implement policies that prevent and eliminate such behaviour. It covers all individuals linked to the workplace, including volunteers, interns, jobseekers, employers, and third parties.
According to the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, the convention addresses violence and harassment in all work-related settings—workplaces, payment locations, rest areas, work-related travel, training, events, and digital communication. It also recognises the impact of domestic violence on work performance and safety, calling for protective measures.
The ministry emphasised that the convention strengthens protections for victims, raises awareness, and defines the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers. States that ratify it must ensure access to effective legal remedies, mitigate the effects of domestic violence on work, and allow workers to leave situations posing an immediate threat of violence or harassment.
Ratification is expected to improve workplace safety, psychological well-being, and trust in employment relations, ultimately boosting productivity and organisational competitiveness, the ministry stated.
Adopted by the ILO in 2019 and entering into force in 2021, the convention has been ratified by over 50 ILO member states, including 14 EU countries: Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Greece, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Portugal, France, Romania, Finland, and Germany.