On the 76th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 2024, IUF affiliated-Federation of Hotel, Restaurant, Plaza, Apartment, Catering, and Tourism Workers’ Free Union (FSPM) joined a protest action at the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower to demand the urgent ratification of ILO Convention No. 190. Since this last November, the FSPM and other 20 trade unions and women organizations have been intensifying their campaign, after months of study since the convention adoption, to push the government to implement their responsibility in protecting workers’ rights to a safe workplace free from all form of violence and harassment.
A poster reads “Say NO to violence in the workplace”
Under an alliance named Jaringan Advokasi Konvensi ILO 190 (JAK KILO 190), those organizations make use of social media to promote and raise people awareness on the importance of the convention. The national action on December 10 was used as a momentum to convey their demand for government seriousness for comprehensive regulations that are inclusive that guarantee the protection for all workers.
A day before the protest action, on December 9, the alliance held a press release to announce their statement. They highlighted the lack of action done by the government on initial step to ratify the convention, even though harassment and violence in the world of work continue to occur in Indonesia. The alliance also mentioned several examples of harassment and violence happened in various sectors. A survey conducted by one of the alliance members showed that at least 1 of 23 workers have experienced a sexual violence and harassment at work.
Brother Galih Tri Panjalu, General Secretary of FSPM, emphasized the need of the convention ratification for the promotion of human dignity and to form a bigger alliance that have the same goal.
FSPM participation in the mobilization and campaign reflects their commitment to realize a decent and safer workplace for all workers, especially for women workers to be protected against gender-based violence and discrimination that can stop them exercising gender equality at work.
Sister Esther Octavia Titaley, representive of FSPM Women’s Committee, gave a speech on the protest action