David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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482. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the draft convention on violence and harassment in the world of work; his plans to propose amendments to the convention; if so, whether he has informed the International Labour Organisation, ILO, of these prior to the 8 November 2018 deadline; and if so, the details of the amendments. [45617/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the ILO is the UN agency with responsibility for employment matters with a unique tripartite nature in which Governments, Workers and Employers have an equal voice. Ireland is currently a Titulaire (voting) member of the Governing Body of the ILO for the first time since we joined the ILO in 1923.

The proposed ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, and accompanying draft Recommendation, is being finalised over a two year discussion at the ILO’s International Labour Conference (ILC). The first discussion took place at the ILC which took place in May/June of this year, and the final discussion will take place at next year’s International Labour Conference, which will coincide with the ILO’s centenary year.

Ireland was represented at this year’s ILO ILC by a tripartite delegation comprising representatives of my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality, ICTU and IBEC, and Ireland had tripartite representation on the ILC Committee on Violence and Harassment.

The Government response to the ILO report containing the draft Convention and Recommendation on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work is currently being finalised by officials from my Department, in consultation with the Workplace Relations Commission and the Health and Safety Authority, and with the Department of Justice and Equality. We are also consulting with the social partners, ICTU and Ibec and any proposed amendments to the text of the draft Convention and Recommendation will be discussed with the social partners prior to transmission to the ILO.

Ireland considers that the adoption of a convention on combatting Violence and Harassment in the World of Work, which is as widely ratifiable as possible, would be a very fitting way to mark the centenary of the ILO and will work to this end.