Awareness on ILO Convention C190 Concerning the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work
Organisation: Revolutionary Existence for Human Development (RED)
Venue: RED Office 2 / 15 Awariyawattha Katunayake
Participants: 20 garment factory workers from the Katunayake Free Trade Zone
Resource Person: Mr. Kalpa Maduranga
Date – 2026.05.24
A one-day awareness workshop on ILO Convention C190 concerning the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work was organized by Revolutionary Existence for Human Development (RED) at its office in Katunayake, Sri Lanka.
The participants were 20 garment factory workers from the Katunayake Free Trade Zone and this awareness workshop was Facilitated by resource person Mr. Kalpa Maduranga trade unionist as well as social activist .
The workshop began with an ice‑breaking activity where participants shared their understanding of work‑related terms such as labour laws, trade unions, and gender. There after key distinction was made between sex (biological attributes) and gender (socially constructed roles and expectations), including a discussion on gender stereotypes.
The session highlighted how ILO Convention C190, adopted in 2019, is the first global legal instrument to eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work.
Futher they were educated Sri Lanka ratified the Convention on 16 April 2026, becoming the 55th country worldwide and the second in South Asia after Bangladesh.
Participants learned that violence and harassment include physical, psychological, sexual, and economic harm, and that the Convention protects all workers—formal and informal, permanent, temporary, contract, trainees, volunteers, dismissed workers, and job seekers.
There it was discussed The anti‑harassment law applies not only in the workplace but also in restrooms, canteens, changing rooms, work‑related travel, training sessions, social activities, employer‑provided accommodation, while working from home, during commuting, and in cases of cyber harassment via phone or digital platforms.
The workshop concluded that as a ratifying country, Sri Lanka requires joint action by government, employers, and workers to establish official workplace anti‑harassment policies
Finally the participants understood the important of how the workers must organize themselves through trade unions to collectively build a respectful working environment.
A training workshop on the Maternity Benefits Ordinance
On 7 June 2026, a training workshop on the Maternity Benefits Ordinance No. 32 of 1939 was conducted at the RED Head Office, for 20 female workers aimed at addressing the widespread lack of awareness regarding maternity rights among the predominantly young female workforce of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry in general .
This was conducted by veteran Trade unionist Mr. Asela Dharmapriya and Assisted by Ms. Mathu Sridaran a social activist
The employs over one million workers. The workshop was prompted by concerns that limited knowledge of legal protections often leads to unfair labour practices, poor working conditions, and weak enforcement of labour laws.
This one‑day program used lectures, group work, case studies, and interactive discussions to cover key aspects of the Ordinance, including its objectives and coverage
It begun the requirement for workers to give notice of confinement to their employer in the inception and further discussed the matters of maternity leave entitlements for live births and stillbirth or viable foetus, maternity benefit payments, nursing intervals, the prohibition of engaging pregnant workers in injurious work, protection against termination of employment due to pregnancy, and other special provisions and alternative maternity benefits.
There were some group work discussions and made them aware security for pregnant workers under Sri Lankan labour laws, mandatory facilities that employers must provide during pre‑ and post‑natal periods, and the legal actions workers can take if their rights are violated,
With this group work participants identified several persistent challenges: unfair workplace practices against pregnant mothers, concerns related to maternal mental health, the absence of paternity leave provisions in most private‑sector
The workshop successfully strengthened participants’ understanding of maternity rights and labour protections which certainly lead to contribute to the promotion of decent work and gender‑sensitive practices in the apparel sector by emphasizing An informed female worker is a powerful woman who can safeguard her own rights not only her but also her colleagues
