UNI Americas and affiliates in Dominican Republic launch campaign to ratify ILO Convention 190

Santo Domingo, 22 November 2024 – UNI Americas and its affiliates in the Dominican Republic – the National Union of Dominican Nursing Services (UNASED), the National Federation of Women Workers (FENAMUTRA) and the Federation of Free Trade Zones and Related Workers (FEDOTRAZONAS) – in collaboration with USAID, launched the “Awareness Campaign for the Ratification of ILO Convention 190,” as part of the Together We Care activity.

Through coordination between the trade union movement and various governmental and social actors, the campaign will show the importance of ratifying ILO Convention 190 against harassment and violence in the world of work. This initiative is backed by UNI Global Union through Together We Care, a groundbreaking initiative to enhance women’s economic security by fostering a skilled, empowered workforce in the health and care sectors supported by USAID, the Ford Foundation and the CARE Fund.

Marcio Monzane, UNI Americas Regional Secretary, said: “The ratification of Convention 190 is a fundamental step towards eradicating violence and harassment in the world of work. At UNI Americas, we are committed to creating safe and dignified spaces for all workers, and this campaign in the Dominican Republic is a major step towards that goal.”

Ruth Diaz, President of FENAMUTRA, said: “Violence and harassment at work are invisible problems that mainly affect women workers. With this campaign, we seek to raise awareness and promote a fair and safe working environment, where all people can progress in their development without fear.”

Francisco Garcia, President of UNASED, said: “This joint effort is a unique opportunity to push for the ratification of Convention 190, which will protect the rights and dignity of thousands of Dominican workers.”

Ygnacio Hernandez, President FEDOTRAZONAS, said: “Free trade zone workers, including call centre workers, face unique pressures and risks in their work environment. This campaign is crucial to ensure that they have the legal backing they need to work in a safe environment, free from violence and harassment.”

Additionally, Mayra Jiménez, Minister of Women in the Dominican Republic (MMUJER), stressed the need to consolidate regulatory efforts to eradicate workplace violence. She said that the Ministry of Women’s Affairs had submitted a favourable report to the Domican

Republic’s Congress to promote C190’s ratification., which is a fundamental response of the State to ensure decent work and a safe and violence-free working environment.

Participating in the launching ceremony were Altagracia De los Santos, Deputy for Santo Domingo East; Enrique Arias, representative of the President of the Senate Chamber; Francisca Jiménez, Representative of CSI and CSA; Gertrudis Santana, representative of CIMTRA; Rosa Matos, Director of Transversality of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs; Melina Zaiz, in charge of the Legislative Agenda for Equality of the Ministry of Women; Alexandra León, Technician of the Gender Department of the Ministry of Health; as well as union leaders Luca Zaiz and Luca Zaiz; Melina Zaiz, Head of the Legislative Agenda for Equality of the Ministry of Women; Alexandra de León, Technician of the Gender Department of the Ministry of Health; as well as union leaders, Lucía Lindner, Regional Director of UNI Americas Care, and Andrea García, Coordinator of UNI Americas Equal Opportunities.

UNI Americas, is the regional arm of UNI Global Union, which represents more than twenty million workers in the service and related sectors worldwide.

USAID, from the American people, leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance and help people progress beyond assistance. Along with Ford Foundation and the CARE Fund, USAID supports the Together We Care activity.

Together We Care is driving structural change by strengthening collective representation, improving women’s economic security through bargaining and promoting safer and violence-free working environments. Our aim is to achieve a greater presence of health and care workers in trade unions, led by women leaders, that ensure better wages and working conditions and reduce inequalities in the workplace.