Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how the Government plans to support the effective adoption of a Convention on making women and men safe at work (a) within and (b) outside of the ambit of International Labour Organisation’s Questionnaire.

The Government welcomes the International Labour Organisation’s initiative on ‘Ending Violence and Harassment for Women and Men at Work’ and will continue its close engagement with social partners in the UK and ILO members in seeking an outcome that reflects the key challenges and builds on UK good practice.

In the UK, the law requires employers to assess the risks to employees, including the risk of reasonably foreseeable violence, decide how significant those risks are and implement preventative or control measures. The law is underpinned by an effective regulatory framework, extensive guidance and information for employers and employees, and a social partner agreement, all aimed at preventing workplace harassment and violence.

The UK is also leading the way internationally in efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, generating world-leading innovation and evidence on the most effective interventions.