European Commisison: Proposal for a Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence

On 8 March, the European Commission published a proposal for a directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence (see press release). This proposal is very timid in cases where violence is perpetrated in the workplace or affects the employment relationship.
It is noteworthy that there is no reference to ILO convention 190 on violence and harassment at work. More specifically, no protection is provided under employment law for female employees who are victims of marital violence. Lastly, the proposal raises the prospect of making external counselling services available to victims and employers, in cases of sexual harassment at work.
However, one article is devoted to training: persons with supervisory functions in the workplace, in both the public and private sectors, shall receive training on how to recognise, prevent and address sexual harassment at work, including on risk assessments concerning occupational safety and health risks, to provide support to victims affected thereby and respond in an adequate manner. Those persons and employers shall receive “information about the effects of violence against women and domestic violence on work and the risk of third-party violence”.
The European Trade Union Confederation welcomes the text but expresses disappointment at the lack of emphasis on providing protection in the workplace and at the absence of any reference to the use of collective bargaining as a tool for creating safer workplaces (see press release). It should be noted that the Commission proposes to make cyber-harassment and incitement to violence or hatred online, a criminal offence.
(Article published in IR Note 182 of 23 March 2022)