The Supreme Court has urged the federal government to ratify the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Violence and Harassment Convention No 190, the first-ever binding international treaty explicitly addressing eliminating workplace harassment and violence.
In a nine-page judgment, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah observed that the move would reinforce Pakistan's constitutional guarantees of dignity, equality and non-discrimination, strengthen legal protections for workers – particularly women and marginalised groups – and signal a firm commitment to upholding international human rights standards.
The ruling was delivered in a case concerning a male worker who was awarded compulsory retirement as punishment for workplace harassment.
"Pakistan's commitment to eliminating workplace harassment requires stronger alignment with international legal frameworks. While the 2010 Act and the Amendment Act provide a foundation for safeguarding workers against harassment, the country has yet to ratify the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention, which sets a comprehensive global standard for preventing and addressing workplace harassment, ensuring legal accountability, and promoting a culture of dignity and respect," the ruling stated.
A division bench of the apex court, led by Justice Shah and Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi, also directed that a copy of the judgment be sent to the attorney general for Pakistan for consideration regarding the ratification of the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention.
The judgment defines workplace harassment as: "A range of unacceptable behaviours and practices, or threats thereof, whether a single occurrence or repeated, that aim at, result in, or are likely to result in physical, psychological, sexual, or economic harm, and includes gender-based violence and harassment."
The court underscored that workplace harassment remains a pressing global issue, affecting millions of workers across various sectors. According to global statistics, more than one in five workers (22.8% or 743 million people) have experienced some form of workplace violence or harassment.
The judgement noted that women were slightly more likely than men to have faced harassment over their careers. Workplace harassment is not merely an individual grievance, as it is a systemic problem that perpetuates gender inequality by restricting women's economic and professional growth.
According to the Global Gender Gap Index (2024), Pakistan ranks 145th out of 146 countries, making it the second lowest in the world.
"In terms of economic participation, it ranks 142nd, reflecting a deteriorating situation for women in the workforce. These alarming statistics underscore the persistent challenges faced by women in professional settings, particularly in countries with significant gender disparities like Pakistan."
The court observed that the prevalence of workplace harassment not only affects individual well-being but also reinforces systemic gender inequality, limiting women's participation in the workforce and widening economic gaps.
The court noted that workplace harassment and sexual harassment are deeply interconnected, both stemming from power imbalances, systemic discrimination and entrenched societal norms that reinforce gender hierarchies.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ