Anyone at the workplace can be subject to harassment, including sexual harassment and bullying. Each and every form of workplace harassment will disadvantage all parties. For workers, it can result in poor performance, which subsequently reduces work productivity and affects the welfare of the workers and their families. As Better Work’s research has shown, increased turnover rates and low productivity can potentially affect the economic competitiveness of factories. Harassment in garment factories has been highlighted as a problematic issue by international activists and made headlines in international media. Violations, as well as mere rumours about problems of workplace harassment, can seriously impact the relationship between international, reputation-conscious buyers and factories. It is, therefore, our common concern to create a positive working environment through the prevention of workplace harassment.
Such circumstances demand that concrete measures are introduced to offer workers more protection from harassment. It is for this reason that Better Work Indonesia has developed these Guidelines on the Prevention of Workplace Harassment. These Guidelines are not legally binding, nevertheless, they provide critical guidance and may be referred to by employers, workers and enterprises who are attempting to prevent and effectively respond to workplace harassment.