The ITUC-Asia Pacific is deeply saddened and outraged by the brutal rape and murder of Dr. Moumita Debnath, a dedicated second-year graduate student and doctor-in-training at a government hospital in Kolkata, India.
“Gender-based violence (GBV) has no place in any society, particularly in the workplace, where safety should be an unquestioned right,” said ITUC-Asia Pacific General Secretary Shoya Yoshida. “The murder of Dr Debnath is a stark reminder of the pervasive challenges that women face daily. It is a call to action that we cannot and should not ignore.”
Consistent with its longstanding campaign to end violence and harassment in the world of work, the ITUC-Asia Pacific is urging all affiliates to step up their efforts to combat GBV and to unite in demanding systemic changes that will protect the dignity of all workers. Employers must make the safety and well-being of their workers a top priority, understanding that a safe and respectful workplace is essential for both decent work and productivity.
“The ILO Convention No. 155 and No. 187 on Occupational Health and Safety, together with the ILO Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment (C190) and its accompanying Recommendation 206, provide the necessary framework for initiating meaningful systemic change to fostering workplaces that not only protect workers’ safety, but also uphold their dignity,” Yoshida emphasised. “Safety must be an inherent right, not something workers should have to demand.”
The ITUC-Asia Pacific also issues a strong call to governments to take immediate action to protect their citizens from violence and harassment, particularly in the workplace. “We demand the ratification and implementation of C190 and the enforcement of laws that ensure the safety of all workers, especially the most vulnerable,” Yoshida stated. “Governments must lead by example and create environments where safety is not just an aspiration but a lived reality for all.”
“We cannot remain silent in the face of such atrocities. We are failing women and their families when we allow GBV to persist in any form. This failure is most acutely felt and experienced by those in isolated, informal, or precarious jobs—women who often lack access to unions or support systems.”
The ITUC-Asia Pacific stands in full solidarity with Dr. Debnath’s family, the medical community, and all those experiencing GBV. The organisation urges the public to join in this fight. “We must turn our grief into a powerful force for change,” Yoshida concluded. “It is our collective duty to ensure workplace safety. Together, we can build a world of work that is safe, decent, and free from violence and harassment for everyone.”
%20(1).png)
.jpg)
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
.png)
.png)
.png)
%201.svg)
