NUJ welcomes UK ratification of treaty on prevention of violence at work
Michelle Stanistreet said: “No-one should have to put up with violence and intimidation for just doing their job."
Commenting on the announcement by Thérèse Coffey, Work and Pensions Secretary, that the UK government has ratified the International Labour Organization’s Violence and Harassment Convention, Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said:
“This is a welcome development. Following the government’s own survey which found that four in five journalists have experienced threats and violence at work and that more than one in three female respondents said they did not feel safe operating as a journalist in the UK, it is timely.
“No-one should have to put up with violence and intimidation for just doing their job. There must be a zero-tolerance approach, with greater protections for all workers including journalists.
“The NUJ is a member of the government’s National Committee for the Safety of Journalists and is working on an action plan to protect journalists, but there also needs to be laws and workplace policies to prevent abuse and punish those responsible, and the recognition that certain groups such as frontline staff, women, Black workers and those with other protected characteristics face greater risks.”
Four in five journalists have experienced threats and violence at work