The Ministry of Public Service has begun a process to develop new
guidelines to address violence, harassment and sexual exploitation in
the workplace, with the aim of creating a safer and more inclusive
working environment for public servants.
The initiative forms part of a four-day training of the Ministry of Public
Service Committee on International Labour Organisation (ILO)
Convention 190, which seeks to eliminate violence and harassment in
the world of work.
Speaking at the training, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public
Service, Mrs. Makhoabane Ledimo, said the process is necessary to
ensure that public servants are protected from workplace violence,
harassment and abuse.
She said the committee has a crucial responsibility to ensure that the
guidelines address the challenges workers face and aligned with
international labour standards.
Mrs.Ledimo said the government’s commitment to addressing
workplace harassment is strengthened by collaboration with the ILO
and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). She added that the
committee is expected to produce guidelines that will help create
workplaces free from violence and harassment.
Organised labour representative, Mr. Mathafeng Moteuli, said workers
continued to experience harassment in their workplaces, making the
development of effective guidelines necessary. He said organised
labour welcomed the Ministry’s initiative and is ready to work with the
government to combat sexual harassment. Mr .Moteuli called for
collective efforts to ensure that the guidelines are disseminated across

workplaces and institutions, adding that workers deserve a safe
working environment.
Meanwhile, UNFPA assistant representative, Mrs. Mots'elisi Phakisi,
said addressing gender-based violence and sexual harassment requires
a coordinated approach involving government and other institutions.
She said the review process should consider the daily realities of public
servants and ensure that workplace policies protect employees at all
levels, including senior officials. Mrs. Phakisi said violence and
harassment can affect workers’ mental well-being and productivity,
ultimately compromising the quality of public service delivery.
ILO representative, Mrs. Ida Tsitsi Chimedza, said eliminating violence
and harassment is central to the organisation’s mandate of promoting
decent work for all. She said Lesotho is the first country that has ratified
ILO Convention 190, accompanied by Recommendation 206, which
provide a framework for addressing violence and harassment in the
world of work.
Mrs.Chimedza said the ILO estimated that one in five people globally
has experienced violence and harassment at work, with psychological
violence being the most prevalent form. She noted that women are
disproportionately affected, particularly by sexual harassment, adding
that such conduct undermined workers’ well-being, productivity,
morale and trust.
The initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with the ILO and
UNFPA to strengthen the prevention of violence, harassment and
sexual exploitation in the public service.