Better laws to eliminate violence and harassment in the field of work

Improving protections against harassment and violence in the field of work has passed another stage in the legislative process and is now in the hands of the elected members of parliament. On December 11, 2025, the Government adopted three draft laws through which it aligns the Labour Code, the Law on Safety and Health at Work, and the Law on the establishment and organization of the Labour Inspectorate with the standards of the International Labour Organization’s Convention on Harassment and Violence #C190, which Romania ratified in 2024 following the #EmployersForRespect campaign.

“This legislative package is an example that by collaborating with non-governmental organizations and unions, the government can respond to needs that would otherwise remain unseen or ignored and can access quality expertise.” (Camelia Proca, director of A.L.E.G.)

“We will continue to closely follow the legislative path of these draft laws, to which we contributed together with our NGO and trade union partners in the inter-ministerial working group coordinated by the Prime Minister’s Office in 2024,” emphasizes Bianca Drotleff, co-initiator of the #EmployersForRespect campaign.

As shown by the most recent and extensive European study in the field, gender-based violence affects women in all areas of life, including at work, where a third of them still face sexual harassment. A healthy working environment is, first and foremost, a right for workers. However, it is also a necessity for employers and for the state.Work environments that tolerate harassment and violence lose in terms of cooperation and teamwork, performance and staff stability, with the costs being felt through absenteeism, litigation, or damaged reputation. In addition, violence and harassment also generate costs for the state. These are felt by public services (police, social services, medical services, etc.) and have a negative effect on GDP due to job loss or economic unproductivity. It is estimated that violence and harassment can contribute to losses of between 1 and 3.5% of GDP.

Strengthening the legislative framework and its implementation is fundamental to eliminating violence and harassment in the field of work. We hope to see these normative acts implemented soon, with an impact on people’s lives.