News

UNI Global Union joins the ILO in calling for LGBT rights to be fully recognised and respected in the workplace.  The theme of this year’s International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia is mental health, marking 26 years to the day that the WHO declassified homosexuality as a psychiatric disorder. This was a turning point in attitudes towards LGBT people. Today over 60 ILO countries prohibit discrimination at work on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Equal Opportunities Department joins the efforts by launching a new phase of the That’s Why Campaign (http://en.uni-iwd.org/community/around) against LGBTI discrimination. Because we are all workers, because we are all different and yet we are all the same. Unions can help fight discrimination at the workplace. Join us in raising our voices against discrimination by sharing our posters and our hashtag.

UNI Global Union General Secretary Philip Jennings said, “LGBT rights have come a long way in the last 26 years but we recognise there is still far to go until all prejudice is wiped out in the workplace. LGBT rights and worker rights are both part of basic human rights and must be respected as such. UNI Global Union stands up for LGBT rights across the world.”

ILO Director General Guy Ryder said "Today, on this International Day I would underline the fundamental importance of social justice and decent work as a key element of positive mental health and well-being of LGBT persons, and an essential expression of LGBT rights."

The ILO reports that the vast majority of LGBT workers keep their sexual orientation a secret, often resulting in considerable stress and depression. However, people who have come out at work have fewer symptoms of anxiety, depression and burnout. And a central factor in the decision to come out at work is a supportive environment with proactive diversity and inclusion policies.

The global community has addressed all forms of discrimination, including LGBT rights, in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, vowing that “no one should be left behind”.  However, despite this positive message many countries still promote the ridiculous and dangerous idea that being LGBT is a “sickness” that needs to be cured.

This International Day is an opportunity for all decent people to stand up and say that the criminalization of LGBT workers is wrong and unacceptable.