Violence at work in hotels, catering and tourism

Working papers are preliminary documents circulated to stimulate discussion and obtain comments The Sectoral Activities Department is part of the Social Dialogue Sector of the ILO. Its objective is to promote social dialogue at the sectoral level and to facilitate the exchange of information among the ILO's constituents on labour and social developments concerning particular economic sectors. One of its means of action is practically oriented research on topical sectoral issues. This publication is an outcome of that research. The particular characteristics of the various primary, manufacturing and service sectors account for the different form taken in them by issues such as globalization, flexible work organization, industrial relations, the implications of structural and technological change, trends in the number and nature of jobs, and the situation of special groups such as children and women workers. The Sectoral Activities Department is the ILO's interface with its constituents at the sectoral level. Continuing attention is given to 22 industries or sectors dealing with: These sectors are vital in virtually all national economies. Issues concerning other sectors or sub-sectors are addressed on an ad hoc basis. Among the principal activities of the Sectoral Activities Department is the holding of international sectoral meetings that provide a forum for discussion and an exchange of views on current issues in the sector concerned. Sectoral meetings are generally tripartite, with equal participation by governments, employers and workers. Where the government is the predominant employer, however, participation reflects this. From time to time, meetings also take the form of seminars or specialized meetings of experts. An outcome of most meetings is agreed conclusions that serve as guidelines for policies and measures for dealing with the issues and problems – at the national level and by the ILO. The Department undertakes follow-up activities to these meetings and provides various forms of technical assistance, including the promotion of tripartite sectoral dialogue on priority labour issues at national level, and the provision of advisory services on sectoral labour issues. It also collects, analyses and disseminates technical sectoral information and carries out studies, such as this one, on issues of concern to particular sectors or groups of sectors. Preface The ILO's Sectoral Activities Department commissioned this Working Paper in preparation for a Meeting of experts, to be held from 8 to 15 October 2003 in Geneva, which is intended to consider and review a draft and to adopt a Code of practice …