Italy: Combatting sexual harassment – trade unions keep pressure on Marriott

IUF affiliates Filcams-Cgil, Fisascat-Cisl and Uiltucs-Uil met with Marriott Italy on June 28 to discuss policies to fight sexual harassment at Marriott’s nine luxury Italian hotels. The unions’ demands included proposals for swift action on reported incidents, appropriate sanctions of harassers including guests, and appropriate support to victims.

The meeting confirmed “the high importance of joint active vigilance, that reports shall be treated with discretion, impartiality and confidentiality, and if confirmed harassers should be sanctioned firmly and severely.”

Marriott claimed it has strict policies in place to prevent sexual harassment, discrimination and human trafficking, stating “employees have to be able to carry out their business in safety and without fear.” However, the IUF and its affiliates do not accept this unilateral approach and continue to demand joint, negotiated action to combat sexual harassment.

Cristian Sesena, Secretary for Filcams-Cgil tourism sector commented “This is a small but relevant step on an issue that Marriott Corporate considers to lie exclusively within its own sphere, as shown by its rejection of  the IUF’s demand to sign a protocol of common action at the global level”.