The Government approves the protocol of action against sexual harassment in the AGE and public agencies
07/03/2024
The text has been agreed with the trade union representatives at the Negotiating Table of the General State Administration
The extraordinary Council of Ministers, held today on the occasion of International Women’s Day, has approved a Royal Decree, promoted by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service and by the Ministry of Equality, which approves the Protocol on Action against Sexual Harassment and Harassment on the Basis of Sex within the General State Administration (AGE) and its public agencies.
The protocol reaches the Council of Ministers after having been previously agreed with the representatives of public employees at the Negotiating Table of the General State Administration and, in particular, at the Technical Commission for Equal Opportunities and Treatment between Women and Men. In addition, it complies with the obligations acquired in two organic laws: LO 3/2007 for the effective equality of women and men and LO 10/2022 for the comprehensive guarantee of sexual freedom. With regard to its scope of application, the protocol will apply to all personnel of the General State Administration and public agencies and also to people who provide services or collaborate with the AGE or with some of its agencies, such as people in training, those who perform non-work practices, etc. The general objective of the protocol is to avoid possible situations of sexual harassment and harassment on the basis of sex in the General Administration of the State and in the bodies linked to or dependent on it, and to address them effectively in the event that they occur. To this end, eight specific objectives are developed:
Among the principles enshrined in the Protocol is that of the obligation of public employees to report cases of possible sexual harassment or harassment on the basis of sex that they know, for which a simple and confidential mechanism must be established; the obligation for the administration to attend to and process, where appropriate, the notifications it receives on cases of sexual harassment or harassment on the basis of sex, within its competence, ensuring that its actions do not deprotect the victim; and the need to undertake the actions quickly, ensuring - except justified exceptions - that a report on the case will be prepared within 10 days from the communication or request for activation of the protocol.
The entry into force of the protocol will take place within six months of the publication of this RD in the BOE. At that time, each ministerial department and public body must adapt the protocol to their specific needs and ensure its effective implementation, through working procedures, instructions or other appropriate tools.