Ensuring good treatment: the new features of the Karin Law

Aug 13, 2024 | News | 0 comments

Tags: ALMA

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The newly enacted Law 21.643, also known as the Karin Law, aims to eliminate workplace harassment, sexual harassment, and violence in the workplace. This law came into effect on August 1 in Chile.

The regulation, in line with Convention 190 of the International Labor Organization (ILO) on violence and harassment at work, modifies the regulatory framework that should govern labor relations, aiming to adopt measures that promote equality and eradicate discrimination in the workplace.

The entry into force of this new regulation at the national level reinforces our Code of Ethics and Conduct, which had already integrated a series of rules and behaviors contained in this new law, which “means that we are in an excellent position to address it. Also, due to the multicultural environment of our organization, I think we are quite used to valuing the importance of mutual respect,” says Rafael Mena, our Human Resources Manager. “However, this does not mean that we are free of these situations, so we must always be attentive to stop behaviors that do not promote the development of our culture of Respect, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” he says.
The Karin Law goes to the heart of our values at ALMA, as Valezka Galdames, our RDE&I Officer, says.

“The law seeks to strengthen the protection and promotion of gender equality and non-discrimination in the workplace. It establishes stricter and clearer mechanisms to ensure that women and people of all gender identities can work in an environment free of discrimination and with equal opportunities,” she says.

(In the picture, Valezka with Tahirih Varner, our Ombuds, on her right)

In addition to reinforcing the Code of Ethics, this regulation complements the observatory’s ongoing actions to create a safe working environment, according to Joanna Mackenzie, AUI’s HR Manager. “Even though these concepts already existed in our internal regulation, the new law reinforces a preventive approach that was absent in the sexual harassment regulation to address the prevention, investigation, and sanctioning of workplace harassment, sexual harassment, and violence in the workplace,” she says.
Although our colleagues have only had a few weeks to experience the law, they already welcome it: “The Karin Law is good news. Violence and harassment in the workplace, whatever its nature, is something that should not be tolerated, and the law incorporates positive changes that go in this direction, such as additional procedures and obligations on the employer, which we trust will be implemented soon,” says Victor Gonzalez, our Software Engineer and president of Union 1.
Even so, it is a legislation that we are just beginning to know: “We are currently analyzing the new regulations. However, we are committed to reviewing every aspect of this new law. Once we have a complete evaluation, we will be able to offer a clearer and more responsible vision,” says Aaron Chavez, AUI Travel Supervisor and treasurer of Union 2.
“I think we should take this opportunity to continue to promote good treatment among us. We love astronomy. We love science. We love ALMA. And we also love working in a good working environment. And we must take care of that,” concludes Rafael Mena.
To learn more about the new legal framework, we invite you to participate in one of these online trainings, given by lawyer Osvaldo Parada, which you can find in the invitations sent by Outlook.

● Tuesday, August 13, at 6:00 pm.
● Tuesday, August 20, at 6:00 pm.
● Thursday, August 22, at noon (with simultaneous translation into English).

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