KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 -- A women's rights group today criticised the government and the Malaysian Trades Unions Congress' (MTUC) decision to abstain from supporting an international treaty on harassment at work.

The All Women's Action Society (Awam) said that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) treaty in Geneva, which addresses sexual harassment in the workplace, was a step towards making workplaces more accessible for women.

"Ensuring that women feel welcome and safe at the workplace is a serious concern - not only from an economic point of view but also to ensure that women earn a living wage and are able to make financial decisions independently.

"There is no point in creating a quota or opportunities for women if basic requ...