Union Cabinet Approves Bill for Protection of Women at Work Place

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the Protection of Women against sexual Harrasment at work place bill 2010, that ensures a safe environment for women at work place, both in the public and private sectors, in the organized and unorganized sectors. The Bill, to be introduced in Parliament in the coming session beginning next week, will help in achieving gender empowerment and equality. Domestic help have, however, been kept out of the purview of the proposed law that also proposes a fine of Rs.50,000 if found violating the provisions of the law. The move will contribute to realization of their right to gender equality, life and liberty, and equality in working conditions every where. The sense of security will improve women’s participation in work,resulting in their economic empowerment and inclusive growth. The Bill proposes a definition of sexual harassment,as laid down by the Supreme Court in Visakha v/s State of Rajasthan (1977). Aditionally, it recognizes the promise or threat to a woman’s employment prospects or creation of hostile work environment as sexual harassment at work place and seeks to prohibit such acts. It provides protection not only to women who are employed but also to any woman who enters the workplace as a client, customer, apprentice,daily wage worker, or in adhoc capacity, students, research scholars in colleges/universities and patients in hospitals have also been covered
The Bill provides for an effective complaints and redressal mechanism. Under the proposed bill, every employer is required to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee, Since a large number of the establishments in the country have less than 10 workersfor whom it may not be feasible to set up an Internal Complaints Committee, it provides for setting up of Local Complaints Committee to be constituted by the designated District Officer at the district or sub district levels, as the need be. This twin mechanism would ensure that women in any workplace, irrespective of its size or nature, have access to a redressal mechanism. The LCCs will enquire in to the complaints of sexual harassment and recommend action to the employer or District Officer, Since there is a possibility that during the pendency of the enquiry the woman may be subjected to threat and aggression, she has been given the option to seek interim relief in the form of transfer either of her own or the respondent or seek leave from work. The complaint committees are required to complete the enquiry with in 90 days and a period of 60 days has been given to the employer/ District Officer for implementation of the recommendations of the Committee. The Bill provides for safe guards in the case of false or malicious complaint of sexual harassment. However, mere inability to substantiate the complaint or provide adequate proof would not make the complainant liable for punishment.