Law to check sexual harassment at workplace soon

July 5, 2010

The Draft of the Bill is ready and is in the final stage of consultations and

will be tabled in the Monsoon Session of the Parliament

Published on 07/05/2010

New Delhi: A Bill on prevention of sexual harassment of women at the workplace

will be introduced in the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning July 26 this

month, Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath said.

" We are expecting to table the Bill in the coming Monsoon Session. The Draft of

the Bill is ready and is in the final stage of consultations, " Tirath said,

reports IANS.

The Minister said that the legislation will put pressure on the private sector,

which has so far not been prompt in taking steps to check harassment of women

workers.

It also includes a clause which brings students, research scholars, patients and

women in the unorganised sector within the ambit of the proposed law.

" Many private organisations still don't have a committee for addressing the

grievances of women in sexual harassment cases. The proposed law will see that a

committee headed by a woman is present in every firm to address such cases, " she

said.

" A penalty will be imposed on those who fail to follow the guidelines. If

private organisations don't meet the rules strict action will be taken against

them, " Tirath added.

The Bill envisages that every workplace, whether in the organised or the

unorganised sector, should have a forum to take up complaints pertaining to

sexual harassment.

In the case of the organised sector, there will be internal complaint

committees, in the absence of which a penalty, including deregistration of the

institutions or a fine of Rs 50,000 for first offence, will be imposed.

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