Parliamentary Approval for Workplace Harassment Bill
New Delhi: Parliamentary approval was accorded Tuesday to a bill seeking to provide protection to women from sexual harassment at the workplace, including millions of unorganized workers like domestic help. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Bill, 2012, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. It was approved by the lower house in September 2012.
Offenses Covered Under the Bill
The bill covers, among its list of offenses, sexual remarks, demands for sexual favors, or any act of physical advance or an unwelcome touch. While presenting the bill in the upper house, Women and Child Empowerment Minister Krishna Tirath said the bill will encompass both organized and unorganized sectors, including domestic workers.
"The aim is that women are able to work freely, whether it is in the workplace in an organized or unorganized sector," Tirath said. The bill mandates an internal complaint committee for any organization with 10 or more employees. For an employer not following this, the penalty will be Rs. 50,000. Repeated violations may lead to higher penalties and the cancellation of a license or registration to conduct business.
Provisions for False Complaints
However, in the case of a false or malicious complaint, the bill provides for action against the complainant following service rules and in any other manner if no service rules exist. The bill covers not only employees but also clients, customers, apprentices, or daily wage workers who enter the workplace.
Applicability of the Bill
Its provisions will also apply to private sector organizations, societies, trusts, educational institutions, NGOs, and service providers of commercial, professional, or entertainment activities. It will also cover the unorganized sector where the number of workers is less than 10.
The bill covers, among its list of offenses, sexual remarks, demands for sexual favors, or any act of physical advance or an unwelcome touch.
New Delhi: Parliamentary approval was accorded Tuesday to a bill seeking to provide protection to women from sexual harassment at the workplace, including millions of unorganized workers like domestic help. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Bill, 2012, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. It was approved by the lower house in September 2012.
Offenses Covered Under the Bill
The bill covers, among its list of offenses, sexual remarks, demands for sexual favors, or any act of physical advance or an unwelcome touch. While presenting the bill in the upper house, Women and Child Empowerment Minister Krishna Tirath said the bill will encompass both organized and unorganized sectors, including domestic workers.
"The aim is that women are able to work freely, whether it is in the workplace in an organized or unorganized sector," Tirath said. The bill mandates an internal complaint committee for any organization with 10 or more employees. For an employer not following this, the penalty will be Rs. 50,000. Repeated violations may lead to higher penalties and the cancellation of a license or registration to conduct business.
Provisions for False Complaints
However, in the case of a false or malicious complaint, the bill provides for action against the complainant following service rules and in any other manner if no service rules exist. The bill covers not only employees but also clients, customers, apprentices, or daily wage workers who enter the workplace.
Applicability of the Bill
Its provisions will also apply to private sector organizations, societies, trusts, educational institutions, NGOs, and service providers of commercial, professional, or entertainment activities. It will also cover the unorganized sector where the number of workers is less than 10.
The bill covers, among its list of offenses, sexual remarks, demands for sexual favors, or any act of physical advance or an unwelcome touch.