A detailed investigation should be taken up into complaints received from women employees who face sexual harassment at workplaces.
R. Alice Vaz, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, speaking at a two-day workshop on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplaces Act-2013 organised by the Puducherry State Resource Centre for Women and Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority here on Monday, said there should be proper inquiry by the Internal Complaints Committee and an off-the-cuff decision should not be taken as soon as a complaint was received from a woman employee.
Ms. Vaz said it was disheartening to note that only two chairpersons out of 16 departments, which had constituted the Internal Complaints Committees, were present at the workshop. Whatever decision was taken at the workshop should be translated into action. Detailed enquiry must be conducted as only at the end of the probe the facts would be unearthed, she said.
‘She-box’ set up
Normally, victims would not prefer complaints straight away. And it was basically because of stigma that they did not open up. Hence, the Women and Child Development Ministry had launched “she-box” (sexual harassment electronic box) on its website to enable women employees to file complaints related to sexual harassment at the workplace.
M. Ezhilarasi, principal sub-judge of Puducherry State Legal Services Authority, said setting up of ICC was mandatory not only for government departments but also for the unorganised sector.
The law mandates that all workplaces with more than 10 workers constitute an internal complaints committee for receiving complaints of sexual harassment.
Though women face harassment at workplace only a few come out openly to go to the extent of lodging a complaint, thanks to the support from their families, she said.
S. Yesvanthaiyah, Director of Women and Child Development, said that only 16 government departments had constituted the ICC so far.
Although repeated reminders were sent to the departments, action had not been taken, he added.
