All public and private employers and organisations employing at least 10 people have to mandatorily form an internal committee to look into sexual harassment complaints at the workplace.
Union Labour Minister Bhupender Yadav informed the Lok Sabha that according to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 all employers with a strength of at least 10 in their workforces are obliged to set up an internal committee to receive and address complaints of sexual harassment.
State governments have the authority to put together a local committee in every district to receive complaints from organisations having a workforce strength of less than 10 or even receive complaints against such employers.
Any act of sexual harassment of women at the workplace violates the constitutional rights of women as well as their human rights.
During the Question Hour, it was reiterated that the Factories Act, 1948 provides for the occupational safety, health and welfare of workers, including women employees, working in factories registered under the Act.
Specific provisions have been outlined for the occupational safety of the workers at workplaces, including garment factories, under Chapter IV of the Factories Act, 1948.
According to the Factories Act, 1948 and its associated rules are enforced by the respective state governments via the chief inspector of factories and the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health.
