At all workplaces, be they in the organised sectors such as government departments, schools, colleges or unorganised sectors like shops and malls, the setting up of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), is going to be mandatory in the coming days, said Member of AP State Women’s Commission Srivani Koyyana, here on Monday.
Interacting with the media, she said, in cities like Visakhapatnam about 90 % of working women face harassment at workplace. But only a few come out openly to go to the extent of lodging a complaint. And it is basically due to stigma or fear of losing a job that they do not open up, she said.
Keeping this in mind, the government is going ahead with implementation of the ICC at all workplaces, she said.
“ICC has been made mandatory under the Workplace Harassment Act- 2103, but it has not been implemented seriously. Now we are launching a campaign and will be meeting the Collector in Visakhapatnam to take it up as a pilot initiative,” she said.
According to her, the committee will comprise one senior woman employee, one senior male employee and one women from an NGO.
All companies, establishments and institutions, will have to set-up a board on the premises, highlighting the presence of the committee, its members with contact numbers, how a complaint can be lodged and punishments under relevant sections.
According to Uma Devi, senior advocate and member of DLSA (District Legal Services Authority), the punishment in case of sexual harassment case can go up to three years of rigorous imprisonment.
Apart from the contact numbers of members, the toll free number of Women Help 181 and the DLSA number should also be highlighted, she added.
Ms. Srivani said the committee will have to keep the name of the complainant and the accused confidential and the inquiry has to be completed within 90 days.
“The report then has to be sent to the head of the department or organisation and action has to be initiated within two months, failing which fine will be imposed and even the licences will be cancelled,” said Ms. Srivani.
She further said visitors and vendors can also approach the committee.
