‘Sexual Harassment at workplace in PSUs’

“Sexual Harassment in PSUs: Learn How To Report”

The Hon’ble Supreme Court has set norms and guidelines to prevent the sexual harassment of women in the workplace, as seen in the case of Vishakha and Others vs State of Rajasthan & Others (JT 1997 (7) SC 384). To comply with these guidelines, the DPE has issued directives through OM No. DPE/15(4) /98(GL-004)/GM dated 29-05-1998 to all Ministries/Departments, asking them to instruct the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under their purview to amend their Conduct, Discipline & Appeal (CDA) Rules accordingly. Additionally, following the 62nd Report of the “Status of Women Government Employees, Service Conditions, Protection against exploitation, Incentives and other related issues” by the Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law & Justice, the DPE has requested all Ministries/Departments to advise CPSEs under their control to create a Women in Public Sector (WIPS) Cell. This Cell will offer support to women employees by facilitating experience sharing, building up their confidence, and ensuring speedy resolution of grievances, including those related to sexual harassment in the workplace.

CPSEs operate under the supervision of their respective Ministries/Departments. Any issues related to individual harassment cases are handled according to CPSE’s CDA regulations and the current guidelines provided by the government. The responsibility of enforcing government directives in CPSEs rests with the Board of Directors of the CPSEs and its relevant Ministry/Department. As a result, there is no centralized record of the frequency of sexual harassment incidents or gender sensitivity units in CPSEs kept by the Department of Public Enterprises.

In response to a written inquiry in Lok Sabha today, Shri Babul Supriyo, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, provided the following details.

Source: PIB News

Sexual harassment at workplace is a serious issue that affects both males and females. However, due to social stigma and fear of backlash, many cases of sexual harassment go unreported.

Sexual Harassment at workplace in PSUs refers to any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates an uncomfortable, hostile, or offensive work environment.

Employees who experience sexual harassment in the workplace should report the matter to their employer, senior management, or HR representative. They can also file a complaint with the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) constituted by the PSU.

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, applies to all workplaces in India, including PSUs. The act mandates the creation of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in every workplace with more than 10 employees.

Organisations can take various measures to prevent sexual harassment at the workplace, such as providing training to employees, conducting gender sensitization workshops, and implementing strict policies and procedures to address complaints of sexual harassment.