Employers in Coimbatore directed to form internal committees to address workplace sexual harassment

The Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, Coimbatore, has issued a statement urging all employers to comply with the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The Act is intended to protect women from sexual harassment at workplace and to establish mechanisms for addressing such complaints.

According to the Act, establishments with 10 or more employees are required to constitute an Internal Committee (IC) to inquire into complaints of sexual harassment. Employers who fail to constitute the committee or follow the required procedures may face a penalty of up to ₹50,000.

The Directorate has instructed all factories and construction sites in and around Coimbatore to immediately form Internal Committees and fully implement the provisions of the Act. Details of IC members and the complaint redressal procedures must be displayed prominently in locations accessible to all employees.

The release, also refers to Government Order (Standing) No. 64, issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Women’s Rights (SW3-2), which outlines the standard operating procedures to be followed by establishments. All employers have been directed to strictly adhere to these guidelines.