Efforts on to ensure ICCs in all govt. departments
The Social Welfare Department has strengthened its efforts to ensure that all government and private companies set up an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
Following the 2024 Supreme Court ruling mandating strict implementation of the POSH Act guidelines, the department has so far briefed the School Education Department, Higher Education Department, Labour Department, and the Revenue Department to set up the committee in their institutions.
'It is necessary that awareness regarding sexual harassment at workplaces is improved. There are still many who are not aware of these norms, and hence, the safety of women at workplaces is compromised,' a senior Social Welfare official said.
Stating that the department has seen an increase in reports on ICCs since 2022, the official said, 'We have received over 48,000 annual reports of ICCs present in Chennai last year compared to the 3,000 reports we received in the 2022-2023 financial year.'
The department is now focusing on ensuring the establishment of ICCs in the government sector before moving to private institutions. Further, institutions that have not set up an ICC will be levied a fine of ₹50,000. on institutions that haven't set up an ICC. 'Any organisation or society with more than 10 employees should have an ICC set up, the official added.
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