Latest news with #ICCs
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
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.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
GCC to form internal complaints committees in all 15 zones to address POSH complaints
CHENNAI: GCC Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran has issued orders to all 15 zones to establish Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 at the zonal level. The decision comes in response to a TNIE report exposing alleged sexual harassment of sanitary workers in Ward 84 of the Ambattur zone. Currently, ICCs function only at the head office and regional-level offices in the north, central, and south regions. The new directive mandates setting up of similar committees at the zonal level to ensure grievances are addressed closer to where they occur, including for frontline workers and sanitary staff. The directive states that each ICC must have at least four members, with a minimum of 50% being women, and should be chaired by a senior female officer of the respective zone. Members must include individuals committed to the welfare of women. The committees will be responsible for addressing complaints filed by women employees from all offices within their jurisdiction, including zonal, divisional, and ward offices. The GCC has also instructed that details of ICC members-names, designations and contact numbers must be displayed on notice boards in all above-mentioned offices.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
NCW chief reviews ICCs under POSH Act
Kochi: The National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar, stated that initiatives are underway to thoroughly complete the training for members of internal complaints committees (ICC) and local complaints committees (LCC) under the POSH Act . During her three-day Kerala visit, Rahatkar conducted a meeting with govt department ICCs to assess their operations and ensure their practical implementation. These ICCs operate under the Sexual Harassment at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act. Rahatkar emphasised the importance of committees' active functioning beyond mere documentation. "We also told them it was compulsory to work in accordance with the law. I am sure they will benefit from the review meeting and the training," she said. The NCW chief conducted a public hearing at the Collectorate Conference Hall to address complaints from women who found it challenging to reach the Delhi head office. Out of 36 complaints received, 31 were resolved or concluded, with five pending cases. Rahatkar explained that these public hearings aimed to aid women. She met with the Kerala State Women's Commission chairperson and praised the effective functioning of the state commission. Later in the day, Rahatkar visited the One Stop Centre for women at Kakkanad, utilising the NCW's authority to evaluate such facilities and submit governmental reports. TNN
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
NCW chief holds review meeting of govt ICCs in Kerala's Ernakulam
Kochi, National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Tuesday said that she held a meeting with the Internal Complaints Committees of government departments here to review how they were working and to ensure they do not just remain on paper. Rahatkar, who is on a three-day visit to Kerala, told reporters here that along with the meeting, efforts were also made to properly complete the training of the members of the ICCs and Local Complaints Committees set up under the Sexual Harassment at the Workplace Act. "This was done to ensure that the committees do not just remain on paper and function effectively. We also told them it was compulsory to work in accordance with the law. I am sure they will benefit from the review meeting and the training," she said. Giving details of her other activities during the day, the NCW chief said that a 'Jan Sunwai' or public hearing was held at the Collectorate Conference Hall here to deal with several complaints received from women for whom it was difficult to approach the commission's head office in Delhi. Rahatkar said that 36 complaints were received by the commission and of them 31 were resolved or closed, while five remain pending. She said the objective behind the public hearing was to provide relief to women and such efforts will continue. She said that she also met with the chairperson of the Kerala State Women's Commission and had a good interaction. The NCW chief said that the women's commission in Kerala was working effectively. Rahatkar said that later in the day she would be visiting the One Stop Centre for women at Kakkanad here as the NCW has powers to visit such institutions, examine how they were working and give a report to the government about it. According to her itinerary for the next two days, she would be visiting women plantation workers at different estates in Idukki, hold meetings with estate managers, trade union leaders and labour department officials in Munnar and inaugurate a transit shelter for women and children at Aluva.
