The Lok Sabha today passed the Protection of Women Against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill -2010. It seeks to protect the women from sexual harassment at their workplace and redress their complaints. The bill was piloted by Minister for Women and Child Welfare Krishna Tirath. Our correspondent reports that the legislation will benefit over 47 lakh women registered as domestic workers in the country.
The original bill, introduced in Lok Sabha in 2010, did not include domestic workers under its ambit. The bill ensures a safe environment for women at their workplace in the public and private sectors. Both the organised and unorganised sectors are covered under it. The legislation envisages the sitting up of local Complaints Committees at the district level, where a victim of sexual harassment can lodge complaints. It will be the concerned Committee's responsibility to look into the complaints and take action.