Workshop on prevention of sexual harassment in workplace held in Tinsukia

A CORRESPONDENT

DOOMDOOMA: A workshop on the implementation of the Prevention, Prohibition and Settlement of Sexual Harassment of Women in the Workplace Act, 2013 and a review meeting of Internal Complaints Committee of all departments was held at the conference hall of the Tinsukia District Commissioner's office on Wednesday.

The workshop was attended by Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Tinsukia, Narsingh Power as the chief guest. In addition, Farhan Uddin Chowdhury, secretary, Tinsukia District Legal Services Authority, and Sanjay Khaitan, Vice-Principal, Tinsukia Law College, were present as resource persons in the workshop.

The workshop was chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner Sharfraz Haque. DC Narsingh Pawar emphasized creating a safe environment for women working in all government and private offices, public sector institutions, schools, colleges and tea plantations. He emphasized formation of Internal Complaints Committees in every office. He also asked the Internal Complaints Committee of each office to submit a report on the action taken by the committee to the District Commissioner's Office on the last day of every month and to conduct workshops and awareness programs on 'Prevention, Prohibition and Settlement of Sexual Harassment of Women in Workplace Act' and to give instructions.

The Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women in the Workplace Act, 2013 was enacted on December 9. The DC urged the Presiding Officers of Internal Complaints Committee to conduct a workshop in government and private offices, institutions and tea estates on December 9. He also directed the labour department to take necessary steps in this regard.

Farhan Uddin Chowdhury, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, who was present as a resource person in the workshop, suggested conducting more such workshops to create awareness about the Act. He also said that such workshops would be more effective in tea plantation areas. Therefore, it is necessary to form an internal committee in every office and hold regular meetings and submit their reports to the DC.

Another resource person, Sanjay Khaitan, gave a PowerPoint presentation on sexual harassment in the workplace, types of sexual harassment and legal provisions in this regard. Khaitan also detailed the powers and responsibilities of the Internal Complaints Committee as well as the structure of the Committee.

The workshop was attended by District Social Welfare Officer-in-Charge and Assistant Commissioner Niluram Sharma, Assistant Commissioner Nilakshi Bhuyan, senior officials of various government offices, financial institutions and public sector institutions, principals of various colleges and tea plantation managers.

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