Lok Sabha Question No. 262 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Training for Members of Internal Complaint Committee
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Sumalatha Ambareesh, Nalin Kumar Kateel, D.K. Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 262 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2023

## TRAINING FOR MEMBERS OF INTERNAL COMPLAINT COMMITTEE

262.    SHRIMATI SUMALATHA AMBAREESH: SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL: SHRI D.K. SURESH:

Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  that  there  is  a  need  for  providing training for the members of the Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) to have better understanding of their role and the provisions of the sexual harassment of women at work place (Prevention Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has made any provision for the facilities to the Internal committee members/NGO  members  to  rendering  their services to the committee;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (b):  Safety and security of women in the country is of utmost priority for the Government.  Keeping  this  in  view,  the  Government  has  enacted  'The  Sexual Harassment  of  Women  at Workplace  (Prevention,  Prohibition  and  Redressal)  Act, 2013' (SH Act) which aims to provide protection to women against sexual harassment at workplace and for the prevention and redressal of complaints related to it. The Act covers  all  women,  irrespective  of  their  age,  employment  status  or  nature  of  work whether working in public or private, organised or unorganised sector. The Act casts an obligation upon employers of all workplaces, public or private, to provide a safe and secure working environment free from sexual harassment, whereby every employer is mandated to constitute an Internal Committee (IC) where the number of employees/ workers  is  more  than  10.  Similarly,  the  Appropriate  Government  is  authorized  to constitute Local  Committee  (LC)  in  every  district to  receive  complaints  from organizations having less than ten workers or if the complaint is against the employer himself. The Act has enough provisions to deal with various aspects of the matter including penal provisions for those who violate the provisions of the Act including for the employers.

Further, as per the provisions of the Act, it is mandatory for every employer to organize workshops and awareness programs at regular intervals for sensitizing the employees with the provisions of the Act and orientation programmes for members of the Internal committee. Being the Nodal Ministry, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) issues advisories to all Central Ministries / Departments and State Governments/ UTs from time to time to organize workshops and awareness programmes at regular intervals for sensitizing the employees.

(c) to (e):  Section 19 of the SH Act casts duty on every employer to provide necessary facilities to the IC or LC for dealing with the complaint and conducting inquiry,  assisting in  securing  attendance  of  respondent  and  witnesses,  to  make  available  such information as may be required. Section 3 & 5 of the SH Rules prescribe the fees and allowances to be paid to Chairperson and Members(appointed from amongst nongovernment organisation) of the IC & LC.

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