Soon Companies Will Need to Disclose Proof of Sexual Harassment Cells

The Union Minister Maneka Gandhi on Wednesday announced that the companies will come under scanner if they do not have a Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to address sexual harassment complaints in the workplace. She  mentioned that the government is planning to make changes in the rules of ICC to make the law mandatory.

Gandhi announced this on Twitter that the government is going to amend its rules under the Companies Act, 2013. She has been working on this issue for two years with the Corporate Affairs Ministry.

The amendments will make sure that the companies are adhering to the terms and conditions of the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013.

The amendments will make sure that the companies are adhering to the terms and conditions of the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013. Under this act, a company with 10 and above employee needs to necessarily set up an ICC.

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"I am deeply grateful to Arun Jaitley ji and Ministry of Corporate Affairs for considering our request to amend relevant rules under the Companies Act, 2013, for women's safety," the Women and Child Development minister tweeted.

I am deeply grateful to Sh @arunjaitley ji and Ministry of Corporate Affairs for considering our request to amend relevant rules under the Companies Act, 2013, for women’s safety. #SexualHarassmentAtWorkplace

— Maneka Sanjay Gandhi (@Manekagandhibjp) November 29, 2017

A WCD ministry official revealed that the Corporate Affairs Ministry claim to amend the rules before the end of financial year. The amendment will make it mandatory for companies to show proof of their ICC in their annual reports, the official said, ET reported.

“The revision of rules will hold the Board of Directors directly accountable and they will have to report on the constitution of ICC,” Gandhi said in another tweet.

The amendment would ensure that the Board of Directors of all companies duly report on the constitution of ICC under the #SexualHarassmentAtWorkplace Act.

— Maneka Sanjay Gandhi (@Manekagandhibjp) November 29, 2017

The step will further strengthen the Government’s vision & commitment to Women’s security & empowerment at workplace. #SexualHarassmentAtWorkplace

— Maneka Sanjay Gandhi (@Manekagandhibjp) November 29, 2017

Earlier the ministry had launched an e-portal for government employees to anonymously file complaints of sexual abuse. The online portal, further enables them to track the progress in their case.

The WCD ministry and the Corporate Affairs ministry have been discussing the ICC issue for two years now. Earlier the Corporate Affairs minister Arun Jaitley had not relented to the idea of amendments in the Companies Act.  He said companies shy away from disclosing too many details in their reports.

Picture credit- DNA