Sexual harassment of women at work place: Government to amend rules

Rules are being amended to widen definition of sexual harassment and to make work place more conducive for women to work, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said today.
"Rules are being amended to widen definition of 'sexual harassment' and 'workplace' to make working conditions even more conducive for women," the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions told reporters at a press conference here.

However, he did not elaborate. The new rules can bring in more clarity on various offences punishable under the law including implied or overt promise of preferential treatment in employment, implied or overt threat of detrimental treatment in employment and implied or overt threat about present or future employment status, official sources said.

President Pranab Mukherjee had last year given his assent to the Protection of Women Against Sexual Harassment at Work Place Bill, 2010, aimed at providing protection against sexual harassment of women at workplace and for the prevention and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment. The new law has under its ambit even domestic workers and agriculture labour, both from organised and unorganised sectors.