Cabinet nod to harassment bill likely today

About 47.5 lakh women registered as domestic workers in India would soon be able to avail of speedy redressal in case of sexual harassment.

About 47.5 lakh women registered as domestic workers in India would soon be able to avail of speedy redressal in case of sexual harassment.

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The cabinet is likely to clear amendments to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill on Thursday. The bill proposes to bring domestic workers under the ambit of the legislation.

The bill ensures a safe environment for women at workplace — bet it public or private, organised or unorganised sector. It provides protection not only to women who are employed but also to those who enter the workplace as a client, customer, apprentice, daily wage worker or in ad-hoc capacity. Students, research scholars in colleges and universities and patients in hospitals have also been covered in the bill.

The amendments are based on the recommendations given by a parliamentary standing committee. The Women and Child Development ministry has, however, not accepted the committee's recommendation to include male workers under the ambit of the legislation.