Press Conference: “Sexual Harassment at workplace Law proposal”

Press Conference: “Sexual Harassment at workplace Law proposal”

Place: 17th July 2010, Saturday
12:30 to 2:00 PM. Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219, Deendayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi 110002.
Near Pragati Maidan Metro Station, Near ITO.

All are cordially invited, one can ask questions even anonymously. Followed by lunch.

Contact: Sandeep Bhartia, President ( 9971117829),

Mrs Swarnlata (9711819834 Spokesperson)

Few other Organizations will be also participating with their Separate Press releases.

Invitation & Press release.

The new proposal focus is on getting money for emotional, mental trouble based on the salary of the man.
The judges have to be biased by law (includes 3 feminists) to decide the amount, etc. so in the present form this can result in flood of false complaints for money, revenge etc. 

Our Suggestions about this Law proposal include: 

1: Our demand is that the construction of complaints committee should be kept the same as in Supreme courts Vishakha Judgement (which is the present law). Presently committee is good, will be headed by women & 50% or more members should be women. Complaints Committee should involve a third party, either NGO or other body who is familiar with the issue of sexual harassment. Why is the need to significantly change this committee by new committee proposal to have 3 women committed to the cause of women (including the head of committee)? It is seen in case of Protection officers (in the new Domestic Violence law from 2006), that protection officers are under pressure to give one sided reports to keep their jobs. Why can not the ommittee members be neutral like in Supreme Courts Judgement & the proposal says their have to be 3 women rights activists.

2: The present law proposal says pay money for emotional, mental trouble caused due to sexual harassment at office. We think that money compensation should be limited to the actual money loss suffered, like paid leaves, salary loss or medical loss. Unlimited money for emotional trouble will lead to a flood of false complaints, just like in matrimonial disputes wife are asking from all male relatives, for mental trouble Rs 85 lakhs, 10 lakhs etc. in the new law of domestic Violence, section 22. Why not give punishment instead of money. Good women are not so cheap that they want money for sexual harassment; they would rather punish the offender. Unlimited Money = False complaints.

3: The Law proposal says false complaints cannot be told to public, press and media, and only true complaints can be told. This has long term effect, by legally allowing only one sided information to be passed to the press. The harm is significant, though not so easy to explain.

4: Law ministry’s main job is to make Laws. We are asking that gender Laws in proposal stage be put on Law ministries website, just like in blogs. There should be a provision to put feedback comments, persons & press should be allowed to see each other moderated comments. This will ensure that feedback received is more or less transparent. Our NGO will do this for free for the Govt. of India. At the press conference we will try to understand why this is virtually impossible for Indian Govt. to make gender law drafting process open to Indian public due to foreign funding etc.

Summary 12 page document about sexual harassment at workplace law Proposal is at NGO President’s blog. 

http://indiatalking.com/blog/genderjustise/6142/

References:  Present Law that is good should be continued. May be make committee formation compulsory at offices.
http://ipc498a.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/visakha-sh.pdf

New Law proposal that we have access to.

http://www.ghrs.in/images/Dharna_Seminar/july10/draft_sexual_harassment_bill_2007.pdf

Video Links of out TV Debates for this Law proposal.

Our TV Debate 1. : Since this law proposal can not be justified, Important points by us are met with
bursts of frustration & personal attacks, making famous experienced feminists look cheap, & walkouts from TV studio. (23
years feminists Supreme Court lawyer & writer of dozens of women laws books), & (Another on panel is Delhi university ex.
President active in Domestic violence TV programs).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVxALl5TaYc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IrVe9DT_BE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps5siA6FheA

Our TV Debate 2. : With not hardcore feminists, finally all have to agree this law proposal is wrong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-tfFMNGy80
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S3J-S0y8ro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_oy-w_nbFE

Raksha( USA) booklet is at

http://www.498a.org/contents/Publicity/comments_on_sexual_harassment_bill_rakshak_v4.pdf

Detailed blog with persons comment & other links is at

http://indiatalking.com/blog/genderjustise/4946/
Presently sexual harassment complaints are taken seriously; it is tried under rules of other complaints. Usually man is promptly fired or given a last warning. 

…………..

Photos of the Press conference – photos 1 to 14 are of 17 july 2010 conference

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27490196@N03/

 

courtesy : –

President - Sandeep Bhartia(9971117829), Secretary -Niladri Shekhar Das (9811052770)

Gender Human Rights Society(Regd.)

http:/www.ghrs.in