The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Amendment Bill, 2024, introduced by the Rajya Sabha on February 02, 2024, proposes significant changes to the existing Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013. The key amendments outlined in the bill are as follows:
- Amendment to Section 9:
- Sub-section (1) of Section 9, which deals with the filing of complaints of sexual harassment, is proposed to be modified.
- The time limit for filing complaints is extended from three months to one year from the date of the incident.
- Additionally, the time limit for reporting incidents occurring over a period is also extended from three months to one year from the date of the last incident.
- Amendment to Section 9:
- The second proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 9, which previously specified a time limit “not exceeding three months,” is proposed to be omitted. This implies the removal of any specific time limit for the completion of the internal inquiry process.
- Omission of Section 10:
- The bill proposes the complete removal of Section 10, which deals with the process of conciliation in cases of sexual harassment. This suggests a shift away from conciliation as a method of resolving such cases within the workplace.
These amendments aim to provide women with a more extended timeframe to report incidents of sexual harassment, thereby allowing them sufficient time to come forward and seek redressal. Additionally, the removal of the conciliation process suggests a more direct approach to addressing complaints of sexual harassment, potentially emphasizing the importance of thorough investigations and appropriate disciplinary actions.
