Date:05/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/04/05/stories/2005040502380200.htm

Back Protection sought for women working on late night shifts

Our Bureau

Local protection committees could be set in up in any workplace where 10 or more are employed.

Coimbatore , April 4

THE All-India Democratic Women's Federation, which favoured the Centre's move to amend the Factories Act permitting women workers in late night shift, has pleaded for a suitable safeguard mechanism for the women workers serving late hours.

Formation at the earliest of local committees for protection against sexual harassment of women at workplaces should be given effect.

These committees with members from social service organisations, public and officials including women's voluntary bodies could be empowered to hear the complaints of assault on modesty received from women workers, according to Ms Amirthem, Coimbatore District Secretary of the AIDWF.

Ms Amirthem said such local protection committees could be set in up in any workplace where 10 or more women are employed.

Admitting that women workers in most cases preferred not to complain and instead suffer silently the acts of sexual abuses heaped on them at work place for fear of losing livelihood or physical safety, the AIDWF functionary said that even today women workers engaged in textile units such as those involved in recycling of waste cotton located in interior places remained quite vulnerable to sexual manipulation and harassment.