Media Release
Bangalore, Jul 13: Peter Anil Rego elected as the president elect of Kanara Entrepreneurs Bangalore during the AGM of KE Bangalore. He was inducted during the members meeting held recently at the Hotel Grand Magrath.
James Pinto, Anil Francis Rego and Paul Sunil Rego took over as the director marketing and sponsorship and director mentoring and director events respectively.
A panel discussion relating to the newly enacted law viz the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 was also held during the meeting. Robinson D’Souza, retired law secretary to the government of Karnataka and principal secretary, Karnataka Legislature; advocate Cyril Prasad Pais and advocate Ian Lewis, both well known practicing advocates of High Court of Karnataka for more than ten years and also members of KE, were the resource persons.
The panelists explained the various facets of the Act and stated that unlike in US and European countries, Indian law is gender specific. It protects only women from sexual harassment at workplaces . The law also protects housemaids even if they work part time.
It is noteworthy to mention that the panelists explained the terms “Sexual Harassment”, the “Workplace”, the various types and kinds of sexual harassments at workplaces, including implied or explicit promise of preferential treatment; threat of detrimental treatment; threat about woman’s present or future employment status; interference with her work or creating an intimidating or offensive or hostile work environment; humiliating treatment likely to affect her health or safety and any unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.
The members were enlightened by the panelists by making reference to the survey conducted by OXFAM in this regard in eight cities in the country where they interviewed more than 400 working women and found 121 different types of incidents, which included 19 physical and 102 non physical types of sexual harassments.
The panelists explained the various duties of employers under the Act, which include providing safe working environment; safety from persons coming into contact at the workplace; display at any conspicuous place at the workplace – the penal consequences of sexual harassment; order constituting the Complaints Committee; organising workshops and awareness programs at regular intervals for sensitising employees with the provisions of the Act; organising orientation programs for I C C members; providing facilities for ICC members to deal with complaints and conducting an inquiry; assisting in securing attendance of respondent and witnesses before the Committee; providing assistance to complainant if she chooses to file a complaint, etc.
They explained to the members the consequences of not implementing the Act and the penalties for not constituting the Internal Committee; taking action in respect of certain provisions of the Act; contravening or even attempting to contravene or abet the contravention of some provisions of the Act which will attract a fine up to Rs 50,000 for the first offence.
The refusal to appoint a woman at a workplace to avoid the implementation of the Act would not be the solution as the client or the visitor could be a woman.
The panel also mentioned that if the employer after having been previously convicted of an offence punishable under the Act, subsequently commits and is convicted of the same offence, he shall be liable to twice the punishment, which might have been imposed on the first conviction, subject to the punishment being maximum provided for the same offence; cancellation of his licence or withdrawal or non-renewal of approval, or cancellation of the registration by the Government or local authority required for carrying on his business or activity
The panel referred to many incidents happened recently which severely affected the reputation of the person involved and the reputation of the organisation as well besides spending his time in judicial custody.
They touched upon specific issues relating to handling of false charges; aspects covered by the Act with relevant case studies; how to handle false cases and the procedural aspects.
The question-answer session helped the members to clarify their doubts.
President Mark D’Souza welcomed the gathering . Vivon Pinto compered the programme. George Timothy proposed Vote of thanks.