The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Bill) was presented to the Cabinet by the Ministry of Women and Child Development yesterday, after a Group of Ministers had earlier examined it.
Sources said the Bill aims to protect not only women employees but those who enter the offices as clients, customers, apprentices, students or research scholars.
The Bill makes it mandatory that all offices, hospitals, institutions and other workplaces should have an internal redressal mechanism for complaints related to sexual harassment, sources said.
It is also learnt that the Cabinet has also agreed not to put the 'onus of proof' or innocence on the employer or the accused to ensure that the legislation gives them a fair chance of securing justice.
A Parliamentary Standing Committee had earlier examined the Bill and held the firm view that preventive aspects reflected in the proposed Bill has to be strictly in line with the Supreme Court guidelines in Vishaka case in 1997.
The apex court's judgement in Vishaka case not only defines sexual harassment at the workplace but also lays down guidelines for its prevention and disciplinary action against the erring employee.
