NEW DELHI: Cracking whip on Bollywood production houses, Union Woman and Child Development Ministry has asked them furnish reports of internal complaints committee on sexual harassment.
There are only seven production houses that have set up these panels despite Ministry's directions last year. The move is a part of increased focus on sexual harassment and casting couch in the entertainment industry.
"As responsible employers, all are obliged to follow law of the land. I urge the Bollywood production houses to do so and submit a report on the Internal Complaints Committee set up by them. Together, we need to ensure a safe workplace for our women," WCD Minister Maneka Gandhi said.
Last year, Gandhi wrote to 24 leading production houses urging them to comply with India's 2013 sexual harassment Act, reminding them that they are "ethically and legally" responsible for providing a "safe, secure and inclusive work environment" for all staff under the Indian law.
Under the Act, it is mandatory for all companies with more than 10 employees set up an internal complaints committee and employers not following the norms are liable to pay Rs 50,000 in fine. Tthe committee, says the law, should have at least three people, a majority of which must be women in senior positions within the organization, and a third-party member, attached to an NGO.
Companies must conduct regular workshops to sensitise employees. The anti-sexual harassment laws have a broad definition of the workplace, which includes film sets, work meetings, and even events to celebrate a film's success and the committee can hand out punishment like suspension, termination, and monetary compensation to be paid to the survivor.
The compensation can be deducted from the offending party's salary. If the survivor is not satisfied with the ICC, she can appeal against it before a court or a quasi-judicial authority.
"It is encouraging to know that seven Bollywood production houses have already accepted my request and complied with the Sexual Harassment At Workplace Act. I expect the other producers to ensure similar compliance at the earliest," Gandhi said on Monday.
Last December, in letters sent to leading production houses that included Yashraj Films, Dharma Productions, Red Chillies Entertainment, Balaji Telefims and others Gandhi had said that sexual harassment included "physical contact, a demand or request for sexual favours, making sexually coloured remarks, showing pornography, any other unwelcome physical, verbal, or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature."
The move had followed #MeToo movement after allegations of sexual harassment were brought to the fore by several women against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinsteiin.