KOCHI: Penkoottu, which has been at the vanguard of several campaigns for ensuring a level-playing field for women in the state, is all set to embark on a new mission.
It is now planning to launch an agitation demanding setting up of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to put a brake on sexual harassment of women staff in textile showrooms.
A women-led trade union, Penkoottu’s short history is peppered with instances of successful struggle, including the protests against the lack of usable toilets on SM Street in Kozhikode; fight for the right to toilet breaks; and ‘irrikkal samaram’.
Viji P, a member of Penkoottu, said: “The amendment to the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments Act has come as a boon to the saleswomen who work in textile showrooms. We are happy the Governor has signed the ordinance.”
According to Viji, Penkoottu will hold talks with all the stakeholders on November 5 to decide on the further course of action.
“After the meeting, we will hold talks with the showroom owners regarding the creation of the seating facilities for staff. We will be monitoring whether the ordinance is being adhered to by the establishments. If we find any lapse, we will launch strong agitation until the facility is readied,” she said.
Another important issue the women-initiated trade union will be soon taking up is the formation of ICCs at these establishments.
“We have been fighting for the cause of the women working in various establishments under various capacities. A major problem faced by the women at the textile showrooms is sexual harassment,” she said. Viji said there have been instances where those in the top rungs sexually accosted saleswomen.
“Many women have spoken to us about the unsafe atmosphere in these shops. It is mostly men who occupy key posts like the manager. Since these saleswomen come in from a financially weak background, these men consider them easy targets,” she said.
“The fear of losing jobs make them shut their mouths. Besides, by giving them extra consideration in a bid to prevent them from speaking about the problem, these people alienate these saleswomen from others. So, it is high time the establishments set up an ICC,” she said.
Though the Act has a provision that works towards preventing sexual harassment of women, it will get implemented only if there is an ICC, she said.
Labour Department to ensure the implementation of Shops and Establishments Act
Kochi: Officers of the Labour Department will soon carry out inspections at the textile, jewellery and other commercial establishments, to ascertain whether the amendment to the Kerala Shops and Establishments Act regarding the creation of seating facilities for saleswomen is being abided by. Labour Minister T P Ramakrishnan asked the department officers to ensure the amendment is being implemented. “The amendment aims at providing a safe and respectable working atmosphere for women, besides giving them the right to sit during working hours. It is the duty of the labour officers to see that the amendment is being strictly abided,” he said at a review meeting of the labour officers. The minister directed the officers to start inspecting the commercial establishments at the earliest.
“The officers also need to spread awareness among the shop owners and also the staff, about the amendment made in the Kerala Shops and Establishments Act, 1960,” he added. According to the minister, establishment owners who fail to implement the rules will be slapped a fine of Rs 1 lakh for every violation. “Earlier, the fine was Rs 5,000 for violations under various sub-heads,” he said. The fine for repeat offenders has been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 2 lakh.
“It is important to find a lasting and foolproof solution to the problems faced by women at the workplaces. Provisions should be made for women to file complaints. The working of the call-centre at the Labour Commissionerate needs to be rejigged to facilitate registration of complaints,” the minister said.