Labour Law on Trade Unions and Sexual Harassment issues got amended

The government has amended Labour Rules 2015, empowering trade unions in factories and making more provisions to prevent sexual harassment in workplaces. According to the amended rules, a participation committee is not required in any establishment if there is a trade union. It also stipulates that if any participation committee is formed in the absence of a trade union, activities of the committee would be discontinued as soon as a trade union is formed. A provision relating to conducts towards women has been included in the rules that prohibits indecent and abusive behaviour towards women employees in any establishment. The amendment has made the formation of a five-member sexual harassment prevention committee led by a woman mandatory in each workplace. It has also included a new provision allowing leave for women workers in case of miscarriages. According to the provision, in case of miscarriage, a woman worker will be entitled for a four-week leave with wages for her sickness.