A platform of nine organizations Monday put forward a draft law to prevent sexual harassment at workplace in the country.
They placed the draft of the law titled “Sexual Harassment at Workplace Prevention Act, 2018” at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club.
The platform also submitted the draft consisting of a total of 24 sections to Law Minister Anisul Huq and State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque Chunnu earlier on September 12, said Bangladesh National Women Lawyers association (BNWLA) Director Advocate Towhida Khandoker.
As per the proposed law, every organization has to form a committee with 5-7 members where victims will be able to lodge their complaints within 30 days in case of any sexual harassment.
Acts of harassment or persecution, indecent proposals, comments or statements, stalking, and similar behavior will be considered minor sexual offenses while physical harassment or similar acts, particularly through abuse of institutional or professional power, blackmail using images or videos, and distribution and marketing of such images or videos will be treated as major offenses.
The identity of the complainant should remain confidential and after investigation, the committee will suggest appropriate punishment for the offenders, it says.
"We have various laws on sexual harassment, but those are scattered. Many victims do not go to police fearing social repercussion and lengthy process. This new law will help reduce sexual harassment institutionally," said a spokesman of the platform.
The Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association President Advocate Fauzia Karim Firoz, Chairperson of Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation Saki Rezwana and Worker Women Executive Director Rokeya Rafiq were present at the occasion.
