Parliament accepts Bill on Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

The parliament has accepted the Bill on Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace submitted by the State.

The bill was submitted to the parliament by Thulusdhoo MP Rozaina Adam. Rozaina also previously submitted the Bill on Preventing Domestic Violence.

The bill was accepted by the parliament with 57 votes in favour, following which it was sent to a temporary 11-member committee for review.

The committee is made up of Bilehdhoo MP Ahmed Hamza, Maafannu-South MP Ibrahim Rasheed, Dhidhdhoo MP Ahmed Sameer, Thinadhoo MP Mohamed Gasam, Hanimaadhoo MP Mohamed Mujthaz, Fuvahmulah-North MP Mohamed Rafeeq Hassan, Maavah MP Abdul Azeez Jamal Abubakr, Thulusdhoo MP Rozaina Adam, Maduvvari MP Visam Ali, Dhuvaafaru MP Mohamed Zubair, and Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim.

The bill defines sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances made by one person verbally, in writing or as gestures, which are perceived by the receiver as advances made with sexual intentions.

The bill states that every office (a company, institution or centre) must establish a committee to investigate cases of sexual harassment in the workplace. The majority of this committee must be held by women, and the committee must elect a president and a vice president. The bill states that offices that fail to establish such a committee after the law comes into effect shall be fined MVR 5,000.

The relevant ministry shall also establish a regulation describing the procedures to be followed by the committee when investigating cases of sexual harassment in the work place. This must be done within three months of the law coming into force.

The bill gives the committee the authority to dismiss, suspend and advise employees in relation to cases of sexual harassment in the work place. The committee can also summon persons accused of sexual harassment for questioning. The committee must complete its investigations within two months, and submit the cases to the Employment Tribunal.