Disclosure of compliance to POSH Act now mandatory in Annual ROC Director's Report

In accordance with the request made by the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare to mandate the disclosure regarding the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act in the Director's report of every company, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has amended the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014. It has been made mandatory to include a statement in the Director's report that the company has complied with provisions relating to the constitution of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 (POSH). The amendment made by the Ministry has come out as a major step towards making the workplace safe for women in the private sector which will cast a higher responsibility on the directors for the proper implementation of the Act. The amendment also includes penal provisions for non-disclosure by the director. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued detailed rules under the Act. It has been ensured that not only the private sector but the ministries and departments under the Central Government also constitute the ICC. A number of directions have been given by the Ministry to provide immediate relief to women working in central government who face sexual harassment at workplace. A number of entities have been listed by the Ministry that can provide training to any organisation on effective implementation of the POSH laws. A facility has been provided by the Ministry to all working women to file complaints directly with the Ministry through SHE-Box.