Women’s panel for internal complaint redressal mechanism at workplaces
The Hindu
Kerala Women's Commission Chairperson P. Sathidevi opened public hearing on problems facing women contract workers. Issues in 11 sectors discussed. Commission taking measures to bring women into mainstream. Women contract workers facing exploitation, negligible wages, lack of benefits. Change in attitude of society needed to bring women into mainstream. Complaints raised by workers from various sectors. Commission members present.
Steps should be taken to ensure that every workplace has an internal complaint redressal mechanism, Kerala Women’s Commission Chairperson P. Sathidevi has said.
She was opening a public hearing organised by the Commission on problems facing women contract workers in the State at the Government Guest House here on Thursday.
The hearing was held on the basis of the finding that women were being exploited in various ways in various sectors. Issues in eleven sectors were being deliberated over during this financial year, said Ms. Sathidevi.
Problems faced by women on contract employment will be brought to the notice of the State government. Owing to globalisation, there has been a drastic drop in permanent jobs, with contract work becoming the order of the day. Women contract workers are forced to work for negligible wages without any benefits. They had put in commendable service facing many difficulties during the pandemic, she said.
In a country where equality is supposed to prevail, women are facing exploitation at workplaces. It is the responsibility of society to ensure the rights of workers. The Commission is undertaking a slew of measures to bring women into the mainstream of society.
In her presidential address, Commission member V.R. Mahilamony said problems faced by women at workplaces dominated complaints received by the panel. Sheeba Lal, chairperson of the Welfare Standing Committee of the Kochi Corporation, said women could come to the mainstream of society only if there was a change in the attitude of society. Ms. Lal was the chief guest.
KSEB Workers’ Association State president Deepa K. Rajan led the deliberations. Women contract workers from the Kerala Water Authority, banking, Cochin International Airport Limited, Anganwadi, health, and various other sectors raised complaints. Commission members Elizabeth Mammen Mathai, Indira Raveendran, director Shaji Sugunan, project officer N. Divya, and research officer A.R. Archana attended.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.