FOREIGN AIRLINES MUST COMPLY WITH SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAW: DELHI HC

The Delhi High Court has said that any foreign airline having even one office in the country is bound by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

It was hearing a public interest litigation on Monday seeking the implementation of the Vishakha guidelines on sexual harassment against women at the workplace in the aviation industry.

The case had been transferred as a PIL from another court which was dealing with the plea of an Indian woman, employed with the Sri Lankan Airlines, seeking action against the carrier and its official whom she had accused of sexual harassment.

While quashing the PIL, a Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw said, “We are of the opinion that once the law aforesaid (the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act) has come into force, all including foreign airlines having a place of work in India and to whom such law may be applicable, are expected and required to comply therewith and there is no need for this court to issue any direction for the law to be complied with.”

The court further said, “If any of such foreign airlines does not comply with the law, it shall do so at its own peril.”

The court also noted that the Delhi Government had sent a communication to the Joint Secretary, Civil Aviation Ministry, to issue directions to all airlines operating from Delhi to constitute internal complaints committees and take steps to create awareness.

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