29 April 2019: Taking suo-motto cognizance of newspaper reports and radio broadcast the National Human Rights Commission has directed the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health to inspect garment factories across the state to ensure that workplaces are safe and enabling for women. Garment workers had voiced their concern on a community FM radio channel, which brought to fore the rampant harassment at workplace, lack of sanitation, non-availability of toilets, drinking water and crèche facilities.
In its statement, NHRC held that ‘denial of basic facilities by employers is a serious violation of human rights’ and that ‘toilets, drinking water, first aid and special provisions for female workers are most crucial and primary requirements at the workplace.’