RAWALPINDI: Provincial Ombudsperson Prof Dr Mira Phailbus has delivered a special lecture on practical implementation of “the protection against harassment of women at the workplace act” to the staff of Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) during the visit of its office.
On this occasion, male and female staff members, including PEF Chairman Qamar ul Islam Raja and MD Dr Aneela Salman, were also present. Dr Mira Phailbus said that the protection against harassment of women at workplace act is promulgated throughout the province and all government and non-government institutions including banks, offices, hospitals, universities and factories etc. comes under the purview of this act, which is very pivotal in protection of the rights of the women staff.
She said that Harassment Awareness Volunteer Programme {HAVP) has been launched throughout the province to sensitize the female staff about their legal rights. She told that show-cause notice is issued within three days of the receipt of the complaint and its reply is mandatory within seven days. The inquiry committee submits its report to the competent authority within thirty days, she added.
Dr Phailbus told that no fee is charged from anyone at any stage of the inquiry and the complainant can submit complaint on a plain paper along with CNIC in person or through post office. She maintained that cases are timely disposed-off and all investigations are conducted in a very timely and transparent manner. The appeal can be filed to the office of the governor against the decision of Ombudsperson within 30 days and the decision of the governor would be final.
She maintained that this act has given new confidence and trust to the women employees adding that the Ombudsperson office is pro-actively working to ensure best implementation of this act in the province.
Earlier, the PEF Chairman Qamar ul Islam Raja Said that female staff in PEF is given very conducive atmosphere to work with more zeal. MD Dr Aneela Salman told that 46 women are working on different positions in PEF who are actively involved in decision-making process.
