A training programme on Workplace Safety and Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act compliance was conducted at the Tiruppur Exporters’ Association. The programme was organised by Tiruppur Stakeholders Forum (TSF) in collaboration with UN Women and Sakshi to promote safe, dignified and harassment-free workplaces for women in the textile supply chain.
Ms. Preetha Jeyaseelan, Programme Manager, UN Women, highlighted the importance of effective POSH implementation, strong Internal Committees, efficient grievance redressal mechanisms and a preventive workplace culture. She also referred to the collaborative efforts of the Textile Industry Coalition involving government, industry, factories, community organisations and NGOs to ensure the safety, dignity and empowerment of women workers.
Mr. Kumar Duraiswamy, Joint Secretary, TEA and Convenor, TSF, stated that workplace safety and POSH compliance should be treated as part of organisational responsibility and culture, not merely as a legal requirement. He stressed the role of HR managers in building safe and trust-based workplaces and also highlighted TEA’s efforts on migrant worker welfare, including education for migrant workers’ children in their mother tongue.
Mr. V. Elangovan, Chairman, TSF and Vice President, TEA, noted that women constitute nearly 70 percent of Tiruppur’s workforce and said that ensuring safe workplaces is both a statutory responsibility and a key expectation of global buyers. He said continuous awareness and capacity-building are essential to make POSH compliance part of workplace culture.
During the technical session, Dr. Ramya Nisal, Technical Expert from Sakshi, explained the key provisions of the POSH Act, the role and functioning of Internal Committees, employees’ rights, safe reporting mechanisms, gender equality practices and ways to address barriers faced by women in reporting harassment.
The programme concluded with case study discussions and an interactive question-and-answer session. More than 80 HR representatives and Internal Committee members participated. Representatives from SAVE, CSED, NMCT and The Catalyst also took part in the second session and shared their perspectives.
