Sri Lankan firms make move on harassment

More than 40 Sri Lankan companies have signed a code of conduct to combat sexual harassment at work.

Sexual harassment is so common on roads and buses and in public places that it is often accepted as the norm, says the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, which drew up the code with guidance from the International Labour Organization.

Women are afraid of revenge attacks and are often blamed for the harassment so that a social stigma is attached to them. In some areas the harassment is so prevalent that it discourages women from working.

Chamila Thushari, of the women’s rights group Da Bindu, said: ‘Men grope and snatch girls walking on the roads. Others stand in the shadows on the roads, at bus stands, near the station, making filthy remarks and exposing themselves.’

Much of this goes unreported, so there is no comprehensive data on the degree of harassment at work or outside. However, employers are beginning to recognize harassment at work and are taking disciplinary measures against the perpetrators.

The new code tells companies what they can do to prevent harassment at work and how they can deal with incidents. Companies adopting the code must create awareness about sexual harassment among employees and set up the means of handling complaints.

The authors of the code also admit that men can be sexually harassed at work by women and other men.

There is some redress in law. Sri Lanka is the only country in South Asia with legislation banning sexual harassment. Those who are convicted can be fined or jailed for up to five years, or suffer both penalties.