Kerala women employees strip-searched at private firm

Kochi: The ill-treatment of women at work place, especially in private companies remained a social menace despite the State Women’s Commission had announced steps to make Ernakulam a women-friendly district.

The recent incident of women staff in a private industrial unit in Cochin Special Economic Zone being subjected to strip search following detection of a sanitary napkin in the toilet is only tip of iceberg, according to women activists. Though Women’s Commission member Lissy Jose claimed that compliant redressal committees have been constituted in all government offices and steps are afoot to extend it to private sector, the proposal failed to benefit women.

Soon after the incident was reported, Dr. Lissy Jose said that that explanation has been sought from the private industrial unit. “Further steps would be taken after getting the inquiry report from the police. The issue will be discussed during the meeting of labour department officials from the district scheduled for second week of January,” she said.

This is the first time that a strip searching incident is being reported from CSEZ. During my earlier visit, women employees shared their grievances but not harassment of this nature, she said.

“Exploitation of women at work places is a problem in Kochi in several big and small private companies. Often, company owners never allow employees to open up. Hence, harassment is not being reported,” said Jyothi Narayanan of Sthreevedi.

Earlier, there were complaints against small firms in CSEZ for the lapses in disbursal of salary and other benefits.