SLA refutes allegations of inaction in sexual harassment case

SriLankan Airlines today refuted allegations of inaction in a "sexual harassment" case filed by one of its Delhi-based woman employees, saying a competent committee set up under the Vishaka guidelines has already investigated the matter before closing it in 2012.
However, at the same time, the Airline, in a statement, said it is already in the process of obtaining legal advice from its lawyers in India and will take appropriate action.
An Indian woman employee of Srilankan Airlines had yesterday moved a petition in the Delhi High Court for action against the air carrier for alleged non-implementation of the Vishaka guidelines which deals with cases of sexual harassment at workplaces.

The petition by the woman, a sales executive in the airline, was mentioned by advocate Ajay Verma who said her complaint of sexual harassment against a senior colleague, a Sri Lankan, has been pending since 2009 and the airline has not taken any action against him.
"SriLankan Airlines has already conducted an investigation into the alleged sexual harassment claim, in accordance with Special Policy Against Harassment (SPAH) which characterises the Vishaka guidelines and closed this matter in 2012," the Sri Lankan national carrier said here in a detailed statement.
Therefore, the airline categorically refutes the statement which indicates that the company has not implemented Vishaka guidelines, it said.

As per the Supreme Court guidelines, any organisation with more than 20 women should have a three-member committee to look into the cases of exploitation, if any, and take necessary disciplinary action. Two of these should be from within the organisation while one an outsider.
SPAH is special mechanism set up by the airline to investigate complaints of employees relating to harassment experienced by them during the course of their employment and to take remedial or punitive actions against the employees as necessary depending on the findings of the investigations.