An Overview of The Laws by Bihar Government to Provide Workplace Safety to Women Workers

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the laws, policies and institutional measures adopted by the Bihar government to provide safety to women workers at the workplace. Ensuring safety, dignity and equality of women at workplace is an essential part of socio-economic development and human rights protection of the State. The study primarily evaluated the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment Act, 2013 (POSH Act), the social security provisions made for women workers. Besides, key initiatives of Bihar Government such as Local Complaints Committee (LCC), One Stop Centre (Sakhi), 181 Women Helpline, and Dial-112 service were also examined which aim to provide quick relief, judicial support and safe working environment to women. It was found that these laws and schemes have provided women with a structure for legal rights and grievance redressal, but many challenges exist at the practical level. These include lack of awareness, poor implementation in the unorganised sector, lack of resources, social stigma and fear of retaliation if complaints are made. The legal and institutional framework established by the Government of Bihar are important initiatives towards workplace safety of women workers, but their success depends on how strong monitoring systems, extensive training, and efforts are made to overcome socio-cultural barriers.