70% of working women have been victims of sexual harassment in their workplaces, revealed the Deputy Superintendent of Inspection and Instruction of the National Superintendence of Labor Inspection (Sunafil), Anaís Cáceres Pérez.
This alarming figure reflects the prevalence of this type of violence in companies, which often fail to take concrete action in response to complaints from their employees. As a result of this inaction, Sunafil has sanctioned five private companies for not implementing appropriate procedures in response to sexual harassment complaints.
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However, the number of complaints has been increasing since April of this year, a trend that is expected to continue. According to Cáceres, this increase can be attributed to both the increase in cases of harassment as well as greater knowledge of labour rights by female workers. “We will probably close the year with between 30 and 40 cases, when last year we barely reached 20,” he detailed.
The reporting process is managed by Sunafil through an inspection order, which is issued once the complaint is received. Sunafil follows a strict protocol in coordination with the Prosecutor’s Office, which includes immediate investigation of cases.
These procedures do not require additional evidence beyond the initial complaint, which facilitates the investigation by inspectors.
One of the main problems identified is the lack of response from companies to internal complaints.. Sunafil Verifies that employers follow the sexual harassment investigation protocol and that they offer to victims medical and psychological care. The failure of companies to take such measures may result in severe sanctions, including fines for failing to respond to complaints and for failing to comply with the investigation protocol.
