> Fully agreed with all the points you have made. 
> However, you are   missing one important difference between the original 
> issue  and your  proposed solution: communities choosing to enhance their own 
> > security   are doing precisely that: choosing.  There had not been
> any fiat from on   top forcing them them enhance their security.

This was certainly not a FIAT from top. There was public uproar. Companies 
themselves felt better be 'safe' than sorry. Womens commission took note of IT. 
ITHI and ITEC did campaigns and there was considerable support from young 
women. Infact the current women commission objected to the exemption. Finally 
the 'fiat' . its another matter that there is very poor enforcement of any 
'law' especially ones concerning people . 

>  Workers would  then have a choice   as to whether or not they wish to join 
> such  organisations.  If the need   for extra security is great enough, 
> organisations that do  not provide   such facilities will automatically find 
> themselves short of  appropriately skilled workers, and either change their  
> policies or   change their line of business.

>> As P Sainath said if people had a choice in 'free market' they would have 
>> eaten and not commit suicides. We unfortunately live in a society when 
>> 'choice' is limited. Maybe there is choice for some. But the choice of the 
>> minority cannot be imposed on the 'choiceless' majority. 

Ofcourse it would be great if women walk the streets in midnight without fear 
like men do ( like to a certain extent in Bombay and some developed cities 
abroad and maybe i am wrong) but till then stop gap measures are certainly 
needed . and certainly there is a role for government in this. and so do big 
companies which can certainly afford the same. problem is non-implementation. 
and confusing theories which dont ensure the government work towards the 
commons.

in the unorganised sectors like garment workers. family members provide this 
secuirty and the companies themseleves dont operate night shifts . and the case 
of sexual abuse is not uncommon . unfortunately thats the extent of choice we 
have in this society. 

http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/bangalore-these-women-face-abuse-at-work-place-91706

women in IT compared to garment workers have certainly some more choice. but 
will definitely work extra hours risking security to ensure their livelihoods 
are guaranteed ( because the IT companies incentivise this) and . IT companies 
incentivise this and keep their work floor open 24X7 and certainly make a 
profit out of this. Some social responsibility is not bad. and how much choice 
a IT workers themselves have in-spite of better salary is a question. And all 
this was not so earlier. it was only after prathiba case they felt its better 
to be 'safe than sorry' and take some responsibility. otherwise you would know 
its so hard to convince any 'boss' especially the IT ones on 'social 
responsibility' !


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