Every employer must have an Internal Complaints Committee. What is this?

What the Law Says

The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is a statutory body established under India’s primary law against workplace sexual harassment.

Every employer in India with 10 or more employees must constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at each office or branch. The ICC is responsible for receiving, investigating, and recommending action on complaints of sexual harassment by women employees.

The ICC must have a minimum of four members: a presiding officer (a senior woman employee), two members from among employees committed to women’s issues or familiar with labour/sexual harassment law, and one external member from an NGO or association committed to women’s rights. At least half the members must be women.

The ICC must complete its inquiry within 90 days of receiving a complaint, submit its report within 10 days of completion, and the employer must act on the recommendations within 60 days.

Statutory Text

Every employer shall constitute an Internal Complaints Committee at each office or branch, if the office or branch has ten or more employees.

— Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, s. 4(1) — Constitution of Internal Complaints Committee

Statutory Text

The Internal Complaints Committee shall complete the inquiry within a period of ninety days.

— Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, s. 11(1) — Inquiry into complaint

Statutory Text

The Internal Complaints Committee shall provide a report of its findings to the employer or the District Officer, as the case may be, within a period of ten days from the date of completion of the inquiry.

— Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, s. 13(1) — Inquiry report

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