Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, has issued a directive to all Hoteliers, Guest House Owners, and Homestay Operators across the state to take immediate and proactive measures to safeguard vulnerable children and ensure a safe, respectful working environment for women within the hospitality sector.
This directive comes in view of rising concerns related to incidents of child exploitation and abuse taking place within lodging establishments, often due to negligence. It has also been observed that women, particularly in the hotel industry, are increasingly vulnerable to harassment at the workplace — necessitating strict compliance with the relevant legal provisions.
As per Section 8(10) of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003, all hotels and establishments providing boarding or lodging facilities are mandated to:
– Ensure that children are protected from any form of abuse or exploitation within their premises, including adjoining accessible areas such as beaches and parks;
– Prohibit entry of children into any room unless they are registered as staying with family members, relatives, or persons related by blood;
– Restrict children’s access to unfiltered internet services and objectionable content including videos, films, cable, or any other medium provided within the premises;
– Accept full responsibility by the Owner or Manager for any contravention of the Act, which is punishable with imprisonment up to three years and/or a fine up to ₹1,00,000/-.
Further, all establishments are reminded of their obligations under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act). As per the Act, employers are required to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to provide an effective redressal mechanism for cases of sexual harassment at the workplace. The employer must also ensure regular training of staff on appropriate workplace conduct and submit an annual report to the Local Committee detailing complaints received and action taken.
Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, stated,”Goa is committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for not just for visitors, but also for those working within the tourism sector. All stakeholders are urged to comply strictly with the provisions of law and implement all required safeguards for the protection of children and women. This is a collective responsibility and non-negotiable.”
All accommodation providers operating within Goa are instructed to comply with these statutory obligations without exception.The Department seeks the full cooperation of all stakeholders to uphold Goa’s reputation as a safe, responsible, and inclusive tourism destination.
