Taking strict measures to ensure the prevention of sexual abuse and trafficking of girls/women and to ensure the security of consumers as well as employees, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approved new guidelines for the functioning of spas and massage centres in the national Capital.
According to the new guidelines any kind of cross-gender massage is strictly prohibited in the premises of any spa and massage centre.
The Government also laid out guidelines for the protection of children from sexual offences, preventing sexual harassment and trafficking among others.
After the issue was flagged up by the Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), a task force was constituted to investigate into the report submitted by it and to take appropriate legal action and review the functioning of the establishments.
The order lays out some specific provisions that the centres will have to follow to ensure utmost safety inside their premises like the provisions of self-closing doors and prohibition on latches and bolts inside the doors of the massage centre chambers while keeping external doors open during working hours. The centres will also need to have separate toilets and bathrooms for men and women as well as separate changing rooms.
As per the new guidelines, the centres will only be able to employ people aged above 18 who possess a degree/diploma/certificate in physiotherapy, acupressure or occupational therapy. “Owners will also need to obtain police clearance certificates for all employees and undertake police verification of the premises,” according to the order.
The DCW had informed the Government about various irregularities and sexual abuse of girls/women employed at the spas and massage centres in the city. A task force was constituted in this regard by the Delhi Government to investigate into the report and suggestions of the DCW were incorporated further into the guidelines.