LONDON, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- The British government should change the law so that employers have a legal duty to make sure their workplaces are harassment-free, the country's main trade union body has said.
Despite higher levels of awareness, cases of workplace sexual harassment remain alarmingly high in Britain, said the Trades Union Congress (TUC), urging that the law on sexual harassment must be changed on the role of the employers.
"Currently there is no legal requirement for employers to prevent sexual harassment happening in their workplaces. Instead, it is up to the victim to report it after it has happened," said the TUC.
"The government must stop dragging its feet and change the law. Employers, not victims, should be responsible for tackling harassment at work," said TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady.
The TUC suggested employers take simple preventive steps like carrying out mandatory training for all staff and managers and having clear policies.
The union made the call following a report showing that 72 percent of women and 78 percent of young people think the #MeToo movement has allowed people to speak more openly about sexual harassment at work in Britain.
However, 52 percent of women and 63 percent of young women aged from 18 to 24 in the country have experienced workplace sexual harassment, said the report.
