THE Western Cape provincial government is introducing steps to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace, premier Helen Zille announced yesterday.

THE Western Cape provincial government is introducing steps to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace, premier Helen Zille announced yesterday.

The difficulty of establishing the facts relating to recent allegations of sexual harassment necessitated establishing functional systems so that any infringement could be dealt with to uphold the rights of all involved, she said.

"In these matters, it is a top priority to establish the facts. Rumour, innuendo and agendas complicate matters and infringe the rights of all concerned," Zille said.

A functional policy was necessary to prevent people being frightened of reporting cases of sexual harassment for fear of victimisation or losing their jobs, she said.

The existing departmental counsellors would be given intensive training in dealing with all elements of sexual harassment before May 1. - Sapa