As lockdown extends, Wages for the April to be paid

Gandhinagar: Govt has decided that the notification under section 34 of the Disaster Management Act will be extended to cover payment of wages to labourers and workers for the month of April. This is in view of extension of lockdown period till May 3. It shall apply to all workers and labourers of all Factories registered or otherwise under the Factories Act, as well as all shops and establishments and all households. It covers all workers with the contractors and all workers whether in the formal or informal sector. Anyone violating the notification shall be liable for punishment up to 1 year or fine or both under the provisions of The Disaster Management Act.

Vipul Mittra ACS ( Labour and Employment) said

“ This step is taken to ensure timely payment of wages to workers. Hon’ble PM mentioned in his address to the nation that people need to be sensitive towards their employees and not to remove anyone from service.” Mittra said that Hon’ble CM has also in the cabinet meeting held yesterday thru the video conference mentioned this. Accordingly, he has asked all collectors to extend the existing notification and to also activate the helpline to enforce payment of wages. “ So far wages to the tune of Rs 1458 crores have been paid to workers by formal sector employers. “ Mittra added, “ There is very good response , understanding and positive sensitivity by the industry and trade and Govt appreciates this. “ Mittra said.

It is worthwhile to mention that If these wages had not been paid, there would have been large scale unrest. Thanks to the timely payment of wages by employers and support of Govt in terms of the distribution of free rations and setting up of labour camps, mobile medical dispensaries and other steps taken , a Gujarat labour has been largely peaceful.