In the wake of the coronavirus menace, the Karnataka Labour Department has asked the private sector employers to not lay off a single employee. These companies have also been asked to pay their wages on time without any deductions during the lockdown period.
A circular has been issued to this effect directing the private-sector employers to abstain from layoffs or unpaid leaves during this countrywide lockdown. “Employees will be paid wages on the due date without any deduction during this period,” tweeted Labour Minister Shivaram Hebbar.
According to the circular, employees who take leave amidst this lockdown, should be considered to be on duty without any effective cut in their salaries. Anyone trying to violate this order, would be punished under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. A helpline will be set up within 48 hours in this regard. The lockdown that came into effect on March 25 was to expire on the midnight of April 14, but has been extended.
The Karnataka government has recently also launched a COVID-19 helpdesk in collaboration with instant messaging service,Whatsapp. The helpdesk will provide latest updates and facts pertaining to the outbreak.
A poster that promoted the platform carried the words, “Official channels for facts and updates on Covid in Karnataka. Say hi to 8750971717. Avoid misinformation.”
There is a link that directs users to the verified Whatsapp account, GoK Corona Helpdesk, which is being run by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.
