In Kerala, the state labour commissioner has issued fresh guidelines for employers, including precautionary measures to be taken amidst the second wave of the pandemic.
Employers have been advised against resorting to measures such as layoffs, lockout, retrenchment and termination. No trainees or casual, temporary or contractual workers can be dismissed nor can their salaries be deducted. Intervention of respective labour officers will be sought in case of a conflict between employers and employees in this issue.
The managements of plantations have been advised to organise mass vaccination camps to prevent the spread of the virus.
All employers have been advised to provide their employees with work-from-home facilities wherever possible, especially in Technopark and Infopark, primarily the IT and startup space.
Employers have been told not to force their staff to fulfil difficult targets and ensure their safety at all times, especially the workers involved in sales promotion work. Flexible schedules and online meetings have been encouraged in the circular to check the spread of the virus.
The circular directs all trade unions to avoid holding meetings for a specified period. Across the tea, spice and other plantations of the state, foreigners and visitors will be discouraged. The objective is to reduce any chances of interaction between visitors and plantation workers. Plantation managements have been advised to give rightful leaves to workers and refrain from cutting workers’ pay.
