Team Herald
PANJIM: As Goa goes for lockdown till March 31, the State government has asked the private and public establishments in the State not to terminate the services of its employees even if they go on leave in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
In the directions issued on Tuesday, State Labour Commissioner Raju Gawas has also asked these establishments not to deduct the wages of their employees.
“In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and in consistent efforts of the government requesting the citizens to remain at home and not to venture out, will constraint the workers/ employees to report for work,” Gawas said.
He said that during this period, there could be incident that under this pretext, the employer may dispense with the service of the workers or may force the workers/ employees to go on leave without wages/ salaries.
“In the backdrop of such challenging situation, all the employers of public/private establishments are requested to extend their coordination by not terminating their employees, particularly casual or contract workers, from jobs or reduce their wages,” he said.
“If the place of employment is to be made non-operational due to COVID-19, the employees of such units will be deemed to be on duty,” Gawas added.
“Termination of employees from jobs or reduction of wages will further deepen the crisis and will not only weaken the financial condition of the employee, but also hamper their morale to combat the epidemic,” Gawas said.
