Good news for Karnataka private sector employees from Yediyurappa government - All you need to know

In a major development, the Karnataka labour department has directed private sector employers in the state not to lay off workers and pay them wages on the due date without any deduction during the lock down. "The labour department has issued a circular directing the private sector employers to abstain from layoffs or unpaid leaves during this countrywide lockdown. Employees would be paid wages on the due date without any deduction during this period," Labour Minister Shivaram Hebbar tweeted. The Minister also posted the order copy, signed by the Secretary, Labour Department, P Manivannan.

What does the order say?
 
-During COVID-19 emergency situation, employers of all public/private organisations should not layoff their employees, especially casual or contract workers and their wages should not be cut
 
- If any employee has taken leave during this period, they should be considered to be on duty without any effective cut in their salaries.
 
- On not being able to function at work place due to COVID-19, such working unit employees should be considered as on duty
 
- Any violation would be punishable under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
 
- A helpline will be set up within 48 hours in this regard
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that the current lockdown will be extended till May 3, saying it is very necessary to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the country. In a televised address to the nation, Modi said implementation of the lockdown will be strictly ensured in coming days to ensure that the virus does not spread to new areas. The prime minister said detailed guidelines on implementation of the new lockdown will be announced on Wednesday.
 
Meanwhile, the death toll due to coronavirus infection in the country rose to 339 while the number of cases soared to 10,363 on Tuesday, said the Union Health Ministry. While the number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 8,988, as many as 1,035 people have been cured and discharged and one had migrated, it said. The total number of cases include 72 foreign nationals. Fifteen deaths have been reported since Monday evening, of which 11 were reported from Maharashtra and four from Delhi.