Allow your staff to vote or pay fine!

The labour department will impose fine on the owners of private firms who will not allow their staff to exercise their franchise in the Lok Sabha elections on April 30.

The department issued a notice in this regard after it came to the notice of the labour commissioner that some companies and private employers have told their employees that they would have to come to the office and would not be allowed to go out to vote.

State labour commissioner and chief electoral officer (CEO), Gujarat, said the establishments registered under the Mumbai Shops and Institute Act 1948, business houses, industries and service agencies would have to close their establishments on voting day and would have to grant leaves to labourers and employees so that they could cast their votes.

According to rules, the employers cannot cut salary of the employees who take leave to use their franchise. Even those establishments which are out of any parliament constituency going to vote, and their employees staying in that constituency, will have to close the units and grant paid leave to employees.

According to the commissioner, employees are entitled to the day’s salary under section 135-B(1) of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951. Under section 135-B, the daily wage-earners and casual workers are also entitled to paid leave.

The commissioner said the employers found violating these instructions would be fined Rs500 under section 1 and sub-section 2 of the Act.  The employees who find any hindrance in exercising their right can complain to the labour commissioner or the election officer.

However, the commissioner has allowed relaxation in rules for those employers who find that granting leaves to their employees would cause great loss to the company.