CHANDIGARH 29th March 2020: In a step to check exodus of migrant laborers due to covid-19 outbreak, Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh has taken the decision in a cabinet meeting and allowed Punjab industries & brick kilns to start operations if they can accommodate and can provide food to such labour within their industry premises.
Punjab Govt. was also in discussion with Radha Soami Satsang Beas to allow migrant labourers to stay in its bhawans as these laborers would be required for wheat harvesting in two weeks’ time. This organization has already offered its bhawans as quarantine facilities for the suspective cases of coronavirus.
The chief minister Capt. Amarinder Singh, has asked the owners of industrial units and brick kilns to ensure that social distancing should be maintained and all hygiene and safety measures & precautions arrangement must available for laborers. The decision has been taken amid reports of lakhs of migrant labourers getting stranded across the country and such labourers gathering in large numbers at various state borders and cities.
Punjab Govt. labour department has also issued an advisory to employers and owners of private establishments like industries, factories, shops, and commercial establishments not to terminate their employees, particularly casual and contractual workers, from their jobs. It has also been directed that employers should not deduct wages or or salary of their employees due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
