ITANAGAR, March 25 - In view of the countrywide lockdown due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Labour and Employment Department of Arunachal Pradesh Government today issued an order, stipulating that there will be no deduction of wages or salaries of persons employed in public and private sector establishments, shops, factories and offices in the State.
�In view of the lockdown, a large number of workers/labourers are unable to go to their workplace. Such an absence from duty cannot be construed to be a wilful absence as it has been necessitated by statutory and executive orders of the Central and State Governments,� read the order issued by Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar.
�The absence from duty during the period of lockdown shall not be considered for deduction of wages under sub-section 2(b) of Section 7 of the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 and other relevant provisions regulating the payment of wages to workers,� it said.
�If the place of employment is to be made non-operational due to COVID-19, the employees of such unit shall be deemed to be on duty,� it added.
