Layoff of workers in ICT banned during shutdown

Islamabad: The chief commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory on Monday banned the layoff of all kinds of workers in the region during the current coronavirus-induced lockdown and said all those workers would be paid salaries, remunerations and wages in full by their respective employers during the period.

According to a notification issued by the office of the chief commissioner, the period of closure will be considered to be that of the paid leave by workers.

The chief commissioner under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1958, Act empowers the ICT director (industries and labour) to issue any further orders, directions or notices for the implementation of the layoff restriction order in letter and spirit.

"Any person facilitating, in any manner, the defiance of this order issued under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1958 shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code as provided under Section 3 of the Act as well as applicable labour laws," notification said.

The chief commissioner or director (industries and labour) will take any legal action on any contravention of this order or the direction/order/notices issued pursuance to it including action under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code and applicable labour laws.