#Coronavirus Lockdown: These Central Govt Employees Will Get Full Salary Even If They Don’t Work

The Central government issued an order on Monday stating that all the contractual workers in central government offices, ministries and departments shall receive full payment of their wages during the lockdown period in several states amid the coronavirus crisis.

This came as a major relief for outsourced professionals and contractual workers. All such workers will be deemed to be “on duty” during “such period of absence and necessary pay or wages would be paid,” the order added. 

Finance Ministry’s Department of Expenditure Provides Relief to Contractual Workers

As a measure of social distancing and to contain the spread of the virus, many state governments have announced a lockdown in India. Just yesterday PM Modi announced that the country will be in a state of absolute locked for the next 21 days, until April 15.

In such a case, speaking of government offices, only those officials who’re absolutely needed for delivering ‘essential services’ are to report to work, according to a recent directive by the central government.

This is why most of the contractual staff has been asked not to come to office for work. The instruction shall be in force till April 30, as per an official memorandum by the Department of Expenditure.

Sitharaman mentioned in a tweet that due to social distancing and isolation measures to contain the spread of COVID19, there is a likelihood of number of contractual labour & outsourced staff working for Govt of India being unable to attend work, resulting in deduction in wages, thus causing hardship to them.

Finance Ministry Advises Private Cos to Follow

“The @FinMinIndia has issued orders to declare this period as ‘on duty’ and wages paid accordingly. (2/2) #IndiaFightsCorona,” the minister said in a second tweet.

The office memorandum issued by the Department of Expenditure said that the instruction shall also apply to subordinate offices and statutory bodies of the Central government.

The labour and employment ministry had earlier issued an advisory to all private companies requesting them to follow a similar measure, i.e. to  treat their workers to be ‘on duty’ and not deduct their wages if they are compelled to sit at home due to the pandemic.

FM Announces Important News for Food-grains Too

In another important announcement, FM said that in a bid to ensure adequate supply of food grains to the public and financially assist the state governments, Department of Expenditure, has agreed to the Food and Public Distribution Department’s proposal that food grain for 3 months can be lifted by States/ UTs on credit from Food Corporation of India (FCI).

This shall ensure that states do not face any cash constraint in distributing food to those in need. 

Image Source