#Lockdown: Chandigarh Entrepreneur Arrested For Firing Employees During Coronavirus Outbreak

Coronavirus outbreak is serious, and we are right now at an extremely delicate point. If we are able to contain it in the next few weeks, we will make history.

In order to suppress the infections, PM Modi had announced a nation-wide lockdown, which started from March 25th.

During his speech, he had appealed to all employers and entrepreneurs, not to fire their employees, since there is no work, and it will become really tough to manage life.

Now, in a first of its case, an employer from Chandigarh was arrested, for firing employees during this lockdown.

It should send a strong message to every employer and entrepreneur in India: help and support their employees during this lockdown, and help contain coronavirus.

Chandigarh Employer Arrested For Firing Employees

Mahesh Kumar, resident of Sector 25 in Panchkula area of Chandigarh, owns a tavern in Mani Majra area. 

After the lockdown started, he fired 8 labourers, since there was no work and no business.

These 8 labourers started their journey back to Uttar Pradesh, on foot. A police party stopped them, and asked the reason.

By Firing Employees, Employers Are Breaking Law

When police came to know about their employer, they immediately arrested him for not following administrative orders, and for spreading the virus.

Govt has repeatedly informed one and all, that don’t venture out, stay at home, and follow the lockdown. By terminating the employees, Manoj Kumar not only broke the Disaster Management Act rules regarding employment, but also broke the lockdown rules.

Station House Officer, Mani Majra police station, Inspector Jaswinder Kaur informed that these 8 laborers have been placed at a shelter camp in Maloya area.

Notably, house owners are also asked not to press for rents from tenants, if they are not able to pay in time, due to the lockdown.

Police action can be taken against such violators.

We will keep you updated, as more details come in.