COVID-19: MHA asks private security agencies to protect employees from layoff, pay cuts

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an advisory to private security agencies asking them to protect their employees from layoff and pay cuts during the lockdown period, which has been imposed in the entire country in wake of coronavirus epidemic. In the advisory, the MHA has urged all agencies to have a 'humane' approach and directed them to ensure that the workers continue to be treated "on duty and paid accordingly"."India is facing an unprecedented situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has also affected economic activity. It is possible that private security agencies may be impacted due to closure of shops, malls and other establishments. This is the time for the private security industry to adopt a humane approach and protect its workers and staff members from lay-offs and consequent decrease in earnings," the MHA said. "Therefore, urge the Industry for empathy with its workforce, vital to its functioning and ensure that these workers continue to be treated on duty and paid according," it added.

The guidelines issued by the MHA come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown in the country to deal with the spread of coronavirus, saying that "social distancing" is the only option to deal with the disease, which spreads rapidly.

In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Modi said that it is vital to break the chain of the disease and experts have said that at least 21 days are needed for it.