MHA order directing companies to pay full wages to employees during lockdown withdrawn

The government has withdrawn its order directing companies and commercial units to pay full wages to workers even when they are not in operation during the COVID-19-induced nationwide lockdown, which began on March 25.

The lockdown, imposed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, entered its fourth phase on Monday.

The government's move is expected to bring relief to a large number of industries and companies which were unable to pay full wages to their employees.

While issuing guidelines for the lockdown's fourth phase, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla's order on Sunday said, "Whereas, save as otherwise provided in the guidelines annexed to this order, all orders issued by National Executive Committee (NEC) under Section 10(2)(1) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, shall cease to have effect from 18.05.2020."