TN directs commercial units to grant paid holiday for bypoll

Tamil Nadu government today directed commercial establishments here to grant paid holiday on June 27 for employees to cast their votes in the Radhakrishnan Nagar bypoll from where Jayalalithaa is seeking election to the Assembly post her acquittal in a wealth case.
According to a release from the office of Commissioner of Labour said industrial, commercial and catering establishments, shops, factories, and motor transport undertakings, among others, in Chennai have to grant holiday to employees of all kinds--daily wage, casual and contract workers.
The establishments "are requested to grant holiday with wages on June 27, (with it) being the poll day, to all the employees as per the voters list," it said.

As per the Representation of the People Act, 1951, employers have to grant leave with wages to employees to exercise their franchise, it added.
CPI's C Mahendran is the main rival for the AIADMK supremo in the bypoll which was necessitated following the resignation of ruling party's P Vetrivel last month.