Legal Updates
Department of Commerce Notifies Work from home Rule for Employees
Department of Commerce (“Department”) had on the 19th day of July 2022 issued a notification for the purpose of amending Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006 (“Rules”) by inserting a new rule, namely Rule 43A – Work from Home (“WFH”), details of which are produced as under:-
- The notification provides WFH for the following category of employees of a unit in SEZ:
- Employees of IT/ITeS SEZ units
- Employees, who are temporarily incapacitated
- Employees, who are traveling
- Employees, who are working offsite;
- As per the notification, WFH may be extended to a maximum 50% of total employees including contractual employees of the unit. However, the Development Commissioner (DC) of SEZs has the power to approve a higher number of employees (more than 50%) for any bonafide reason;
- WFH is now allowed for a maximum period of one year. However, the Department has the power to extend this for a period of one year on the request of units. In respect of SEZ units whose employees are already working from home, the notification has provided a transition period of 90 days to seek approval;
- SEZ Units will provide equipment and secured connectivity for the purpose of WFH to an employee;
The complete text of the Notification may be viewed at the below link:
Last updated: 28/07/2022
Article contributed by:
Associate – Legal