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The Commerce and Industry Ministry has announced new Work-from-Home guidelines

New Rule 43A for WFH

Image Credits: PTI

On July 19th, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said work from home (WFH) is allowed for a maximum time period of one year in a special economic zone unit and can be extended to 50 percent of the total employees.

The Centre on Tuesday notified a new rule, 43A, for Work from Home in Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006.

COVID-19, a pandemic that swept across the world, forced businesses to keep their employees’ health at the top of their priority list and opt for a work-from-home model. However, in the present scenario, more employees prefer the hybrid model.

New Rule

The ministry mentions that the notification has been issued in the wake of increasing demands from the industry to make a provision for a countrywide uniform work from home policy across all SEZs.

“Work from home is now allowed for a maximum period of one year. However, the same may further be extended for a period of one year at a time by the DC on the requests of units,” the Ministry said.

The new rule 43A enables the option of work from home for the employees of IT/ITeS Special Economic Zone units, those who are temporarily incapacitated, and those who are travelling and working offsite.

In respect of SEZs whose employees are already working from home, the notification has provided a transition period of 90 days to seek approval.

The ministry said. “SEZ units will provide equipment and secured connectivity for WFH to perform authorized operations of the units and the permission to take out the equipment is co-terminus with the permission granted to an employee.”

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