New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday asked states not to take any coercive action against private firms for failing to pay full wages to their employees during the lockdown period.
The apex court asked states to facilitate settlement between private companies and their employees over wage payment and submit a report before labour commissioners.
“We directed no coercive action to be taken against employers. Our earlier orders will continue,” the court said.
It also asked the Centre to file affidavit within four weeks on legality of March 29 circular that mandated payment of full wages during lockdown.
The court was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by several companies, challenging the Ministry of Home Affairs order to pay full salaries to employees during the 54 days of lockdown.
“Industries and labourers need each other and efforts should be made to resolve dispute over wage payments,” the court said.
The court had on June 4 observed that some negotiations have to happen between employers and workers to iron out what has to be done for the salary for these 54 days.
