New Delhi, India (CU)_ The Union Commerce Ministry has issued new guidelines for the work-from-home system in companies throughout the nation. As per the new rules, work-from-home (WFH) is permitted for a maximum of one year in a special economic zone unit and can be granted to a maximum of 50 percent of the total employees. The Department of Commerce has announced a new rule 43A for the WFH in Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006. According to the official statement released by the Centre, new SEZ standards have been established in response to several employee demands.
The notification released by the Commerce Ministry states that the guidelines for a nationwide standard WFH policy throughout all Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been drafted in response to a request from the sector. The new rule allows a particular group of SEZ employees to work from home. According to the announcement, workers of IT/ITeS SEZ units, employees who are temporarily unable to work, and workers who are traveling and working offsite are eligible to work from home.
In addition, the Center added that WFH may be granted to up to fifty percent of all employees, including contractual workers of the unit. The announcement further said that work from home is permitted for a maximum of one year. According to reports, SEZ Units will deliver equipment and secure connection for WFH to conduct authorized activities of the units, and the authorization to take out the equipment will expire when the employee’s permit expires.
According to the Center’s notification, “Work From Home is now allowed for a maximum period of one year. However, the same may further be extended for one year at a time by the DC on the request of units.” The Commerce ministry added, “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.”
