Government Allows Up To 50% SEZ Employees To Work From Home

The government has allowed up to 50% employees including contractual staffs working in special economic zones to work from home.

"As per the new notification, work from home may be extended to maximum 50% of total employees including contractual employees of the unit," the Department of Commerce said in a notification.

However, development commissioner of SEZ may approve a higher number of employees to WFH for any bona-fide reason to be recorded in writing, the ministry said.

The ministry has inserted this new rule—43A(work from home) in the Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006.

Currently, WFH has been 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 request of units," the notification said.

For employees already working from home, the ministry has provided a transition period of 90 days to seek approval from their respective development commissioners, the notification said.

The notification provides WFH for following category of employees of a unit in SEZ:

- Employees of IT SEZ units.

- Employees, who are temporarily incapacitated.

- Employees, who are travelling.

- Employees, who are working offsite.

Department of Commerce said that SEZ units will have to provide equipment and secured connectivity for the purpose of WFH.

The notification was issued after several industry representatives demanded a country wide uniform WFH policy across all SEZs.