Understanding Paid Holidays in Maharashtra
There is a difference between leave, a weekly off, and a Paid Holiday. A weekly off is something that every employee gets as their right for the work done during the week. Leaves are a right of an employee, but they can take them as per their wish and when required. These are either Casual Leave, Sick Leave, or Privilege Leave as per the company structure.
Paid Holidays
Regarding Paid Holidays, every company offers paid leave to its employees on various occasions depending on the festivals of the states, so it varies according to the states. However, there are three compulsory holidays or statutory holidays mandated by the Government of India: 26th January, 15th August, and 2nd October. Any factory or establishment must remain closed on these days irrespective of the law under which it is covered. In the state of Maharashtra, since Maharashtra Day falls on 1st May, it is a statutory holiday, and the institutes (factories or establishments) are required to be closed.
If the establishment cannot be closed, the employees or workers are required to be paid two times their pay for that particular day, in addition to what they would have received for a normal working day. For example, if a worker is earning Rs. 100 for that day, they would receive Rs. 100 as their daily pay plus an additional Rs. 200 as extra pay or overtime for the work done, or it can be compensated with two compensatory offs as per the company policy.
Regards,
Sulakshana