Understanding Punjab's Holiday and Leave Laws: How Does It Affect Your Workplace?

The Punjab Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays and Casual and Sick Leave) Act, 1965

The Act provides for the grant of National and Festival Holidays and Casual and Sick Leave to persons employed in Industrial Establishments in the State. The Act is applicable to every factory as defined in clause (m) of Section 2 of the Factories Act, 1948, or any place which is deemed to be a factory under Sub-Section 85 of that Act.

Regulatory Provisions

The Act provides for paid holidays on three national holidays: 26th January for Republic Day, 15th August for Independence Day, and 2nd October for Gandhi Jayanti, besides five festival holidays every year. It also provides for seven casual leaves and seven sick leaves in a calendar year. The employer has to maintain records of the workers in this regard as per the formats provided in the rules.

Administrative Machinery

All the Inspecting Officers of the Labour Department are notified as inspectors for the purpose of this Act. Upon receipt of complaints, inspections are conducted by the inspectors. For any violation, prosecution is filed in the Court of the respective area Metropolitan Magistrate by the Inspectors.

I highly appreciate your approach in sharing the provisions of the Punjab Industrial Establishment (National and Festival Holiday Act) with the forum members. Additionally, the act is also applicable to the Shop and Commercial Establishments operating in Haryana State.

Regards,
R B Yadav
Advocate

Dear Members,

This is to clarify that the Punjab Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holiday, Casual, and Sick Leave) Act of 1965, as applicable to Punjab, Haryana, and UT Chandigarh, applies only to units covered under the Factories Act and Plantation Act. In accordance with Section 4, we are required to allow seven Casual Leave (CL) and Sick Leave for 14 days each calendar year in a manner and under conditions as prescribed.

Additionally, according to Section 5, if a worker is not entitled to sickness benefits under the ESI Act or sickness allowance under the Plantation Labour Act, they shall be paid wages for the sick leave days granted under this Act at a rate equivalent to one-half of their average daily wage.

It is worth noting that in Haryana, the Punjab Shops Act of 1958 allows for seven CL and seven Sick Leave days during the year (Section 14(4)).

Regards,
R N KHOLA