How Can Employees Survive Without Pay When Factories Stay Closed Post-Lockdown?

Hi, I am a private employee who works in an imitation jewelry manufacturing unit in Hyderabad. The lockdown started on March 23, 2020, and ended in the middle of May 2020. During this period, no salary was paid. After the lockdown was lifted, the factory has not reopened yet, and there is no indication of when it will reopen. Can anyone suggest how an employee can survive without any salary? What do the norms say about this kind of situation?

Hi Mukesh,

Factories are allowed to function, but not mandated. In this case, the factory might open or not open, and dues might get paid or not paid as the recent Supreme Court order says it's not compulsory.

My advice would be to search for another job and get your dues cleared in the meanwhile.

Hi Dinesh, thanks for the reply. I agree, the Apex court said no work, no pay. Recently, it stated that the Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre and the states not to take any coercive action until the end of July against private companies that have not paid full wages to their employees during the coronavirus lockdown.

What does this mean?

Does it imply a total avoidance of pay, or partial payment? What exactly do you mean by dues?

There are around 30 employees and their families involved in this situation. What will they eat, and how will they feed their families? Please suggest.

True Mukesh, it's the same everywhere. All that we can do in this period is wait and watch as we cannot fight against the current organization as well as search for a new one until the current employer takes a call on the reopening date. I advise you to see if any of the government schemes can help, like PF withdrawal, that can assist you in sustaining the crisis. But one thing - next time when you choose a company, choose wisely!