Is It Legal for My Hotel Employer to Use Paid Leave for Partial Salary During Lockdown?

My employer paid 30% of the salary during the lockdown period for April and then did not provide any salary for May. Now, they have marked PL (Paid Leave) for April, for which they paid 30%, thus exhausting my entire PL until next year. Is this legal? I work in the hotel industry. According to my employer's administrative department, "work from home" will not be considered during the lockdown. Then why was I made to work on emails, etc., during the lockdown?

In the situation described, it is important to consider the legal aspects of labor laws in India, specifically the Shops and Establishments Act, which governs various aspects of employment, including working hours, leaves, and wages. According to the law, if an employee is required to work during a lockdown period, they are entitled to their full wages for that duration. If an employer has deducted wages or marked leave without pay during this time, it could be a violation of labor laws.

To address this issue:
1. Review your employment contract and company policies to understand the terms regarding leaves and wages during extraordinary circumstances like a lockdown.
2. Document all instances where you were required to work and the corresponding compensation provided by the employer.
3. Seek clarification from the HR department or management regarding the discrepancies in wage payment and leave deductions.
4. If necessary, consider reaching out to labor authorities or legal counsel to address any potential violations of labor laws and seek resolution.

It is essential to ensure that your rights as an employee are protected and that any actions taken by the employer comply with the relevant labor regulations.