WEBINAR – THE SUPREME COURT ORDER ON PAYMENT OF WAGES

COVID-19 has caused severe impacts on business which may take several months, or even years, to
resolve. The special circumstances caused by the pandemic and lockdown have caused widespread
business closure, with equally adverse effects on employers and employees. The nature of all
industries and establishments is different and they have different abilities to pay wages in respect of
periods of closure or limited operation – there is no “one size fits all” solution. Despite loss of market
demand and business closure during lockdown, the Ministry of Home Affairs on March 29, 2020
directed employers to pay full wages to employees.

The discussion will be around:

• Was the MHA’s March 29, 2020 Order within its powers under the National Disaster
Management Act, 2005?

• The Government’s intent to prevent migration of workers through issuing the Order to pay
wages did not have the desired result – what next?

• What will be the impact on employer-employee working relations as they try to reach a
settlement as directed by the Supreme Court?

• Can businesses and employees’ unions have fruitful negotiations and reach balanced
settlement without prejudice to the return to work post unlock, as directed by the Supreme
Court of India on June 12, 2020?

SICC India – Webinar – The Supreme Court Order on Payment of Wages