‘Landmark step towards securing staff’s freedom’

These committees can seek reports from companies about their rules, look into a firm’s layoffs due to financial reasons, act upon complaints about overtime work, and delve into discussions for additional payment for overtime work. The bill also proposes that the panel can instruct the companies to set up counselling facilities for employees.

Techies have wholeheartedly welcomed the bill and urged the government to introduce it in the assembly. Prathidhwani, the welfare organisation of IT employees across the state, posted on Facebook that the bill “is a landmark step towards safeguarding the mental health, dignity and personal freedom of private sector employees in Kerala”. It also appreciated the bill’s suggestion to set up grievance redressal committees in each district.

“Before Covid, the work culture was more relaxed, with everyone coming to the office and working on desktop systems. The pandemic led to a situation where firms started providing laptops, and thereby initiated the always-on work mode,” said a professional.

Meanwhile, former director general of prosecution T Asaf Ali said overcoming the legal hurdles for a private bill to become a law is a tedious process. “The better option that can be sought is an additional remuneration for the additional time you do your work,” he said.

He said the draft bill will help bring the employees’ issues before the people, and highlight further actions that should be initiated by the cabinet.