'From 12 noon to 3 pm'; labourers who work in the sun and go out should be aware of this decision

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the onset of summer in Kerala and the temperature rising steadily during the day, there is a possibility of workers working in the sun in various parts of the state suffering from sunstroke. Therefore, as per the provisions of Sections 24 and 25 of the Kerala Minimum Wages Act, 1958, the working hours of employees working in the sun in the state have been rearranged as follows from February 12 to May 20. The conditions to be followed by the inspection officers have been fixed accordingly.

1. All workers working in the sun during the day will have a rest period from 12.00 noon to 3.00 pm. Their working hours are fixed at 8 hours between 7.00 am and 7.00 pm. For workers working on shift basis, the morning shift is rearranged so that it ends at 12.00 pm and the afternoon shift starts at 3.00 pm.
2. Areas above 3,000 feet above sea level and not exposed to sun are exempted from the scope of this order.
3. If the period under this order needs to be changed in case of any local emergency, a report in this regard will be submitted to the concerned Regional Joint Labour Commissioner/Chief Inspector of Plantations Labour Commissioner.
4. Daily inspections will be carried out with special attention given to construction sites and road construction sectors. Three teams will be formed in all districts under the leadership of District Labour Officer/Deputy Labour Officer/Assistant Labour Officer Grade-1. These teams will conduct inspections in the respective sectors every day, the order of the Labour Commissioner also states.