Three-fourth of the commercial establishments that were inspected across Chennai region were found not to have granted holiday with pay to their workers on Independence Day last week. And now, they are facing action from the Commissioner of Labour.
A total of 2,738 such units across the State have been issued show-cause notices by the office of the Commissioner of Labour for violating the Tamil Nadu Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, 1958 and its amendments.
Of the 1,434 units inspected, 1,074 were found to have not granted holiday on Independence Day with pay. In the Coimbatore region, 946 units were inspected and 598 of them were found violating the rule.
In Tiruchi and Madurai regions, 996 and 857 units were inspected and of them, 533 each in both regions were found violating the law.
“Catering units and eateries were the defaulters mostly followed by shops and motor transport organisations. All of these units across the State would face action,” a senior official said.
They have been issued show cause notices and if they were found to be violating the rule for the first time, compounding fee would be collected.
“If they are found to be repeat violator of the law, prosecution would be initiated against them,” he said.
National holidays
According to the Act, four national holidays in a calendar year – January 26, May 1, August 15 and October 2 — and any five festival days are to be granted holiday with pay by commercial units to their workers.
Through an amendment, the State government had in July last year extended this rule even to emergency holidays it declares due to any emergency or special circumstances prevailing in the State.
