Extension of exemption from Standing Orders in Karnataka for IT/ITES.

The Government of Karnataka vide Notification No. LD 328 LET 2023 dated 10-Jun-2024, notified the extension of exemption for IT/ITES companies from the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act for five more years with effect from the date of publication of the notification in the gazette.

Extension of Exemption to IT/ITES Establishment in Telangana.

The Government of Telangana vide Gazette Notification No.5 dated 7-Jun-2024 extended the exemption from Section 15 ( hours of opening/closing), 16 (working on all days of a week), 21 (night shift for young persons), 23 (night shift for women), and 31 (national holidays and working on other holidays) of the Telangana Shops and Establishments Act, 1988 for a period of 4 ( four) years from 30-May-2024 for all Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) and IT establishments in Telangana, subject to certain conditions like paying overtime wages, giving a weekly off, providing adequate security to young and women employees during night shift etc.

Maharashtra LWF contribution increased from June 2024.

Government of Maharashtra vide Public Notice dated 06-Jun-2024 on its website notified the effective date as June 2024 for the Maharashtra Labour Welfare Fund amendment notified in office gazette in March 2024, wherein the contribution to be deducted every half year from employees is increased to INR 6/- to INR 25/- per employee while employer is required to contribute INR 75/- per employee every half year.

ESIC Circular on HIV or AIDS diagnosis as per Supreme Court Direction.

Employees’ State Insurance Corporation vide Circular dated 23-May-2024, directed all ESIC hospitals in the country to implement treatment and diagnostic facilities relating to HIV or AIDS, as per Supreme Court Judgment dated 26-Sep-2023.

Minimum Wages Notification in States.

Government of Chhattisgarh vide Notification No.3302 dated 24-May-2024, notified the minimum wages applicable from 01-Apr-2024 to 30-Sep-2024 in respect of 45 categories of employment.

Government of Madhya Pradesh vide Notification No.15817 dated 24-May-2024, notified the minimum wages applicable from 01-Apr-2024 to 30-Sep-2024 across the State.

Government of Uttar Pradesh vide Notification No.1789 dated 16-May-2024, notified the minimum wages applicable from 01-Apr-2024 to 30-Sep-2024 in respect of 74 categories of employments.

Extension of due date for Enrolment Fee / Annual Return on Tax on Profession in States.

The Government of Karnataka vide Order No. FD 02 CPT 2024 dated 30-May-2024, extended the due date for payment of annual enrolment fees for the financial year from 30-Apr-2024 to 31-May-2024, due to technical glitches faced by employers on the professional tax portal.

The Government of West Bengal vide Order dated 31-May-2024, extended the due date for filing of annual return to 15-Jun-2024 (electronically) and 30-Jun-2024 by paper form.

Amendment of Karnataka Stamp Act to stop payment by demand draft.

The Karnataka Government vide Gazette Notification dated 10-Jun-2024, amended the Karnataka Stamp Act, 1957 by omitting the words by payment of demand draft, thereby mandating payment of stamp duty in Karnataka only through treasury challans and stoppage of payment of stamp duty through demand drafts or pay orders.

Precautionary measures due to Heat Waves.

Office of Delhi Labour Commissioner vide Circular No.1039 dated 27-May-2024, directed jurisdictional officers to ensure that all the factories, shops and establishments etc, should make arrangements of providing coolers/fans, avoid work during peak hours (12 to 4 PM) etc.

Office of District Magistrate in Haryana, vide Order dated 31-May-2024, directed employers and contractors to arrange for ice packs, allot minimum outdoor work during 12PM to 4 p.m., cover medical costs of workers etc.

Government of Tamil Nadu vide Circular No.9958 dated 09-May-2024, restricted Building and Other Construction Work (BOCW) employments conducted outside under the sun between 10 am to 4 pm till the end of the month of May 2024.

EPFO Interest Declaration for 2023-24.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment vide Circular dated 24-May-2024, approved rate of interest @ 8.25% on EPF accumulations for the financial year 2023-24.

Online EPF claims- removal of uploading cheque or bank statement.

The EPFO vide circular No.1333 dated 28-May-2024 removed mandatory uploading image of cheque leave / attested bank passbook in case of online claims, if bank-KYC has been done by concerned Bank/NPSI or by the employer using DSC.

EPF physical death claim settlement without Aadhaar seeded UAN.

The EPFO Vide Circular No. E25432 dated 17-May-2024, clarified that as a temporary measure, processing of physical claims without seeding Aadhaar may be allowed as after the death of the Member, the Aadhaar details cannot be corrected.

COMPLIANCES FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2024