New Delhi: The commerce ministry on Tuesday said that work from home (WFH) is allowed for a maximum period of one year in a special economic zone unit and can be extended to 50 per cent of total employees.
The new rule43A for Work From Home n Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006 has been notified by the Department of Commerce.
According to the ministry, the notification was issued on demand from the industry to make a provision for a countrywide uniform WFH policy across all Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The new rule provides work from home for a certain category of employees of a unit in SEZ.
The notification further said that employees include of IT/ITeS SEZ units; employees who are temporarily incapacitated; employees who are travelling and who are working offsite.
WFH can be extended to a maximum of 50 per cent of total employees, which may include contractual employees of the unit.
While, in regard with the SEZ units whose employees are already working from home, the notification has provided a transition period of 90 days to seek approval.
However, the same may further be extended for a period of one year at a time by the DC on the request of units. In respect of SEZ units whose employees are already working from home, the notification has provided a transition period of 90 days to seek approval.
SEZ Units will provide equipment and secured connectivity for the purpose of WFH to perform authorised operations of the units and the permission to take out the equipment is co-terminus with the permission granted to an employee.
