Queency Jain
Madras High Court refused to interfere in Government’s lockdown decision and rejected the PIL’s moved by employee unions challenging the exemption granted to the automobile industries.
The court in the exercise of the authority under Article 226 of the constitution rejected the PIL stating the decision to be a state policy.
The bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy asked the government to take necessary steps in case of any disparities found in following of the COVID-19 protocol in the exempted units by stating, “The State should also monitor the working at various places and advise or restrict the functioning to the extent that may be necessary so as not to compromise public health.”
The petitioners contented that there was no justifiable reason for exempting few units from the lockdown.
Further it was contented that contract laborers and trainees are being exploited and no transport facility is being provided to them despite the fact that they are required to travel on daily basis.
The court while expressing hope from the industries to ensure well-being and safety of the employees stated that it was a matter of the employer and employee as to what measures needs to be taken.