‘Cos, shops must give paid holiday for polls’

Chennai: All industrial and commercial establishments, shops, IT companies, public sector undertakings and unorganized sector units should grant a paid holiday to their employees on April 9 in Puducherry and on April 23 in TN to vote in the assembly elections, said the commissioner of labour.In an order issued on Saturday, the commissioner said the order is applicable to food establishments, plantations, motor transport undertakings, beedi and cigar establishments, factories and the construction sector also. All categories of workers, including daily wage workers, temporary workers and contract workers, must be granted leave to ensure that they are able to cast their vote in their respective constituencies, he said.The commissioner said the decision was taken in line with the Election Commission's instructions issued under Section 135(B) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and warned of action against establishments and employers who do not comply with the rule.To receive complaints regarding this matter, control rooms have been set up by the labour department at the state and district levels.People can register their complaints to the following officials: L Ramesh (7904646090), L Shobana (7299007334), P Palani (7904802429), and S Sivakumar (9043555123).