Covid-19: Govt directs states to transfer cash to construction workers

Last date for annual filing of returns under labour laws for employers deferred till April 30

In a first major step for the unorganised sector to tide over the COVID-19 pandemic during lockdown, the central government on Tuesday directed states to transfer cash into the bank accounts of construction workers from the unutilised welfare funds earmarked for them.

Additionally, to provide relief to employers, the government also extended the last date for filing returns under eight labour laws and 10 central rules for 2019 till April 30.

The central government will not initiate legal action against establishments if they failed to file returns till February-end due to the pandemic, stated the March 20 letter by the chief central