EFC lists out measures to work during extended curfew

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) this week spelt out measures companies should take to carry out operations in the coming days with the island-wide curfew set to continue at least till April 4, which requires the business community to make necessary arrangements to move forward while complying with the curfew law.

As the government steps up efforts to ensure the public and establishments strictly adhere to the curfew restrictions that is in placed to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, the EFC said that only employers designated as ‘providers of essential services’ as well as those granted ‘special permission’ will be permitted to operate from their establishments.

“Employers who are required to carry out operations (essential service providers and those granted special permission) should do so by deploying the minimum number of personnel required,” the EFC said in a notice to its members.

It stressed that it is a mandatory obligation for employers to take additional precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of employees who are deployed for such operations.
The EFC also encouraged continuous engagement with employees to discuss modalities of operations.

“We expect the continuance of good practices such as consulting with branch unions, in establishments where there are recognized unions, or worker councils, in establishments where such dialogue mechanism are in place, during this period,” the EFC stated.

Further, the federation asserted the need for mobilizing Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) committees, ensuring the minimum social distance recommended (between employees), and making special arrangements to sanitize premises, personnel, transport facilities and others, in the manner prescribed by the heath authorities.

For employers who are able to allow employees to work from home or distant locations, the EFC said such efforts should continue, however, office premises would have to remain closed.
In the event there is a need to deploy skeletal staff for any essential activity arises, such as for mainframe maintenance, the federation said special permission would have to be obtained from the Police prior to such deployment.

Lastly, the EFC stressed that all employers are expected to conduct their affairs responsibly and extend their support and fullest cooperation to the authorities to achieve this National Objective despite the hardships endured and challenges to the continuity of enterprises. (SAA)