Ministries, depts to pay wages to all contractual, casual, other staffers for this month

The finance ministry has asked all ministries and departments to pay contractual, casual and outsourced staffers for this month, extending a provision to this effect by a month to May 31.

“Any contractual, casual and outsource staff, who are required to stay at home in view of the lockdown order regarding Covid-19 prevention, shall be treated as ‘on duty’ during such period of absence and necessary pay/wages would be paid accordingly,” the ministry said in an order.

The decision was taken to prevent undue hardship to contractual, casual and outsourced staff of the government and related offices on account of the lockdown being extended to May 31.


The previous order dated March 23, which covered all attached or subordinate offices and autonomous or statutory bodies of the government, was effective till April 30.

Although blanket restrictions from the first phase of the lockdown since March 25 have been gradually lifted, public transport has not been restored to full capacity. Given that these staffers rely largely on public transport, it may still be difficult or unfeasible for them to commute.

Additionally, some of the staffers may not be able to work daily given that offices can’t bring back their full workforce on account of social distancing norms and other lockdown restrictions.