Summer Advisory: Odisha Govt Imposes Restrictions On Working Hours For Labourers

Bhubaneswar: In view of IMD’s forecast of heatwave condition due to rise in normal temperature in eastern India during the summer season this year, the Odisha government has issued an advisory on working hours for labourers working under open sky.

The Labour and ESI department, in a press release on Tuesday, said sunstroke related incidents cannot be ruled out due to heatwave from April this year. In view of this, RDC, Labour Commissioner and district collectors have been instructed to enforce restrictions on working hours to prevent the labourers from suffering sunstroke from April to June 15.

The department has told the officers to ensure that the labourers should not work in the open from 11 am to 3 pm during the period. If necessary, they have been directed to issue notification on working hours and strictly enforce it.

Besides, the department has directed to take preventive steps for the workers. The have been told to make provision of cold drinking water, resting shades, emergency health services and stock of ORS packets at the workplace.

The CDMOs and SDMOs have also been told to ensure adequate facilities for the people suffering from sunstroke in public health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs) and ESI hospitals in their areas.