Govt orders 50% work from home as pollution worsens

As part of emergency pollution-control measures under GRAP III and IV, the Delhi Government on Wednesday mandated a 50 per cent work-from-home (WFH) policy for both Government and private offices from Thursday, failing which action will be taken. With construction activities already banned in the city, the Government announced a Rs 10,000 compensation for affected construction workers.

Addressing a press conference, Delhi Labour Minister Kapil Mishra announced that the Delhi Government has directed private offices in the national Capital to operate with a maximum of 50 per cent staff physically present at workplaces, with the remaining employees required to work from home, in view of GRAP Stage IV restrictions due to severe air pollution.

However, exemptions have been granted in certain areas, including public and private health establishments, transport, sanitation and emergency services.

According to an advisory issued by the Labour Department, the direction follows amendments made by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after hearings and consultations held in November. 

The advisory warned that non-compliance would attract penal action under Sections 15 and 16 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and other applicable laws. It said the decision was taken to curb vehicular movement, which significantly contributes to air pollution, particularly when air quality levels are very poor.

According to the order, all private offices functioning within the National Capital Territory of Delhi must ensure that not more than half of their staff attend the workplace physically, while the rest work from home mandatorily.

Private entities have also been asked to implement staggered working hours wherever feasible, strictly comply with work-from-home norms and minimise vehicular movement related to office commuting, it stated.

Exemptions have been granted to hospitals and other public and private health establishments, fire services, prisons, public transport, electricity, water, sanitation and related municipal services, disaster management services and departments engaged in air pollution control, monitoring and enforcement activities, it added.

Mishra also announced a one-time compensation of Rs 10,000 for construction workers who have lost wages due to restrictions under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The measure will not apply to hospitals, departments involved in pollution control, the fire department and other essential services.

The move aims to provide immediate financial relief to labourers hit by a halt in construction activity amid severe pollution levels across the Capital and the National Capital Region (NCR).

The move aims to provide immediate financial relief to labourers rendered unemployed due to a halt in construction activity amid severe pollution levels across the Capital and the National Capital Region (NCR).

Mishra said GRAP-III remained in place for 16 days, and workers affected during this period will be paid Rs 10,000.

Construction workers have faced repeated disruptions this season as the Capital battles poor air quality. Many daily wagers have already expressed concern over loss of earnings, debt, and lack of awareness about welfare schemes. Unions have urged the Government to expand coverage and offer additional support beyond the current payout.

The persistent vehicular pollution has significantly worsened the AQI, causing serious health concerns among residents.

Citizens have been demanding work-from-home measures to reduce exposure to toxic air. A recent survey by Local Circles found that 82 per cent of Delhi-NCR residents know at least one family member, friend, neighbour, or colleague suffering from serious health problems due to long-term air pollution, and 28 per cent reported that four or more people in their social circle are affected.

In a further step to curb pollution, the Delhi Government has decided to bar all non-BS VI vehicles from entering the city, starting Thursday, December 18, 2024. This decision has faced opposition from lakhs of commuters across the NCR.

Most residents still drive BS-III petrol or BS-IV diesel vehicles, and in cities like Noida and Gurugram alone, over 6 to 10 lakh vehicles could be stopped at the border overnight. Mishra also slammed the Aam Aadmi Party for protesting against the Government.

“Their chief minister used to run away during the season, but our chief minister is there on the road. They are indulging in dirty politics. It is our mistake that there is pollution because the problem of 30 years cannot be eradicated within five months,” he said.