Traders’ body to Delhi’s LG: Reconsider closure of private offices

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), an organisation of traders of the country, has written to Anil Baijal, Lt. Governor of Delhi with a request for reconsideration of the order for closure of private offices.

Drawing the attention, the CAIT has referred to the order issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) which has directed the closure of all private offices in Delhi.

“Though we assure you of compliance of the order, we would like to mention that approximately there are more than 3 lakh offices in Delhi conducting business and other activities and providing employment to lakhs of people. This order will have an adverse impact on the businesses of Delhi and employment of these people,” the letter said.

It added, “We crave leave to suggest that instead of closure, it will be appropriate if 50 per cent capacity of the employees are allowed to wok maintaining mandatory social distance and observing Covid safety protocols. It is further submitted that this order may be ordered to be applicable on ' corporate sector' and not on the offices of traders and other small businesses.”

Highlighting the challenges of working from home, the CAIT said that work from home can be maintained only where the office is completely digital.

“There are large number of traders who are operating their business activities through their offices and are not on digital mode. In such cases, the work from home policy will not work,” it argued.

It added, “It is further submitted that the CAIT last year had urged the Government to draw a work from policy to set certain specified guidelines and parameters under which work from home can be made integral part of the business. We regret to say that so far no action has been taken by the Government on this important suggestion. Therefore, we shall be grateful if a work from home policy is made and enforced after consulting the stakeholders.”