Government must supervise adherence to COVID-19 norms in industries, says Madras High Court

The Madras High Court on Monday stated it was crucial on the a part of the State authorities to supervise non-public institutions, resembling car and tyre industries which had been exempted from the lockdown, and guarantee that they comply with all COVID-19 security protocols.

Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy stated the supervision might be undertaken both by the officers from the Directorate of Industrial Safety or another applicable authorities authority.

The courtroom felt such supervision would assist in the workmen not being compelled to work in circumstances which will put their well being in hazard.

The interim order was handed on a writ petition filed by workmen of the Renault-Nissan automobile manufacturing facility at Oragadam and Wipro Infrastructure Engineering at Irungattukottai close to right here in opposition to the exemption granted by the State authorities to car and allied industries from the continuing lockdown to battle COVID-19.

In the petitions filed by way of their counsel, Maithreyi Canthaswamy Sharma, the workmen had contended that car and allied industries needn’t have been categorised as steady course of items and granted exemption from the lockdown. Appearing for them, senior counsel V. Prakash contended that making cars was not a vital exercise.

However, a senior counsel representing Renault Nissan, advised the courtroom that the corporate scrupulously follows all COVID-19 protocols and that it commonly sanitises the plant in addition to the buses used to transport the employees. He stated workers above 45 years of age had been vaccinated and that it was prepared to vaccinate others too if the State Government provides the required doses.

However, Mr. Prakash claimed that the COVID-19 protocol was not being adopted religiously and identified that workers of Hyundai had walked out of the plant on Monday. He additionally claimed that Renault Nissan had decreased three shifts into two shifts and this transfer had led to many individuals working in a shift and thereby put below the chance of contracting COVID-19.

Pointing out that honouring export commitments was proven as a purpose to acquire exemption from the lockdown, the senior counsel stated Renault Nissan must show to the courtroom whether or not the manufacturing had been restricted to exports alone. Finding drive in his submission, the judges directed the administration to submit the main points by May 31.

In the meantime, the State Government was additionally directed to file it is affidavit on the difficulty.