The Governor of West Bengal has issued guidelines to ensure the timely and fair Payment of Bonus to employees by 30th September 2024  i.e., before Durga Puja 2024, as per the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 and its 2015 Amendment. These guidelines aim to maintain industrial peace and harmony. The key highlights on actionable are as under –

• The rate of bonus paid this year should not be less than that of the previous year. In case of disputes, employers should aim for amicable settlements through negotiations.
• All workers, including those in casual or re-employed positions, or employed through contractors who have worked for at least 30 days during the year, are eligible for bonus payments.
• Employers who have not paid bonuses for previous years are urged to settle those dues along with the current year’s bonus.
• The government appeals to trade unions and employer organizations to assist in the peaceful settlement of any disputes related to bonuses.
• Specific sectors such as IT, hotels, restaurants, security services, and certain jute mill workers, who have previously missed out on bonuses, should not face the same issue this year.
• Bonus payments should be completed by 30th September 2024, as per the Finance (Audit) Department’s directive dated 07.03.2024.
• For employees in the unorganized sectors not covered under the Payment of Bonus Act, employers are expected to consider paying bonuses before Durga Puja 2024.

This initiative underlines the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable bonus payments and fostering a positive work environment across various sectors in anticipation of Durga Puja 2024.

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Amisha Garg