GIEAIA opposes IRDAI advisory to insurance employees to work on gazetted holidays
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ March 23,2025
Binoy Vishwam, Former Member of Parliament, Leader of CPI, and Chairman, General Insurance Employees All India Association (GIEAIA) has announced to oppose the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) advisory to work on the gazette holidays.
IRDAI had issued an advisory to the insurance companies that “In order to avoid any hardship to the policyholders, the insurers have been advised to keep their branches open as per normal working hours on 29th, 30th and 31st March, 2025. The insurers may take note of the above and give adequate publicity to the special arrangement made as above.”
“We have taken note of the advisory issued by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) (Reference No. IRDAI/PP&GR/CIR/MISC/45/32025 dated 12.03.2025), calling upon insurers to remain open from 29th March (Saturday) to 31st March 2025” said Binoy Vishwam
He further added that “we state that the IRDAI advisory does not carry statutory authority and must not be acted upon by the management of PSGICs in a manner that infringes upon employees’ rights and service conditions/labour rights & other fundamental rights.It does not override statutory rights under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.”
GIEAIA opposes IRDAI advisory to insurance employees to work on gazetted holidays. Vishwam said “moreover, Clause 14 of the Personnel Manual mandates that employees required to work on Saturdays must be granted compensatory leave and appropriate compensation, which was grossly violated in the year 2023-24. Religious and cultural sensitivities must be respected. 31st March 2025 coincides with Eid-ul-Fitr and Varsha Todaku, both significant for employees across different regions. Additionally, Gudi Padwa, a festival celebrated throughout Maharashtra and Goa, falls on 30th March 2025.”
“Forcing employees to report to work on a gazetted holiday is a clear violation of their fundamental rights and is completely unacceptable.We strongly oppose this practice and will escalate the matter to a larger forum at the national level to ensure that employees’ rights are upheld” added Binoy Vishwam, Former Member of Parliament, Leader of CPI, and Chairman, General Insurance Employees All India Association (GIEAIA).
