Omicron sub-variant BA. 5.2.1 cases have been detected in China. Cities across China continue to contain related omicron and sub-variant cluster breakouts through epidemic control and prevention measures (‘Measures’).
Specifically, those positive cases are quarantined for medical observation and close contacts or secondary contracts of the positive cases face temporary lockdown measures.
For employers, understanding salary obligations for employees in quarantine or lockdown can be challenging. Employers must adhere to labour obligations according to the law otherwise may face labour disputes. We provide a Q&A on employer obligations when employees are quarantined or in lockdown.
What is the salary obligation for quarantined employees?
Quarantined employees providing normal work in quarantine or under other emergency measures shall be treated as normal attendance and paid normal remuneration.
According to the Notice on Properly handling the Labor Relations during the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia infected by Novel Coronavirus (the “Notice”) issued by the general office of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the following shall be treated as normal attendance and paid normal remuneration:
- infected or suspected employees
- suspected employees deemed as close contact and cannot provide normal work during quarantine
- suspected employees under medical observation due to the implementation of isolation measures; or
- other emergency measures by the government, .
For employers, the Notice suggests that employers negotiate with the employee to treated the period as annual leave or rest days. If negotiations are not established, the employer can implement the overall arrangements according to the annual leave of the isolated employees according to law.
What if my enterprise faces difficulties in production and operation due to the impact of the epidemic measures?
Under the Notice, the employer may adjust the following:
- salary;
- rotate the post and rest;
- shorten the working hours; and
- so forth through consultation with the employees.
If the enterprise is shutdown within a wage payment cycle, the enterprise shall pay wages according to the labor contract.
If the employee is still unable to provide normal work beyond one wage payment cycle, the enterprise shall pay living expenses. The standard of living expenses shall be implemented in accordance with the Measures of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.
What if the employee’s labour contract expires during quarantine?
If the employee’s labor contract expires during quarantine, the date shall be postponed till the employee finishes the quarantine.
How to determine the arbitration statutory limitation during epidemic measures?
Under, the Labor Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Law of the People’s Republic of China the statutory limitation for application of labour disputes arbitration is limited to one year (‘the period’). The period shall be calculated from the date the parties recognise or should recognise the infringement of rights. However, if the parties are unable to apply for arbitration within the period due to force majeure or other justified reasons such as epidemic measures, the period shall be suspended and the period shall be recalculated from the date the force majeure or other justified reasons finishes.
Equally, If the labor and personnel dispute arbitration institution cannot hear the case within the period, it can be postponed.
Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns related to salary obligations during quarantine, please contact us at talktous@horizons-advisory.com. Horizons can provide insight, expertise and the right solutions for you.