Thiruvananthapuram: In the wake of the scorching heat that makes life miserable for people working in the open, Labour Minister V Sivankutty has directed officials to ensure the safety of employees who have to endure the harsh sun during the summer.

The Minister directed that employers comply with the guidelines issued in the Labour Department's circular, which instructs them to ensure the safety of security personnel working at shops, other commercial establishments and open spaces outside the establishment by providing seating arrangements, shelter to protect them from adverse weather conditions, drinking water and other basic facilities.

This directive follows concerns that security personnel working at hotels, restaurants and other establishments located along national highways, state highways and main roads are often forced to work in the open, exposed to the sun for hours while guiding customers to the establishments.

The Labour Department issued the circular to ensure that basic facilities, including seating arrangements, are provided. Employers are also instructed to provide security staff with day/night reflective jackets, hats, umbrellas, drinking water and safety goggles according to safety standards. The minister has directed district labour officers to verify whether employers are adhering to these instructions.

To monitor this, squads focusing on the security sector are to be formed under the leadership of district labour officers to conduct inspections and ensure that employees are receiving the minimum wage, overtime, eligible leave and other employment benefits as per the circular.

The circular also emphasises that employers must ensure that establishments employing security personnel are registered under the wage protection system. The minister further stated that action will be taken against employers if the guidelines are not followed or if any legal violations are identified.