Central Government To Amend SEZ Rules To Permit Hybrid Work Model

The Central Government has issued a notification dated November 7^th,2023 for amending Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006 by substituting rule 43-A. These amendments shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. Some of the key amendments are as follows:

• A Unit may permit employees who are of IT & ITES sectors, temporarily incapacitated, travelling and working offsite to work from any place outside the Special Economic Zone basis its requirements. Such permission shall be applicable up to December 31^st,2024;
• Hybrid work facility may cover all the employees of the Unit. Moreover, the Development Commission must be intimated by the Unit through e-mail on or before the date of permitting hybrid work facility;
• The list of employees who have been permitted hybrid work shall be maintained by the Unit and submitted for verification whenever required by the Development Commissioner;
• The Unit may provide duty free goods such as laptops etc., for hybrid work to the employees and the same shall be allowed to be taken out of the Special Economic Zone on a temporary basis; and
• The Unit shall appropriately account for the export revenue with respect to products and services resulting from the work for which hybrid work is permitted.