(a) whether the social welfare schemes being legislated by the Government equally
apply to contract labourers as in the case of regular workers in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has received complaints during each of the last three years and the current year for non-compliance of social welfare legislations; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH)
(a) & (b) The Social Welfare Schemes of the Government are also applicable to the Contract Labourers if they fulfill the conditions of the Scheme to be eligible for the benefits of a particular Scheme. However, the interests of Contract Workers are protected specifically under Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970. The social security aspects of contract workers (under Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1952 and Employees State Insurance Act, 1948) are enforced by the Employees Provident Fund Organization and Employees State Insurance Corporation respectively provided the establishments in which contract workers engaged, are covered under the said Acts.
(c) & (d) The details of inspection conducted, irregularities found and action taken thereon under Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970, Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, Minimum Wages Act, 1948, Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment & Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, Employees State Insurance Act,
1948 and Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1952 is at Annexure – A.