Question : CONTRACT WORKERS

(a) whether a large number of organisations in the Government departments/public/private sectors including mines engage contract labour;

(b) if so, the State-wise and industry-wise number of such contract workers along with the details of provision and laws for employing contract labour in an establishment along with the current rate of daily wages of such labourers doing jobs of permanent nature at public and private industries including mines;

(c) whether these contract labourers are out of the purview of social welfare legislations such as free health facilities etc. and are deprived of minimum wages and social security cover;

(d) if so, the number of complaints received by the Government regarding irregularities and non-compliances of labour laws in this regard along with the details of action taken against such establishments which violate the statutory provisions under all labour laws; and

(e) whether the Government has any proposal to re-visit its policy on contractual employment and amend the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act,1970 to prevent rampant systematic casualisation and contrac- tualisation of the labour force and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE(IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) & (b): Yes, Contract Labour are being engaged by Government Departments, public and private sectors including mines. No such data regarding state wise industry wise are Centrally maintained. However, the number of licenses issued under Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act,1970 in the Central Sphere is enclosed at Annexure-A.

The interests of the contract labour in term of wages and other service conditions are safeguarded under the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970. The social security aspects of contract workers are taken care of under Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1952 and Employees State Insurance Act 1948. Under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 no separate wages are fixed for workers engaged under contractor. The minimum rates of wages applicable in Central Sphere is enclosed at Annexure-B.

(c): No, besides all the benefits under Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act,1970 the welfare and social security facilities which are being provided under Emp- loyees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1952 and Employees State Insurance Act 1948, Payment of Gratuity Act,1972, Payment of Bonus Act,1956 are also extended to the Contract Labour.

(d): The Office of Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) conducts inspections under all applicable labour laws on regular intervals in Central Sphere through various field officers. The details regarding number of inspection, irregularities detected, prosecution launched etc. is enclosed at Annexure-C.

(e): No.