The
Contract
Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act aims at regulating employment
of contract labour so as to place it at par with labour employed directly,
with regard to the working conditions and certain other benefits. Contract
labour refers to the workers engaged by a contractor for the user enterprises.
These workers are generally engaged in agricultural operations, plantation,
construction industry, ports & docks, oil fields, factories, railways,
shipping, airlines, road transport, etc.
The Act applies to every establishment/ contractor in which
twenty or more workmen are employed or were employed on any day of the
preceding twelve months as contract labour. Every establishment and contractor,
to whom the Act applies, have to register themselves or obtain a license
for execution of the contract work.
The interests of contract workers are protected in terms
of wages, hours of work, welfare, health and social security. The amenities
to be provided to contract labour include canteen, rest rooms, first aid
facilities and other basic necessities at the work place like drinking
water etc. The liability to ensure payment of wages and other benefits
is primarily that of the contractor, and in case of default, that of the
principal employer.
The Act is implemented both by the Centre and the
State Governments. The Central Government has jurisdiction over establishments
like railways, banks, mines etc. and the State Governments have jurisdiction
over units located in that state. In the Central sphere, the Central
Industrial Relations Machinery (CIRM) headed by Chief Labour Commissioner
(Central) and his officers have been entrusted with the responsibility
of enforcing the provisions of the Act and the rules made thereunder.
Apart from the regulatory measures provided under the Act for the benefit
of the contract labour, the 'appropriate government' under the Act is
authorised, as the case may be, to prohibit, by notification in the official
gazette, employment of contract labour in any establishment in any process,
operation or other work.
