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Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition)

Act, 1970 A workman is employed as Contract Labour when he is hired in connection with the work of an establishment through a contractor. Contract labour has to be employed for work which is specific and for definite duration

Lack of job security and poor economic conditions are the major characteristics of contract labour The condition of contract labour in India was studied by various Commissions, Committees, and also Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour, before independence and after independence. All these have found their condition to be appalling and exploitative in nature The condition of contract labour in India was studied by various Commissions, Committees, and also Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour, before independence and after independence

In India, contract labourers are protected by the Contract Labour Regulation and Abolition Act, 1970. A contract labourer is defined in the Act1 as one who is hired in connection with the work of an establishment by a principal employer through a contractor

. While a contractor is the supplier of contract labour for the organisation, a principal employer is the person responsible for the control of the establishment.
This act applies to any establishment in which 20 or more workmen are employed on a contract basis on any day of the last one year and also to all contractors who employ or have employed 20 or more workmen on any day of the preceding twelve months.

Every principal employer to whom this act applies should register his
establishment in the prescribed manner for employing contract labour. If the Government at any point of time is dissatisfied with the practices followed, it can revoke the registration of an establishment

Contract workers need to be paid as per the minimum wage act. For the
health and welfare of contract labourers certain provisions have been made mandatory by the Contract Labour Act such as safe drinking water, canteen facilities, first aid facilities etc

It does not apply to establishments where the work performed is of seasonal


nature. An establishment where in work is of seasonal nature will be covered by the Act if the work performed is more than 120 days and 60 days in a year respectively REGISTRATION OF ESTABLISHMENT AND LICENSING OF CONTRACTORS The establishments covered under the Act are required to be registered as principal employers with the appropriate authorities. Every contractor is required to obtain a licence and not to undertake or execute any work through contract labour except under and in accordance with the licence issued in that behalf by the licensing officer

The licence granted is subject to such conditions as to hours of work, fixation of wages and other essential amenities in respect of contract labour as laid down in the rules. WELFARE AND HEALTH OF CONTRACT LABOUR The Act has laid down certain amenities to be provided by the contractor to the Contract labour for establishment of Canteens and rest rooms; and arrangements for sufficient supply of wholesome drinking water, latrines and urinals, washing facilities and first aid facilities and have been made obligatory. In cases of failure on the part of the contractor to provide these facilities, the Principal Employer is liable to provide the same. PAYMENT OF WAGES The contractor is required to pay wages and a duty is cast on him to ensure disbursement of wages in the presence of the authorised representative of the Principal Employer. The establishments covered under the Act are required to be registered as the Principal Employer. Likewise, every contractor to whom the Act applies is required to obtain a license and not to undertake or execute any work through contract labour except under and in accordance with the license issued. . In case the contract labour perform same or similar kind of work as regular workmen, they will be entitled to the same wages and service conditions as regular workmen as per the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central Rules, 1971

A SURVEY DONE IN COFFEE ESTATE

During coffee plucking season around 100 contract labours comes 4 plucking coffee. They will be there till coffee plucking gets over i.e. for around 2 months. Labours will be provided with sufficient place to stay. The salary paid for them will be according to decision made by coffee growers committee.ie for 1kg of coffee its 1.25 rp. If there is any festivals or any government holidays the workers will be given holiday. First aid facilities are providing for them. Every Saturdays compounder comes to estate to give medicines to employees. As per this act in this estate they provide all facilities for contract labours and are implemented properly. The work timings is from 8 to 4, they have two break for hr for tea and lunch.

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