BMS asks govt to bring contract workers in smaller firms under the purview of labour codes

Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh, the RSS-affiliate trade union, has asked the government to bring contract workers in smaller organisations under the purview of the labour codes unlike the current provision which exempts them from labour laws if employed in establishments with less than 50 workers.
“BMS strongly objected to the exclusion of contract labour from the purview of Labour Codes up to 50 workers. Codes should provide for their protection,” it said in a statement issued after holding consultation with the labour ministry on Wednesday.

BMS further demanded that Code should explicitly mention that contractors would comply with provisions of Employees State Insurance Corporation and the Employees Provident Fund strictly.

“Employer’s liability to pay wages, EPF, ESI and other benefits should be ensured even when one contract worker is employed,” it said.

The union, further said, government departments and establishments should not be exempted from the Codes, as they are increasingly engaging contract labour and temporary workers while fixed term employment should not be allowed to take the place of permanent jobs.

BMS urged the government to extend the provisions of standing orders to establishments employing less than 300 workers since standing orders provide protection and avoid friction in the workplace.

Further, it demanded allowances should be part of the wages so that employees get more benefits under EPF, gratuity, bonus, retention allowance, subsistence allowance, retrenchment and other compensations.

The labour ministry has held several rounds of consultations of draft rules of the four labour codes as it aims to notify the rules by end of this month. Once the Rules are notified, it will pave the way for the government to implement Labour Codes across the country.