More than 14 years after the last Contract Labour Advisory Board (CLAB), which was constituted in Haryana in 2000, completed its tenure in 2003, the government has finally announced formation of a tripartite CLAB in the State.
Writ petition
A writ petition was filed by the Garment and Allied Workers’ Union in the Punjab and Haryana High Court four years ago seeking directions to the State government to reconstitute the CLAB.
Welcoming the constitution of the CLAB, the union said in a press statement that its tireless efforts and the 14-year struggle by the contract workers in Haryana had finally paid off. A government circular to Labour Department officials this week revealed that the board was set up over a month ago.
A large number of workers are employed through contractors in Haryana. These workers are adversely affected due to absence of the State CLAB.
As per Section 10 of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition Act), 1970, prohibition of employment of contract labour in any establishment, process or operation can only be made with consultation of the board.
In the absence of the CLAB, there are no rules to regulate, for instance, the percentage of contract workers that can be employed in any organisation, the types of work for which contract workers can be hired.
“This gave a free hand to employers and contractors to employ contract workers in violation of the Contract Labour Act. In Haryana, especially in the garment and auto/auto parts industries — which are two of the biggest industries in the State — companies employ up to 80% contractual workmen, most of which is against the law,” said Amarnath Sharma, general-secretary, Garment and Allied Workers’ Union.
The unions and workers’ representatives can now file petitions to the CLAB against employers if they employ illegitimate contract labour or deny legal rights of contract labour.
Anannya Bhattacharjee, president, Garment and Allied Workers’ Union, said: “We will continue in pursuit till Haryana ensures that the CLAB becomes a permanent thing in the State and will seek the High Court for directions for compulsory renewal of tenure of the board.”
