There are a staggering 10.5 million people who work as casual workers in the government sector, without formal job contracts, according to a study by the Indian Staffing Federation (ISF).
Titled ‘Indian Staffing Industry Research 2014, the study was unveiled at the federation’s third national conclave in New Delhi recently.
Estimates based on data from the latest National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) show that the government sector employs 12.3 million temporary workers (including casual workers). This makes up 43 per cent of the total government workforce. It is only marginally lower than 14.1 million temporary workers in the formal private sector.
It points to a sharp reduction in Group C and D workforce and a push towards outsourcing of work such as maintenance, housekeeping, canteen and security to be the reasons for increasing temporary labour force employed by the government.
“A considerable number of these temporary workers dependent on government for their livelihood are deprived of a decent work environment. A large number do not even receive minimum wages,” the study pointed out.
The study also found an estimated 3 million government jobs have been transferred to the private sector as a result of outsourcing.
“Even if it has a strong economic argument, it has an adverse impact on labour welfare.
A typical tendering process for work contract remains silent on the adherence of labour laws. It does not insist upon PF/ESIC registration or adherence to Minimum Wages Act — leaving open a window for possible abuse,” the study said.
It predicted a further increase in the temporary workforce in government sector and has urged the government to set stringent standards for contracting and hiring. One of the key suggestions is to enforce a written contract between the agency and the tripartite worker specifying the nature of job, salary, benefits, employment terms and other conditions. Implementing a grievance redressal mechanism, providing mediclaim and accident insurance are some of the other recommendations.
SC judgmentThe practice of temporary recruitment was in principle rejected in the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Umadevi vs. State of Karnataka in 2006. It said that casual/ contract/temporary recruitments were against the fundamentals of the Constitution because they violate the roster system and ordered one-time absorption of all such employees.
The government, after much delay, absorbed 23,284 employees about eight months ago. S. Prasanna Kumar of CITU said that the practice has not stopped despite the judgment.
