Forum demands abolition of contract labour system

The Government and Public Sector Undertakings Non-Permanent Workers Joint Forum has demanded the abolition of contract labour system and repeal of Labour Codes.

In a convention organised by the forum here on Sunday, the All India Central Council of Trade Unions vice-president Clifton D’ Rozario said that lakhs of workers, who were, in fact, permanent workers, were being falsely termed as contract workers and subjected to severe exploitation.

“Despite performing core and perennial tasks, they suffer from job insecurity, poor wages, and a lack of social security. The new Labour Codes only make matters worse by institutionalising the exploitation,” he said.

He pointed out that in many union government offices and hospitals, while Group A and B positions remain permanent, almost all Group C and D roles were outsourced. “Contract workers do the same work as permanent staff members do, but are paid less and denied benefits.”

“This contract system is not just unjust, but a sham. The only way to fight against this is to come together, organise, unionise, and demand our rights,” Mr. Rozario said.

Maniyamma, secretary of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Pourakarmikara Sangha spoke about the successful struggle of pourakarmikas against contractualisation. “Only through protesting, organising, and unionising were we able to remove the contract system,” the secretary said.