Contract workers are individuals who are hired on a temporary basis by an employer to perform specific tasks under the terms of a contract. Contract labour is one of the most severe types of unorganised labour. Workers can be hired on a temporary basis through contractors under the contract labour system. In this category of work, contractors hire men (contract labour) who work on the premises of the principal employer but are not considered employees of the principle employer.

Here a Principal Employer is someone who owns or controls a business or facility where if its:

• A factory, it is the owner or occupier or manager of the factory;
• A Mine: it is the owner or the manager of that mine;
• The Government: The head of the office or department or an officer notified by the government or local authority.

Contractual Employment in India is governed by the Contractual Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act of 1970. Section 1 of this Act states that it applies to any establishment that employs or has employed more than 20 individuals on a contractual basis, as well as any contractor who employs or has hired twenty or more workers on any day in the previous twelve months.

Advantages Of Contract Labour In India

Numerous factors affect how much work is needed in various businesses. Sometimes it's due to the business cycle, and other times it's because of an unexpected spike in demand for the product. Additionally, firms wishing to effectively manage the transition time or expand their organisation in new areas might benefit from using temporary workers as a solution. There are big projects planned that could need more work, or important team members might not be accessible for a variety of reasons. Contract staffing is the best solution in all of these cases.

Some of the benefits of contract labour can be as follows:

• Cost-effectiveness: Employing contract workers can save firms money since they are not required to cover perks like health insurance, bonuses, and pensions.
• Flexibility: By hiring contract workers for a certain period of time, employers can change their staff in response to demand or project requirements.
• Ability to access a varied pool of talented employees who may be authorities in their professions thanks to contract workforce.
• Simple Termination: If a worker's performance is subpar, employers may quickly and without repercussions terminate the employee's contract.
• Reduced Liability: Because contract employees are engaged through a third party contractor who is responsible for providing proper safety equipment and training, contract labour lessens the legal liability of employers for accidents or injuries suffered by the workers.

Overall, contract labour can provide many benefits to businesses, allowing them to remain competitive and respond to changing market needs.

Disadvantages Of Contract Labour

Lack of job security: Contract workers have no guarantees regarding their employment and frequently have no idea what their future career prospects will be, which can cause stress and worry.

Exploitation: Contract workers are frequently taken advantage of by companies that provide them cheap pay, few or no benefits, no job security, and unsafe working conditions.

Lower job satisfaction and motivation may result from contract workers not receiving the same opportunities and perks as permanent employees.

Lack of legal protection: Because contract workers are not covered by labour laws and regulations, they are at risk of being taken advantage of and mistreated.

Limited career advancement: Because contract workers are frequently recruited for specific tasks or projects, they may not have the same prospects for career advancement as regular employees.

In general, contract labour can result in exploitation, a lack of benefits and job security, as well as a reduction in productivity and career advancement. Employers must make sure that contract workers receive equitable treatment, proper benefits, and development opportunities.

Indian Statutes And Some Judicial Interpretations

The Contract Labour Regulation and Abolition Act, 1970 provides protection for contract workers in India. According to the Act, a contract labourer is someone who is employed by a major employer via a contractor in connection with the work of an enterprise. The provision of all amenities to the workers as specified in the Act is primarily the duty of the contractors. Contract employees must be paid in accordance with the minimum wage statute. The Contract Labour Act has made a number of requirements for the health and wellbeing of contract workers obligatory, including safe drinking water, canteen amenities, first aid facilities, etc. Contract workers must also be provided with social security protections in the form of medical facilities and provident fund benefits.

The government is permitted to eliminate contract labour under Section 10 of the CLRA 1970. However, if contractual employment is eliminated, the employer is not compelled to directly recruit the worker as a permanent employee. The contract workers won't be made permanent employees of the company or facility if the employment agreement is legitimate; but, if the arrangement is a "sham," the contract workers will be made permanent employees. A policy like this suggests that, unlike a direct employee, there is little to no link between the worker's primary company and them without the contractor.

If we see the judicial interpretation in case of State of Karnataka v. Uma Devi, to decide against unclear employment, the court was petitioned. The court had dismissed the claim, concluding that if ambiguous employment was outlawed, those who could at least be employed on a contractual, temporary, or casual basis would lose their chance to acquire employment rather than going without any job at all. Such vague or ephemeral labour would at least provide them some solace.

The court, however, stressed that the equality principle, "equal pay for equal work," has been specifically expressed in the Directive Principle of State Policy. Consequently, the court rejected to award long-term employees permanent status.

Conclusion
There are both advantages and disadvantages to the discussion of contract labour in India. Contract labour has benefits including affordability, adaptability, and access to skilled employees. However, it also has a number of drawbacks, including diminished productivity, exploitation, and a lack of job security.

Appropriate legislation is required to safeguard the rights of contract workers and make sure they receive just compensation, benefits, and working conditions. Employers must take accountability for the fair and respectable treatment of their contract workers.

Overall, there should be a balance between the necessity for good labour and the usage of contract labour in India. Government, business, and labour leaders should work together to develop laws and regulations that support ethical employment practises and safeguard the rights of contract employees.

References:

• Steel Authority of India v National Union Water Front, AIR 2001 SC 3527
• State of Karnataka v. Uma Devi (2006) 4 SCC 1
• https://medium.com/nyaaya/contract-labour-in-india-understanding-the-legal-framework-c75145e31506
• https://www.legalservicesindia.com/article/616/Regulation-of-Contract-Labour.html
• https://blog.ipleaders.in/labour-contract-law-implementation-india/#State_of_Karnataka_v_Uma_Devi_2006_4_SCC_1