Times
of India: Gurgaon: Sunday, 27 September 2015.
Some
contractual workers of Maruti Suzuki complained of exploitation on the pretext
of temporary employment. "We are hired only for 210 days (seven months) in
a year. Very few among us are hired for a second consecutive term (even after
the two-month break), which spoils our career prospects," said one of the
workers at the site, requesting anonymity.
Amit Akash,
an activist with Workers Solidarity Centre, Gurgaon, said, "These workers
are employed for six to seven months (less than 240 days) because according to
the law, anyone who has worked more than 240 days can claim the benefits under
the Industrial Disputes Act."
According to
an RTI reply, the number of contractual labourers has increased by 21% in
Gurgaon over the past three years. "These workers do more work than the
permanent labourers, including core activities, which is in contravention of
the law," Akash said.
"According
to the Contract Labour Regulation and Abolition Act, 1970, contractual workers
should not be involved in the core activities of production," said Gunjan
Singh, a Gurgaon-based advocate working in the area.
Singh said
the abolition of contractual labour could be done only after consulting the
advisory contract labour board, which does not exist in Haryana since 2003.
Industrialists,
meanwhile, said the increase in the number of contractual labourers was linked
to seasonal demand, lower costs and inflexible lay-off policies for permanent
employees.
"Permanent
workers do not work, they are mostly backed by outsiders and union
leaders," said V B Bajaj, president, Gurgaon Industrial Association.
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