The Contract Labour Act will be amended to ensure job security to the workforce and to check their exploitation, Union Minister for Labour and Employment M Mallikarjun Kharge said here today.
The practice of outsourcing labour has severely affected the workforce, Kharge said. “With employers resorting to outsourcing methods to a larger extent, the practice has dealt a severe blow to employees as they get lower wages,” he told reporters here.
The minister said government has appointed a Task Force to suggest amendments to the Contract Labour Act. Noting that the Union Cabinet recently approved 17 amendments to the Mines Act 1952, he said an amendment bill would be introduced in the budget session to make mine owners and officials accountable for safety norms.
Under the existing law, only managers and agents of mines owners are held responsible for disasters, Kharge said. Meagre penalties in the current Act have been enhanced to regulate safety, health and welfare aspects of about 5.5 million workers employed in the mining industry, Kharge said.