Contract Labor

Abstract

ABSTRACT:- Contract labor means an employment in which a person is hired by a contractor to perform particular work for a particular period of time. Contract laborer is a person who works for the main employer through a contractor while the business is in operation rather than being employed directly by the principal employer. Contract workers are among the economically less fortunate in society. Contract labor has its origin in small scale industries which couldn't undertake the production process by themselves. Thus, small scale industries started to hire contract laborers. In India contract laborers are mainly indulged in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction etc. Contract laborers face more difficulties in the workplace than regular laborers as they have minimal bargaining power and social Security. Contract laborers are usually engaged in hazardous industries where they are provided with lesser facilities and securities. Though they perform skilled jobs the same as the regular workers, they do not enjoy equal wages. During the pandemic, a large number of contract workers experienced job loss, extreme poverty, and food insecurity. This article focuses on the hardships faced by these laborers and The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition)Act,1970, is the legislation enacted for the regulation and welfare of contract laborers.