The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020
Section 57. Prohibition of employment of contract labour
In simple words
- Employing contract labour in the core activities of an establishment is prohibited s. 57(1).
- The principal employer may still engage contract labour in a core activity if it is ordinarily done through contractors, if it does not need full-time workers for most of the working day, or for a sudden increase in work that must be finished in a specified time s. 57(1), proviso.
- Whether an activity is core is decided by the appropriate Government, which may refer the question to a designated authority s. 57(2). See the contract labour guide.
An explanation, not the law. The official text below prevails.
Official text
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Part, employment of contract labour in core activities of any establishment is prohibited:
Provided that the principal employer may engage contract labour through a contractor to any core activity, if—
(a) the normal functioning of the establishment is such that the activity is ordinarily done through contractor; or
(b) the activities are such that they do not require full time workers for the major portion of the working hours in a day or for longer periods, as the case may be;
(c) any sudden increase of volume of work in the core activity which needs to be accomplished in a specified time.
(2) (a) The appropriate Government may, by notification, appoint a designated authority to advise that Government on the question whether any activity of an establishment is a core activity or otherwise;
(b) if a question arises as to whether any activity of an establishment is a core activity or otherwise, the aggrieved party may make an application in such form and manner as may be prescribed, to the appropriate Government for decision;
(c) the appropriate Government may refer any such question suo motu or refer the application to the designated authority, which on the basis of relevant material in its possession, or after making such an enquiry as it deems fit, shall report to the appropriate Government, within such period and thereafter the appropriate Government shall decide the question within such period as may be prescribed.