The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has notified an exemption for the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970. The notification grants a two-year extension (from 13 January 2024 to 12 January 2026) exempting PGIMER from an earlier notification issued on 12 December 2014.
📘 What Does the Exemption Cover?
The exemption applies to the employment of contract labour for the following essential services at PGIMER:
- Sanitation services – cleaning, sweeping, and dusting
- Security services – watch and ward duties
- Catering services – specifically for admitted patients
📜 Legal Basis:
- Section 31 of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 empowers the Central Government to grant such exemptions.
- The exemption is granted after consultation with the Central Advisory Contract Labour Board.
✅ Conditions Imposed for Worker Welfare
The exemption comes with strict conditions to ensure fair treatment of contract workers:
- Wage and Facilities Parity:
Contract workers must receive equal wages and benefits as the lowest paid regular worker doing similar work at PGIMER.
(As per Rule 25(2)(v)(a) of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Rules, 1971) - Inspection Rights:
The Central Advisory Contract Labour Board has the authority to inspect the establishment to verify compliance with wage and benefit parity and implementation of other prescribed conditions.
📌 Retrospective Effect — Explained
The exemption is made effective retrospectively from 13 January 2024. However, the Ministry has issued a clarification stating:
“No person shall be adversely affected by giving retrospective effect to this notification.”
This safeguards the interests of workers and ensures there are no negative consequences due to the backdated implementation.
🧾 Background: The 2014 Notification
The original S.O. 3161(E) dated 12 December 2014 placed certain restrictions on the use of contract labour in specific services. PGIMER had previously been granted similar exemptions, which now continue until 12 January 2026.
🏁 Conclusion
This move enables PGIMER to continue outsourcing critical non-medical services while holding the institution accountable to ensure fair wages and dignity for contract workers. It reflects the government’s attempt to balance operational flexibility for public institutions with worker protection.