Delhi High Court Directs ESIC To Constitute A Committee To Frame Policy For Welfare Of Contractual Workers In All Its Establishments

In a case concerning illegal termination of services of contractual workmen at Employees' State Insurance Corporation Hospital, the Delhi High Court has directed the ESIC to constitute a committee which will frame a policy for the welfare of contractual workers in all its establishments.

Justice Pratibha Singh ordered:

1. ESIC shall constitute a committee in order to frame a broad policy for all its establishments in respect of contractual workers. Let the details of the said Committee be placed on record by the next date of hearing.

The order was passed after the Bench was apprised that ESIC intends to frame a proper policy in respect of contractual workers and to put in place a mechanism to exercise supervision over contractors who are supplying the manpower for the various ESIC establishments on a pan-India basis.

The policy will include provisions in respect of engagement of contractual workers, their working conditions, preferences, if any, to be given to long serving contractual workers even when new contractors are engaged, safeguards to be employed in the agreements to protect the interest of the contractual workmen, as also the terms and conditions of the contracts to be entered into with contractors.