Victory for Workers Punjab High Court Orders Regularization of Outsourced Watchmen:

In a major legal victory for contract workers in the state, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the Punjab government to regularize the services of outsourced watchmen (chowkidars).

The ruling, as detailed in the News18 Punjab report, sets a significant precedent for thousands of employees working under outsourcing policies.

Key Highlights of the High Court Order

Regularization of Service: The court ruled that watchmen who have been working on an outsourced basis for a continuous and long duration should be made permanent employees.

Past Service Benefits: In a crucial addition, the court ordered that these employees be granted benefits for their past years of service. This includes counting their previous tenure for seniority and other service-related perks.

Equal Pay for Equal Work: The judgment reinforces the principle that employees performing the same duties as permanent staff cannot be kept on meager contract wages indefinitely.

The Background

The case was filed by several outsourced watchmen who argued that they had been serving various government departments for years without any job security or standard benefits. They claimed that the "outsourcing" model was being used as a tool to avoid providing the legal rights associated with permanent employment.

Impact of the Ruling

Job Security: Thousands of watchmen across government schools, hospitals, and offices in Punjab will now gain permanent status.

Financial Gains: With the inclusion of past service benefits, many will see a significant increase in their salary grades and retirement benefits.

Pressure on the State Govt: The ruling puts the Punjab government under pressure to reconsider its outsourcing policies for other categories of workers, such as sweepers and clerical staff.