CPI (ML) MP Introduces Bill in Parliament to Ensure Permanent Status for Workers

180-Day Service to Guarantee Permanent Employment: New Bill in Lok Sabha

New Delhi: CPI(ML) MP Raja Ram Singh has introduced a Private Members' Bill in the Lok Sabha seeking to mandate permanent employment for workers after 180 days of continuous service. The "Conferment of Permanent Status to Workmen Act, 2025" aims to address widespread concerns regarding the exploitation of workers through contractual and temporary employment arrangements.

The Bill stipulates that any worker, regardless of designation, who has completed 180 days of continuous service within a 12-month period in any industry or establishment shall be automatically entitled to permanent employment. This provision encompasses all categories of workers, including badli workers, fixed-term employees, contract workers, trainees, and those employed through contractors.

The Bill includes a stringent penalty of imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of Rs. 1 lakh for employers who fail to comply with its provisions. Furthermore, it prohibits employers from discharging, dismissing, or terminating the employment of a worker eligible for permanent status with the intent to deny them their rightful entitlements.

The Bill emphasizes the need to address the growing trend of using temporary employment contracts to circumvent labor laws and deny workers the benefits and protections they are entitled to. Citing recent Supreme Court judgments and ILO guidelines, the Bill highlights the detrimental impact of such practices on workers' livelihoods and social security.

The Statement of Objects and Reasons accompanying the Bill underscores the exploitation of workers through contractual arrangements, often disguised as temporary employment, in both public and private sectors. The Bill aims to provide a legal framework to ensure fair and dignified working conditions for all workers.

Key Enhancements:

• Clear and Concise Headline: The headline succinctly conveys the core message of the bill.
• Concise and Informative Lead: The lead paragraph summarizes the key provisions of the bill and its significance.
• Focus on Key Issues: The story highlights the key concerns addressed by the bill, such as exploitation through contractual employment and the need for job security.
• Inclusion of Legal and International Context: The story incorporates relevant legal precedents from Supreme Court judgments and references to ILO guidelines to strengthen its argument.
• Emphasis on Worker Rights: The story emphasizes the importance of protecting workers' rights and ensuring fair labor practices.
• Improved Readability: The story uses clear and concise language, making it easier for readers to understand.

This provides a comprehensive and informative overview of the Private Members' Bill introduced by the CPI(ML) MP, highlighting its significance and potential impact on the lives of workers in India.

Key Quotes:

• "This Bill aims to put an end to the pernicious means of exploitation through contractual employment and ensure fair and dignified working conditions for all workers." - Statement of Objects and Reasons
• "The tendency to exploit workers in this form has been recognized even previously. In Sankar Mukherjee and Ors. vs. Union of India... the Supreme Court held that the system of contract labour was 'archaic', 'primitive' and of 'baneful nature' and “nothing but an improved version of bonded-labour." - Statement of Objects and Reasons

Important Statements:

• The CPI(ML) MP's Private Members' Bill seeks to address the growing concern over the exploitation of workers through contractual employment arrangements.
• The Bill mandates permanent employment for workers after 180 days of continuous service, regardless of their employment designation.
• The Bill aims to ensure fair labor practices and protect workers from exploitation by prohibiting the use of temporary contracts to circumvent labor laws.