Early Times Report
CHANDIGARH, May 30: The Punjab Cabinet led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday delivered one of the most far-reaching pro-employee decisions in Punjab's history, approving a roadmap to dismantle the decades-old contractual employment system and pave the way for the regularisation of more than 65,000 workers across government departments. By ending the role of private contractors in government employment and creating a direct employer-employee relationship between the state and workers, the Bhagwant Mann Government has moved to provide job security, dignity and a clear pathway to permanent service for thousands of employees who have spent years serving Punjab without regular status.
The Cabinet also approved two new ordinances to implement the transition, reconstituted a ministerial panel to address pending Dearness Allowance (DA) and pension-related dues, and cleared the establishment of seven exclusive special courts for the speedy trial of corruption cases.
Sharing details of the decision, the Chief Minister's Office stated that it has approved the repeal of the Punjab Adhoc, Contractual, Daily Wage, Temporary, Work Charged and Outsourced Employees' Welfare Act, 2016, and cleared the Punjab State Outsourced Personnel (Transition to Contractual Engagement) Bill, 2026 and the Punjab Contractual Personnel (Absorption Against Sanctioned Vacancies) Bill, 2026. The move paves the way for bringing outsourced employees directly under the government and creating a clear pathway towards regular employment.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, "More than 65,000 contract workers of Punjab have given the best years of their lives in the service of the state. With this decision, Punjab has returned to them what is rightfully theirs. No contractor will now stand between these employees and the state."
Explaining the reform, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "These employees will now have direct employment, full dignity and a clear pathway to permanence. Workers presently engaged through private contractors in Punjab Government departments and entities will be taken directly into the state's own employment, eliminating the middleman contractor system." |
