The UT Employees and Workers Federation, Chandigarh, has demanded that more than 20,000 outsourced employees be granted a bonus and a 2% increase in DC rates before Diwali

The UT Employees and Workers Federation, Chandigarh, has demanded that more than 20,000 outsourced employees be granted a bonus and a 2% increase in DC rates before Diwali

Chandigarh 27 October ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : The UT Employees and Workers Federation, Chandigarh, has demanded that the Administration and the Municipal Corporation fulfill their primary employer responsibilities by providing a bonus, before Diwali, to the more than 20,000 outsourced employees working under them. It has further demanded that all outsourced employees who have completed five years of service be immediately paid the revised DC (Deputy Commissioner) rates—as per the rates effective from April 1, 2026—along with any outstanding arrears. In this regard, the Federation has submitted a memorandum to the Chandigarh Administrator, the Chief Secretary, and the Deputy Commissioner, urging them to intervene immediately in the matter and fulfill their primary responsibilities as employers. The administration has also faced sharp criticism for delaying ESI (Employee State Insurance) payments for thousands of employees whose 'DC rate' (wages fixed by the Deputy Commissioner) exceeds ₹21,000. Furthermore, the administration has stopped making salary deductions and has failed to take any decision—for several years now—to increase the wage ceiling; consequently, employees are being deprived of medical facilities. Despite repeated demands, the administration has paid no heed to the issue.

Federation President Gopal Dutt Joshi, Principal Rajendra Katoch, General Secretary Harkesh Chand, Additional General Secretary Amrik Singh, and Vice-Presidents Budhram, Gurmeet Singh, Ranjeet Singh, Harpal Singh, Tarun Kumar, and Hardeep Singh, among others, issued a statement noting that before Diwali, the Railways granted a 78-day productivity-linked bonus to its employees and an ad-hoc bonus of approximately ₹7,000 to central government employees; however, daily wage workers received only ₹1,188, while outsourced workers—who have been serving in these departments for 10 to 20 years—received nothing. What kind of justice is this? Outsourcing is employed to get work done; the very group being subjected to hardship consists of these outsourced workers. Despite working hard for the entire month, their salaries are not paid on time, and when it comes to bonuses—which turn out to be a complete sham—these outsourced individuals are once again the ones left deceived.

Federation office-bearers stated that the Chandigarh Administration must remember that it is the principal employer of the outsourced employees; therefore, it is the Administration's responsibility to look after their interests. This includes ensuring timely payment of salaries, granting leave, and implementing the Bonus Act—matters that fall primarily under the government's purview. If the administration itself cannot provide the bonus, why does it not issue orders for payment to those contractors who embezzled crores of rupees in outsourced recruitment? This is entirely contrary to the Bonus Act and labor laws. What is concerning is that such injustice is being meted out to workers within government departments. Even in small factories, workers are provided an 8.33% bonus under the Bonus Act.

If the government believes that this is not legally feasible, then why are the contractors not removed, and why are the workers not brought directly under the government or a government agency to secure their employment? The UT Employees and Workers Federation, Chandigarh, urges the Administration to take immediate cognizance of this matter and ensure that outsourced employees are paid a bonus before Diwali. Furthermore, they should be granted a two percent increase over the DC (Deputy Commissioner) rates, with the deduction threshold set at a minimum of 50,000, effective immediately.