Bulk of contract workers at major sea ports not paid bonus

Reflecting the plight of contract workers at ports, a government survey has said that about two- thirds of such labourers at major sea-ports were not paid annual bonus last year.
"The annual bonus was paid to about 34 per cent contract workers in major sea-ports and 43 per cent in major shipyards. About 21 per cent contract workers in non-major sea-ports and 37 per cent in non-major shipyards were paid annual bonus at all-India level," the survey said.
Contract Labour generally refers to "the workers employed by or through an intermediary and not directly by the principal Employer on work of an establishment".

The survey on working condition of contract labour in sea-ports and shipyards during April-June 2014 was conducted by the Labour Bureau, a wing of the Labour Ministry.
It stated that about 31 per cent of contract workers in major and non-major sea-ports were members of the trade unions which were exclusively meant for contract workers.
About 34 per cent of contract workers in major shipyards were members of the trade unions which were exclusively meant for contract workers.

In major sea-ports, 55 per cent contractors have grievances redressal system with a time limit of 12 days while at non-major sea-ports, 59 per cent contractors have grievances redressal mechanism.

The 62 per cent contractors in major shipyards have the grievances redressal mechanism. The system of grievances redressal was not reported in non-major shipyards.
It was observed that the percentage of female contract workers was low at major sea-ports (13 per cent) and major shipyards (2 per cent). The proportion of women workers was found least in non-major sea-ports (0.25 per cent). No female contract worker reported working in non-major shipyards during the survey period.
The proportion of contract workers in total employment of sample at major sea ports at all-India level was found to be 11 per cent, followed by 42 per cent in major shipyards, 80 per cent in non-major Sea-Ports and 84 per cent in non-major shipyards.

The survey revealed that about 74 per cent of contractors in major sea-ports and 81 per cent in shipyards were allowing weekly off to their workers with wages.
In non-major sea-ports and shipyards about 72 per cent and
50 per cent of contractors were allowing weekly off to their workers with wages.
According to survey, about 19 per cent and 22 per cent of contractors in major and non-major Sea-Ports at all India level were allowing earned leave to workers with full wages.
It found that about 88 per cent of contractors in major sea-ports and 81 per cent in non-major sea-ports were allowing national holidays to their workers.

In major and non-major shipyards, about 43.7 per cent and 40 per cent contract workers respectively were allowing earned leave to workers with full wages. About 75 per cent contractors in major shipyards and 100 per cent in non-major shipyards were allowing national holidays to their workers.
Nearly 2 per cent and 35 per cent of contract workers were provided living accommodation by contractors/principal employers in major sea-ports and shipyards respectively.
In non-major shipyards 41 per cent workers were provided living accommodation by contractors/principal employers. All the workers were provided rent free accommodation to workers in non-major Sea-Ports.
It has been observed that, all the major and non-major sea-ports and major shipyards were engaging contractors.

A total of 10,882 contract workers were found to be working in sample units surveyed. Out of these, 2,904 workers were employed in major Sea-Ports, 1,247 workers in major shipyards, 6,240 contract workers in non-major sea-ports and 431 workers were working in non-major shipyards.