WB Govt enhances benefits, job security of contractual workers

West Bengal government today decided to improve the terms and conditions of engagement of casual, contractual and daily rated workers with an additional annual expense of Rs 500 crore.
"The decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting out of social obligation and compulsion. This will enhance their benefits in terms of tenure and remuneration, besides retirement benefits," Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said.
A large number of contractual, casual and daily rated workers are employed at various offices of the state government for a long period, in some cases for more than 15 to 20 years.
The government had earlier enhanced their financial benefits in September 2011 to improve job security, she said.

Announcing hike in their remuneration, the Chief Minister said as per the new benefits, these workers cannot be terminated from their job before 60 years of age and would get an increment of three per cent every year, instead of 5 per cent every three years.
They would also have family medical insurance coverage and leave benefits, Banerjee said.
A high-power committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee has been formed to suggest further improvement in the terms and conditions, she said, adding the committee will submit it's report by August 30, this year.