Shivraj Singh Chouhan, chief minister, Madhya Pradesh, recently addressed a gathering of contractual workers in the state and announced a series of job-related benefits for them. Around 1.5 lakh contractual workers were demanding job regularisation and benefits equivalent to permanent government employees.
Contractual workers are employees who work on a temporary basis.
The announcement included the removal of the yearly renewal system for contractual government employees. This means that they will no longer need to renew their jobs annually, a move which will provide them with greater job security. Additionally, the contractual workers will also receive benefits such as pension, health insurance, gratuity, and leaves at par with regular government employees.
After the announcement, the chief minister emphasised the importance of recognising temporary employees’ efforts and contribution as their work is no less than that of permanent employees. He further acknowledges that these workers sometimes work even more than permanent employees and this recognition restores their welfare and equal rights.
It’s important to note that the demand for job regularisation and equal benefits has been a cause for protests by contractual workers in Madhya Pradesh for the past three years.
This announcement is significant towards addressing these demands and providing contractual workers with the recognition and benefits they have been striving for.