Major Relief For Temporary Employees; Decision Taken In Cabinet Meeting

The Punjab government has taken a decision that offers significant relief to its employees. During a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, a proposal to abolish the contractual system for Group C and Group D category jobs was approved. The government asserts that this decision will directly benefit thousands of outsourced and temporary employees, and that priority will be given to regular recruitment in these categories in the future.

Following the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the government intends to introduce the ‘Punjab Outsourced Personnel Bill-2026.’ Through this legislation, outsourced employees who have been rendering services for a long period will be brought under the ambit of the government’s administrative framework. The Cabinet has approved an ordinance in this regard, which will now be forwarded to the Governor. Subsequently, it will be introduced in the Legislative Assembly as a Bill.

65,000 Employees To Benefit

The Chief Minister stated that the new provisions will benefit 65,048 outsourced employees currently working across 51 government departments. This includes employees engaged in hazardous tasks, such as firefighting personnel, linemen, grievance redressal staff, and sewer workers. If such employees have completed three years of service, they will be directly brought under the government’s contractual framework.

The government has also made provisions for relief for employees falling under the non-hazardous category. Employees who have completed five years or more of service will receive benefits in the first phase.  Approximately 18,000 employees fall under this category, while the hazardous category comprises around 8,400 employees.

Transition From Outsourcing To Government Contractual Status

The Chief Minister clarified that, under the new system, employees will first be transitioned out of the outsourcing framework and brought under the government’s contractual system. Following this, the process for their regularization will commence. Upon regularization, these employees will be entitled to all the facilities and benefits accorded to other government employees. Furthermore, their salaries will be deposited directly into their bank accounts, thereby eliminating the role of any contractor or intermediary agency.

The Chief Minister further added that the implementation process would begin immediately upon receiving the Governor’s assent. The government also pledged to ensure that no employee is removed from service without prior notice. Ending the long-standing exploitation of employees is a priority for the government.

130,000 Casual Employees Across Various Departments

According to government statistics, approximately 130,000 casual employees are currently working across various departments in Punjab. This figure includes about 70,000 contractual employees and around 60,000 outsourced employees. A large number of such employees are rendering their services in the departments of Education, Health, Local Bodies, Public Works, Water Supply, Social Security, and Women & Child Development.

The Chief Minister stated that, going forward, the government’s focus will be on regular recruitment. Over the past four years, regular government jobs have been provided to approximately 65,000 youths. He added that the contractual system would now be gradually phased out to provide employees with more secure and permanent employment opportunities.

Key Highlights From Chief Minister Mann:

Employees who have completed five years of service will be directly brought under the government’s contractual employment framework.

Employees engaged in hazardous tasks will become eligible for benefits after completing just three years of service.

This government decision will provide immediate relief to 26,400 employees, bringing them directly under government control.

Employees’ salaries will now be deposited directly into their bank accounts.

Employees will be provided with all statutory benefits, including PF (Provident Fund), ESI (Employees’ State Insurance), and Gratuity.

No employee can be removed from service without being provided with a written explanation and an opportunity for a hearing.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann described this as the most significant employment and employee welfare reform initiative undertaken to date for outsourced employees.