38.6c New Delhi, India, Friday, August 08, 2025
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Judiciary

Labour law disfavors perpetual daily-wager in permanent nature of work: SC [Read Judgment]

By Jhanak Sharma      06 February, 2025 04:48 PM      0 Comments
Labour law disfavors perpetual daily wager in permanent nature of work SC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has said Indian labour law strongly disfavors perpetual daily-wage or contractual engagements in circumstances where the work is permanent in nature.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna B Varale quashed the orders by Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam, terminating services of gardners in 2005, despite their continuous engagement since 1998 through the horticulture department. The workmen were not served any notice, written orders, or retrenchment compensation.

SC Orders Regularisation: Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam Must Reinstate Gardners

The bench found the discontinuation of the appellant workmen stood in violation of the most basic labour law principles.

Allowing appeal by Shripal and others, the bench also relied upon its judgment in 'Jaggo Vs Union of India' (2024), which said, it is imperative for government departments to lead by example in providing fair and stable employment. The court had then also expressed its concern over a disconcerting reality that temporary employees, particularly in government institutions, often faced multifaceted forms of exploitation.

Equal Pay for Equal Work: Supreme Court Upholds Workers’ Rights

Terming the action by the Nagar Nigam as unfair labour practice, court directed for regularising their services within six months of their engagements and ordered the municipal corporation to pay them 50% back wages.

The court said the principle of “equal pay for equal work,” repeatedly emphasised by this court, cannot be casually disregarded when workers have served for extended periods in roles resembling those of permanent employees.

"Morally and legally, workers who fulfil ongoing municipal requirements year after year cannot be dismissed summarily as dispensable, particularly in the absence of a genuine contractor agreement," the bench said.

The court also felt the bureaucratic limitations cannot trump the legitimate rights of workmen who have served continuously in de facto regular roles for an extended period. While concerns of municipal budget and compliance with recruitment rules merit consideration but it would not absolve the employer of statutory obligations or negate equitable entitlements, it said.

The bench also said, long-standing assignments under the employer’s direct supervision in the case belied any notion that these were mere short-term casual engagements.

Citing Section 6E of the UP Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the bench said any unilateral alteration in service conditions, including termination, is impermissible.

It noted the Nagar Nigam's conduct showed a deliberate attempt to circumvent the lawful claims of the workmen, particularly when their dispute over regularisation and wages remained sub judice.

The bench said its previous judgment in 'Uma Devi Vs State of Karnataka' cannot serve as a shield to justify exploitative engagements persisting for years without the Employer undertaking legitimate recruitment. 
 

[Read Judgment]



Share this article:

About:

Jhanak is a lawyer by profession and legal journalist by passion. She graduated at the top of her cl...Read more

Follow:
FacebookTwitterLinkedinInstagram


Leave a feedback about this
Related Posts
View All

Another CBI Officer Investigating Rakesh Asthana Moves SC Against Transfer, Makes Startling Revelations Another CBI Officer Investigating Rakesh Asthana Moves SC Against Transfer, Makes Startling Revelations

After A.K. Bassi, another CBI officer who was investigating corruption allegations against Special Director Rakesh Asthana moved the Supreme Court.

Ayodhya verdict: SC rules in favour of Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board gets alternate land Ayodhya verdict: SC rules in favour of Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board gets alternate land

SC bench led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi has allotted the dispute site to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, while directing the government to allot an alternate 5 acre land within Ayodhya to Sunni Waqf Board to build a mosque.

Supreme Court: Money Spent On Judiciary Less Than 1% In All States Except Delhi Supreme Court: Money Spent On Judiciary Less Than 1% In All States Except Delhi

The court guided all states to document their response to the commission's report within four weeks. If any of the states fail to file a response, it will be presumed that they have no objections to the recommendations made by the commission, the court said.

Supreme Court Top Panel Names Chief Justices for Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya High Courts Supreme Court Top Panel Names Chief Justices for Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya High Courts

On April 18, 2020, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended new Chief Justices for three High Courts. Justice Dipankar Datta was proposed as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, succeeding Justice B.P. Dharmadhikari. Justice Biswanath Somadder was nominated as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, while Justice Mohammad Rafiq was recommended for transfer as Chief Justice of Orissa High Court.

TRENDING NEWS

in-house-procedure-had-legal-sanctity-sc-dismisses-justice-varmas-plea-against-recommendation-for-removal
Trending Judiciary
'In-house procedure had legal sanctity,' SC dismisses Justice Varma's plea against recommendation for removal

SC upholds in-house probe into Justice Varma, dismisses his plea against removal; says process is legally valid and judge’s conduct lacked credibility.

07 August, 2025 12:05 PM
sole-testimony-of-victim-even-without-medical-evidence-sufficient-to-uphold-rape-conviction-sc
Trending Judiciary
Sole testimony of victim even without medical evidence sufficient to uphold rape conviction: SC [Read Judgment]

SC: Victim’s sole testimony, even without medical evidence, sufficient to uphold rape conviction if found credible and consistent.

07 August, 2025 03:11 PM

TOP STORIES

bengaluru-court-convicts-ex-mp-prajwal-revanna-in-rape-case
Trending Judiciary
Bengaluru court convicts ex MP Prajwal Revanna in rape case

Bengaluru court convicts ex-MP Prajwal Revanna in rape case linked to explicit videos; one of four sexual abuse cases filed against him.

04 August, 2025 11:07 AM
sc-sets-aside-order-declaring-man-as-juvenile-on-basis-of-school-certificate
Trending Judiciary
SC sets aside order declaring man as juvenile on basis of school certificate [Read Judgment]

SC: School certificate from private school not valid proof of age, sets aside order declaring murder accused as juvenile.

04 August, 2025 11:24 AM
hp-may-vanish-in-thin-air-god-forbid-sc-on-ecological-imbalance-in-himachal-pradesh
Trending Judiciary
‘HP may vanish in thin air, God forbid', SC on ecological imbalance in Himachal Pradesh [Read Order]

SC warns HP may vanish due to ecological imbalance; seeks state’s action plan amid rising disasters, deforestation, and climate change threats.

04 August, 2025 11:31 AM
sc-grants-4-weeks-time-to-centre-to-frame-guidelines
Trending Judiciary
SC grants 4 weeks time to Centre to frame guidelines to ensure pedestrians right to use footpath

SC gives Centre 4 weeks to frame guidelines ensuring pedestrians’ right to obstruction-free, accessible footpaths under Article 21.

04 August, 2025 11:41 AM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email