Labour ministry exempts Vedanta Coal block in Odisha from certain provisions of Contract Labour Act for three years

Time of India

02-05-2025

The ministry of labour and employment exempted the coal block in Odisha allotted to
Vedanta Limited
from the provisions pertaining to the employment of contract labour employed in its
Jamkhani Coal Mines
, Bileimunda in the Sundargarh district of Odisha for a period of three years.
In a notification dated April 29, the ministry said this exemption has been given by the Centre in exercise of the powers conferred by section 31 of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 after consultation with the Central Advisory Contract Labour Board.
'The central government hereby exempts the coal block allotted to M/s Vedanta Limited namely Jamkhani Coal Mines, Bileimunda, District Sundargarh (Odisha) from the applicability of government notification dated 21st June, 1988 in respect of employment of contract labour in the works specified in the Schedule to the said notification for the period of three years with effect from the date of publication of this notification,' it said.
The government, however, said this exemption will be subject to the condition that the interest of the workmen engaged in the above mentioned works shall be protected and that such workmen be paid wages and other benefits as per the recommendations of the high-powered committee appointed by the Coal India and the rates notified by the
Coal India Limited
from time to time.
'Further, the Central Advisory Contract Labour Board shall have the right to inspect the establishment to ensure and check whether such wages and benefits are given to such workers in establishment while the management of Vedanta shall ensure that whenever there is a change of contract, existing contract workmen who are working may be given preference in employment by the incoming contractor, subject to satisfactory performance of duties,' it said.
'The workmen working in jobs ancillary or incidental to coal mining works shall get wages as determined by Coal India and the contractor, as well as the principal employer, shall ensure payment of the said wages, which increases in every six months, and also other benefits,' it added.
As per the notification, the management will have to ensure that the contract workers shall be covered under the provisions of the Payment of the Gratuity Act, 1972 and shall be paid bonus and leave with wages as per the provisions of the Mines Act, 1952.