SC issues notices on contract workers' demands

New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) The Supreme Court today decided to examine the issue whether contract workers who have been working continously for over 10 years at various airports are entitled for preference to junior workers.

A vacation bench comprising Justices C K Thakker and Lokeshwar Singh Panta issued notices to the Union government, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Delhi International Airport Limited, Central Advisory Contract Labour Board and M/S TDI International India.

The apex court, however, refused to stay the operation of impugned Delhi High Court judgement dated May 20 dismissing the petition of Indira Gandhi Airport GDI Karamchari Union filed on behalf of 136 contract workers doing the job of trolley retrieving.

Earlier, the counsel for the petitioner contended before the court that if the High Court order was not stayed, the petition shall itself become infructous as the authorities are already in the process of recruiting fresh workers ignoring their claim.

The apex court directed the respondents to file their response within 5 weeks and the petitioner to file their rejoinder within 5 weeks thereafter.

The High Court had dismissed the petition on the grounds that since the Contract Workers Act has already been abolished by the government the petition has become infructous.

UNI SC SY RP DS1600