haryana-government-mulls-over-temp-workers-permanency

The Haryana government is taking significant steps toward making temporary employees permanent. This move is part of the government's broader strategy to address critical issues before the upcoming assembly elections in October 2024. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims to secure its third consecutive term in the state, and addressing the status of temporary employees is seen as a crucial part of their electoral strategy.

 

A nine-member committee has been established to examine the feasibility of this transition. This committee comprises eight senior IAS officers who will deliberate on various aspects, including the legal ramifications of past court cases and the criteria for making employees permanent. The committee has already convened its first meeting to discuss these matters in detail.

 

The government is considering different criteria for the transition of temporary employees to permanent status. One of the primary considerations is whether to make employees who have served for five years or those who have served for seven years permanent.

 

If the government opts for the five-year criterion, approximately 1.5 lakh employees could benefit. On the other hand, if the seven-year criterion is chosen, around 80,000 to 90,000 employees would be affected. The final decision on this matter will significantly influence the number of employees who will be made permanent.

 

Temporary employees in Haryana have long been advocating for permanent status. This issue has been a point of contention, leading to multiple protests and agitations by various employee unions.

 

The largest groups of temporary employees are found in the Municipal Corporation, Revenue Department, Education Department, Haryana Urban Development Authority, and Health Department.

 

Safai karamcharis (sanitation workers) and contract-based employees have been particularly vocal, with many spending years on the streets demanding their rights. Additionally, around 12,500 guest teachers have been awaiting permanent status for the past 14 years.

 

The Haryana government has already taken some steps to address this issue. Approximately 1.13 lakh temporary employees employed through the contract system have been accommodated under the Haryana Skill Employment Corporation.

 

However, there remains a significant number of employees who have not yet been included in this scheme. These employees were recruited under Outsourcing Policy-1 and Policy-2, and their future remains uncertain.

 

The state's Chief Secretary has twice requested data on temporary employees from all departments. Initially, data was sought for employees with seven years of service, followed by those with five years of service.

 

This data collection is crucial for determining the scope and impact of the proposed policy changes. However, there is still ambiguity regarding the status of employees whose contracts are renewed annually under the Skill Corporation.

 

As the Haryana government moves forward with this initiative, it is clear that the decision to make temporary employees permanent is not just about addressing a long-standing issue. It is also a strategic move to garner support and goodwill ahead of the elections. The outcome of this initiative will have significant implications for thousands of employees and could play a pivotal role in the upcoming assembly elections.

 

The Haryana government's decision to form a committee to consider making temporary employees permanent is a major development. This move reflects the government's recognition of the challenges faced by temporary employees and its commitment to addressing their concerns.

 

As the committee continues its deliberations, the temporary employees of Haryana await the final decision, which could bring significant changes to their professional lives and the broader landscape of public employment in the state.