In a reply to a question in the Parliament raised by Com. Prasanta Chatterjee, M.P., Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge has stated that according to the study conducted by V.V.Giri National Labour Institute, there are 14 lakh contract workers in the Central sphere and 46 lakhs in state sphere. There may be five times more contract labour in the country who are not even covered by the  Contract labour act.

The Minister also stated that there are about 39066 contractors based on 2010 – 2011 figures.

Though it is completely banned to engage contract labour in perennial jobs, it is exactly what BSNL is also doing.  Though the full figure is not available. it is estimated that about one lakh contract workers are engaged in BSNL.

Justice should be given to these workers.