New Delhi: Despite the demand from the trade unions, the government today said there is no proposal to regularize contract workers.

"There is no provision of regularization under the Contract Labour (Regulations and Abolitions) Act 1970 and therefore, there is no proposal to regularize the contract workers," Minister of State for Labour and Employment K Suresh told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

He said there are an estimated 18.44 lakh contract workers across the country in central spheres engaged by licensed contractors.

The reply came in the wake of persistent demand from the trade unions to regularize the service of the vast contract workforce in the country as they are not meted equal treatment like the regular workers despite provisions in the Act.

To a reply whether they are getting equal wages, same working hours and working conditions, the Minister said the liability to ensure of wages and other benefits is primarily that of the contractor and in case of default, that of the principal employer.

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