Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 28 November 2025
A delegation from the Andaman Nicobar Rajya Karmachari Mahasangh (ANRKM), accompanied by representatives of the ALHW Karmachari Sangh, met the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, today to press for the absorption of contractual workers who have been serving under the Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works (ALHW) for over 15–20 years.
According to ANRKM, despite performing perennial and continuous duties within the organisation, a large number of contractual workers remain unregularised, prompting repeated appeals for their absorption.
During the meeting, ANRKM General Secretary Mr. S. Biju Pillai presented legal provisions of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 (CLRA), along with relevant Supreme Court judgments that support the absorption of workers engaged in permanent and ongoing roles. The delegation urged the Minister to intervene and ensure justice for the long-serving workforce.
The Union Minister reportedly gave a patient hearing and sought detailed clarification on the roles and working conditions of the outsourced employees. Following the deliberation, it was agreed that a committee would be constituted to assess the present status of the contractual workforce, examine their nature of duty, and review applicable legal provisions and judicial precedents before taking further action.
The delegation was led by ANRKM President Mr. Jaydeep Kumar Dey and included Mr. S. Biju Pillai, Mr. P. Jagdish (President, ALHW Karmachari Sangh) and Mr. Arogya Das (Secretary, ALHW Karmachari Sangh).
ANRKM expressed gratitude to BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) Mr. B. L. Santosh for his intervention, and also thanked senior officials of the Ministry, including Mr. P. Dinesh (Additional Private Secretary) and Mr. Tuhin Hazarika (Personal Secretary) for their cooperation. The organisation also acknowledged the efforts of BJP National Council Member Mr. Vishal Jolly for facilitating the meeting and pursuing the matter.
