The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulations of Employment and Conditions of Service ) Act, 1979

In Odisha and in some other states, the system of employment of Inter-State migrant labour known as Dadan Labour is in vogue. In Odisha, Dadan Labour is recruited from various parts of the State through contractors or agents called Sardars or Khatadars for work outside the state. At the time of recruitment, Sardars or Khatadars promise that wages calculated in piece-rate basis would be settled every month but usually this promise is never kept. Once the worker comes into the clutches of the contractor, he takes him to a far off place on payment of railway fare only. No working hours are fixed for these workers and they have to work on all the days in a week under extremely bad working conditions. The question of protection and welfare of Dadan Labour was considered by the Twenty-Eighth Session of the Labour Ministers’ Conference held on 26th October, 1976 at New Delhi. It was recommended to set up a Compact Committee to go into the whole question and to suggest measures for eliminating the abuses prevalent in the system. Accordingly, in February, 1977, the Compact Committee was constituted and it recommended Inter Alia that a separate Central legislation may be enacted to regulate the employment of inter-state migrant workmen as it was felt that the provisions of the Contract Labour ( Regulation and Abolition) Act. 1970, even after necessary amendments, would not adequately take care of the variety of mal practices indulged in by the contractors, Sardars and Khatadars. The recommendations of the Compact Committee were examined in consultation with the State Governments and the Ministries in the Govt. of India. Accordingly the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulations of Employment and Conditions of Service ) Bill, 1979 was introduced in the Parliament.

The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulations of Employment and Conditions of Service ) Bill, 1979 was passed by both the houses of Parliament. It got the assent of the Hon’ble President of India on 11th June, 1979 and came on the statute book.......(The Detail of I.S.M.W Act. given in "Acts & Rules")

Information on I.S.M.W. ( March, 2013)