Chapter V
Welfare and Health of Contract Labour
16. Canteens
(1) The appropriate government may make rules requiring that in every establishment-
(a) to which this Act applies,
(b) wherein work requiring employment of contract labor is likely to continue for such period as may be prescribed, and
(c) wherein contract labor numbering one hundred or more is ordinarily employed by a contractor, one or more canteens shall be provided and maintained by the contractor for the use of such contract labor.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules, may provide for-
(a) the date by which the canteens shall be provided;
(b) the number of canteens that shall be provided, and the standards in respect of construction, accommodation, furniture and other equipment of the canteens; and
(c) the foodstuffs which may be served therein and the charges which may be made therefor.
17. Rest-rooms
(1) In every place where in contract labor is required to halt at night in connection within the work of an establishment-
(a) to which this Act applies, and
(b) in which work requiring employment of contract labor is likely to continue for such period as may be prescribed, there shall be provided and maintained by the contractor for the use of the contract labor such number of rest-rooms or such other suitable alternative accommodation with such time as may be prescribed.
(2) The rest-rooms or the alternative accommodation to be provided under subsection (1) shall be sufficiently lighted and ventilated and shall be maintained in clean and comfortable condition.
18. Other facilities
It shall be the duty of every contractor employing contract labor in connection with the work of an establishment to which this Act applies, to provide and maintain-
(a) a sufficient supply of wholesome drinking-water for the contract labor at convenient places;
(b) a sufficient number of latrines and urinals of the prescribed types so situated as to be convenient and accessible to the contract labor in the establishment; and
(c) washing facilities.
19. First-aid facilities
There shall be provided and maintained by the contractor so as to be readily accessible during all working hours a first-aid box equipped with the prescribed contents at every place where contract labor is employed by him.
20. Liability of principal employer in certain cases
(1) If any amenity required to be provided under section 16, section 17, section 18, or section 19 for the benefit of the contract labor employed in an establishment is not provided by the contractor within the time prescribed therefor, such amenity shall be provided by the principal employer within such time as may be prescribed.
(2) All expenses incurred by the principal employer in providing the amenity may be recovered by the principal employer from the contractor either by deduction from any amount payable to the contractor under any contract or as a debt payable by the contractor.
21. Responsibility for payment of wages
(1) A contractor shall be responsible for payment of wages to each worker employed by him as contract labor and such wages shall be paid before the expiry of such period as may be prescribed.
(2) Every principal employer shall nominate a representative duly authorized by him to be present at the time of disbursement of wages by the contractor and it shall be the duty of such representative to certify the amounts paid as wages in such manner as may be prescribed.
(3) It shall be the duty of the contractor or ensure the disbursement of wages in the presence of the authorized representative of the principal employer.
(4) In case the contractor fails to make payment of wages within the prescribed period or makes short payment, then the principal employer shall be liable to make payment of wages in full or the unpaid balance due, as the case may be, to the contract labor employed by the contractor and recover the amount so paid from the contractor either by deduction from any amount payable to the contractor under any contract or as a debt payable by the contractor.
