Paving the way for fixed-term employment in the apparel manufacturing sector, the Labour Ministry has notified the amendments in the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders). The decision on the part of the government would facilitate employment of workers in apparel manufacturing on fixed term basis in the backdrop of seasonal nature of sector and would also ensure same working conditions, wages and other benefits for fixed term employee in the sector as a regular employee.

On the termination of fixed term employment, the workman will not be entitled to any notice or pay, the notification reads. However, the move has been criticised by the central trade unions (CTUs) including the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) that termed the same as anti-worker. 

Fixed term worker will also be eligible for all statutory benefits available to a permanent workman proportionately according to the period of service rendered by him even though his period of employment does not extend to the qualifying period of employment required in the statute, the notification added. This is one of the measures approved under the Rs 6,000 crore package for the textile sector announced in June this year.