‘Equal pay for equal work’: Telangana High Court to review wage dispute for outsourced employees

They sought the application of the principle of ‘equal pay for equal work’ and relied upon the judgment of the apex court in the ‘State of Punjab V. Jagjit Singh’ case.

According to the appellant, the outsourced part-time workers were being paid remuneration, which was revised from time to time as per the Government Orders applicable to such cases till 2016.

“The writ court was of the view that since the respondents are rendering part-time services with their work hours ranging four to six hours, in view of the ratio in Jagjit Singh’s case (supra), they are entitled to be paid the wages equivalent to the minimum of the pay scale of last grade service as per the extant pay scales,” the division bench noted.

The counsel for the appellant contended that the writ court failed to consider the distinct nature of the employees’ engagement, as either outsourced or part-time contingent workers, and issued a “general order” without a case-by-case review.

The counsel for the respondents submitted that the respondents have duly enclosed the relevant documents relating to their engagement over the period of time.

“The writ court has, after taking note of the averments and the supporting documents, rightly came to the conclusion that all the respondents are entitled to (the) minimum pay scale of last grade service as per the extant pay scales. The said documents have not been enclosed in the memo of appeal,” the bench observed.

To resolve the conflicting submissions and verify the lower court’s decision, the high court has found it “appropriate to call for the writ court’s records.” The case is now scheduled to be heard on September 17.