Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has directed the Chief Secretary to submit a report on issues related to outsourced employees engaged across various state government departments and agencies.
The directive was issued while hearing a petition filed by noted human rights activist Biswapriya Kanungo and others, which alleged exploitation of outsourced workers engaged through private agencies.
“The complainants allege that there are more than 2 lakh employees engaged in different departments of the state government through outsourcing to private agencies.
But they have not been paid at par as the regular employees, though they perform the same work,” reads the OHRC order.
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The petitioners further alleged that outsourcing employees are denied leave benefits and are paid only minimum wages, despite performing duties similar to regular staff.
They claimed that such workers have been exploited by outsourcing agencies in various ways.
The petitioners also stated that the system promoted by the state itself is not only a violation of the principle of equal pay for equal work, but may also be treated as other forms of forced labour, amounting to a violation of human rights.
“Accordingly, the complainants pray for intervention of this Commission to recommend the state government for framing of a just, fair and equitable service rule for the outsourcing employees serving under different Odisha government bodies and government undertakings and autonomous government institutions of the state with specific relation to salary, leave including maternity benefi ts, EPF, ESI and job security,” stated the commission.
Considering the grievances raised by the complainants, the OHRC has sent a copy of the complaint petition to the Chief Secretary, seeking a detailed report on the matter.
The report is to be submitted before the next hearing of the case, which is scheduled to be held January 19, 2026. Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan recently described the outsourcing system as exploitative, stating that it was adopted by the previous state government.
He further informed that the present government is in the process of phasing out the system.
