Punjab Govt Moves to Expedite Transition of Outsourced Workers to Contractual Employment

CHANDIGARH, August 17, 2026: Punjab Finance Minister and Cabinet Sub-Committee Chairman Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday directed departments to expedite the administrative process for transitioning eligible outsourced employees to contractual employment, assuring employee unions that the process would be completed shortly.

Cheema held meetings with representatives of the Punjab Roadways Punbus/PRTC Contract Workers Union, Gram Panchayat Water Supply Pump Operators Association and Social Employees Union to discuss their concerns regarding the implementation of the recently passed Bill providing for the transition of eligible outsourced workers to contractual employment.

During the meetings, Cheema said the departments concerned were undertaking the necessary administrative procedures following the passage of the Bill and that the process would be finalised shortly.

He directed officials to ensure that the processing of contractual engagement is transparent, time-bound and expeditious, so that eligible workers do not face unnecessary delays in receiving the benefits of the new legal framework.

The union representatives raised concerns regarding the timely implementation of provisions related to the transition of outsourced personnel and sought early action from the government.

Cheema said the Punjab Government was committed to taking all necessary steps for effective implementation of the legislation and ensuring that eligible workers receive the benefits provided under it.

The meetings were attended by employee union leaders, including Varinder Singh Momi, Resham Singh Gill, Shamsher Singh, Harkesh Kumar, Rohi Ram, Baljit Singh, Balwinder Singh Rath, Jagjit Singh, Jatinder Singh, Ranjit Singh, Surjit Kaur, Jasdeep Singh and Baljit Singh.