BINU S. Vs. BHARATH SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners are contract labourers. The 4 th respondent is the contractor, who has been entrusted with maintenance works in the various offices of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL). It is contended that the petitioners have been engaged for carrying out maintenance of telephone, data entry, cable and line maintenance etc. The salary due to the petitioners are paid to the 4th respondent by the petitioners 1 to 3. The grievance of the petitioners is that the wages due to them from the month of June, 2019, have not been paid by the respondent Nos.1 to 3, who are the principal employer, to the 4th respondent. It is in the afore circumstances that they have approached this Court with this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following relief:

(2.) Heard Sri.A.Jani, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and Sri.Mathews K.Philip, the learned Standing Counsel appearing for respondent Nos.1 to 3.

(3.) The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submits that the denial of wages by the respondents 1 to 3 for the work done by the petitioners, who are contract workers cannot be justified on any grounds and will fall foul of the constitutional principles. The learned counsel highlighted the sad plight of the petitioners and sought for issuance of appropriate directions.