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Punjab News: The Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has taken a significant decision in the interest of the state’s outsourced employees. The Cabinet approved the Punjab State Outsourced Transition to Contractual Engagement Bill, 2026. The bill aims to bring long-serving, qualified outsourced employees directly into contractual arrangements and make their service more secure and systematic. This decision is considered a major step towards employee welfare and administrative reforms by the state government.

Which employees will get the benefit

The new bill provides for direct contract employment for outsourced employees who have completed five years of continuous service. However, for employees in the risk categories listed in the bill, this period has been fixed at three years. The government believes this will provide greater stability and security to long-serving employees.

There will be clear provision for salary and service conditions

According to the Cabinet decision, the Finance Department will determine the remuneration of contract employees. This wage will not be less than the minimum wage prescribed under the Code on Wages 2019 or any other applicable minimum wage law. This will provide legal protection to employees’ wage rights and ensure they are paid according to established standards.

The old law will be abolished

With the enactment of this new bill, the Punjab Adhoc, Contractual, Daily Wage, Temporary, Work-Charged and Outsourced Employees Welfare Act, 2016, will be repealed. The government says the new system will provide employees with a more clear and transparent service structure, simplifying administrative processes.

An important step towards employee welfare

The Punjab government says this decision is aimed at providing relief to employees who have been providing services under outsourcing arrangements in various government departments for years. Once the new system is implemented, qualified employees will be directly integrated into the government contract system, reducing dependence on contractor-based systems and providing employees with a more stable work environment.

Administrative reforms will also get strengthened

The government believes that this bill will not only boost employee morale but also enhance the efficiency of government departments. A transparent service system, clear pay structure, and better opportunities for qualified employees are expected to improve administrative efficiency. This decision is considered an important initiative by the Punjab government towards strengthening good governance and employee interests.