In a landmark ruling, the Uttarakhand High Court on Tuesday directed that services rendered by regularized daily wage workers before their regularization should be counted for pension and other entitlements. This decision, presided over by Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal, is expected to benefit thousands of daily wage workers across the state.
The case was brought to the court by Suresh Kandwal, a regularized daily wage worker from the Forest Department, who argued that his services prior to regularization in 2011 under the relevant regulations should be recognized for pension purposes. The petitioner cited precedents set by the Supreme Court and the Uttarakhand High Court, which support the inclusion of such prior services for calculating pension and gratuity benefits.
During the final hearing on June 14, the court considered the arguments and the significant implications for daily wage workers who transition into regularized roles. Acknowledging the need for equitable treatment in employment benefits, the court’s decision underscores a significant shift towards recognizing the full professional tenure of workers, regardless of their initial employment status as daily wagers.
This judgment aligns with previous rulings that have advocated for the fair treatment of workers, ensuring that their early service years are not discounted when calculating retirement and other related benefits. By affirming this principle, the Uttarakhand High Court has set a precedent that may influence similar cases across India, promoting justice and fairness in the treatment of daily wage workers transitioning to regularized employment.
