Supreme Court Ruling: Why Daily Wage Earners Can't Expect Equal Pay with Permanent Workers

The Supreme Court has held that daily wage earners cannot claim parity of wages with permanent workers and the doctrine of "equal pay for equal work" will not apply to such daily wage earners or those employed on contract. The Bench said the principle of "Equal pay for equal work" cannot be applied mechanically in every case.

The Hon. judge, while delivering his judgement, said, "If the educational qualifications are different, then also the doctrine may have no application. A mere nomenclature designating a person as a carpenter or a craftsman is not enough to come to the conclusion that he is doing the same work as another carpenter or craftsman in regular service."

We are employed at LIC of India as Branch Managers on contract, and we have been working on the same salary for the fourth year in a row. We receive 50% less pay than a permanent branch manager. Is there any hope for us?

Thank you.