Can a Coal Firm Outsource Its Canteen Services Without Legal Issues? Seeking Clarity and Court Rulings

Sir,

Would you please clarify whether a firm primarily engaged in coal extraction, which is required to maintain a canteen to fulfill statutory obligations, can outsource this function to a contractor? Is canteen outsourcing inclusive of all tasks, including cooking and food preparation at a designated location? Would this action lead to the regularization of laborers engaged by the contractor in meal preparation? Are there any relevant Supreme Court verdicts on this matter? If so, could you please provide a citation?

Pradeep Kumar Tripathi

You can outsource the canteen work to a contractor. Since there exists no employee-employer relationship between the contractor's employees working in the canteen and you, the employer, they cannot claim regularization in your company.

Regards,
Madhu.T.K