As per the Contract Labour Act, it is the duty of the contractor to provide all the facilities. In case the contractor fails, then only the obligation starts from the side of the Principal Employer. Here, the Principal Employer will provide the facilities at the cost of the Contractor and not at their own expense.
However, it is the duty of the Principal Employer to ensure that adequate and required facilities are provided to the contractor's workmen. These facilities include a canteen, first aid/medical assistance for injured workmen, toilet facilities, wash area, restrooms, and wholesome potable drinking water. The Principal Employer must also ensure that the Contractor is regularly paying the workmen their wages, double overtime payment, bonus, PF, ESI, gratuity, leave wages, notice pay, retrenchment compensation as per their eligibility at the time of retrenching the workmen, and a safe working environment. These responsibilities should be periodically checked by the Principal Employer.
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