Hi,
I am giving extracts of Contract Labour Act which says you are ulimately liable to pay to the workers.
You will have to recover the amount from Contractor though it is painful job.
Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970.
The establishments covered under the Act are required to be registered as the Principal Employer. Likewise, every contractor to whom the Act applies is required to obtain a licence and not to undertake or execute any work through contract labour except under and in accordance with the licence issued.
The Act has provided for establishment of canteens. For the welfare and health of contract labour, provision is made for restrooms, first aid, wholesome drinking water, latrines and urinals. In case of failure on the part of the contractor to provide such facilities, the Principal Employer is made liable to provide the amenities.
The contractor is required to pay wages and a duty is cast on him to ensure disbursement of wages in the presence of the authorised representative of the Principal Employer. In case of failure on the part of the contractor to pay wages either in part or in full, the Principal Employer is liable to pay the same. In case the contract labour perform same or similar kind of work as regular workmen, they will be entitled to the same wages and service conditions as regular workmen as per the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Central Rules, 1971.
rgds
vishwanath