Contract Labour/Probationers terms of appointment

Hello Team,

We are a manufacturing sector and registered under Factories Act.

We have an R&D unit for which we hire 5 to 10 labour on contract basis.
We face many problems like shortage of manpower because our projects are non continuous.(seasonal requirement)
Can someone suggest me ideas to overcome this labour shortage.

Also I got to know that we can hire few persons as probationers or trainees, in this case we are not necessiated to pay PF or ESI.

I need a guidance for this issue.

Thanks & regards
Keerthana Chandrasekar.

You have the option to appoint on 'Fixed Term Appointment' (FTA) basis and the appointment automatically lapses after the period is over. Keep the freshers and on a salary of above Rs. 21000/- pm so that both PF & ESI coverage are automatically over. Keeping contract labour or appointing on probation or training is not going to help from the statutory liability.