In respect of employee who do not have any reportee under him, there are a few rights conferred by the labour laws. That is notice to terminate. Notice to lay off. Other than that there is no special rights because even a temporary worker is eligible to leave with pay, PF, ESI, Bonus, maternity leave and also Gratuity subject to certain conditions relating to number of days worked. Some companies extend certain employee benefits which are not coming under the purview of any labour law like leave travel concessions, medical insurance coverage of employee and family (other than ESI), patternity leaves, entertainment allowances, loan or festival advance, etc etc.
In respect of employees who do not come under the definition of workman, there is hardly any difference other than the benefits outside certain laws to which they are eligible to. If a temporary employee can be terminated without notice and without assigning any reason therefor, a permanent employee MAY require a notice to discharge him. Even if you are not given a notice or opportunity to be heard, if the employer asks you to put your papers, you will do that. This is because your defense will not make any difference and if you want to fight you have to approach a civil court and the decision will come only after ten or twenty years! And this may even spoil your career because the employer will never give a positive feedback about you when a background verification is done.