We are engaging a certain number of contract labour in our company through various contractors (we have registration for our company under CLRA, Act 1970). One of our contractors is engaging a subcontractor for part works. The subcontractor is also engaging more than 20 contract labourers. The main contractor obtained a labour license from the concerned authority under CLRA. Does the subcontractor need to obtain a license from the said authority as well? If so, what is the procedure and what are the documents required? Who is the principal employer for the subcontractor? Who will issue Form-V to the subcontractor?
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

boss2966
1189

The contractor will issue the Form V in which the Principle Employer will countersign.
From India, Kumbakonam
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

Dear Bhaskar (Boss) ji,

With due respect to you, Sir, I would like you to review your reply in terms of the following:

CLRA Act does not define the term Sub-Contractor.
CLRA Act defines the term Principal Employer.
CLRA Act defines the term Contractor, which includes Sub-Contractor(s).
The title of Form V is Form of Certificate by Principal Employer.
If the Contractor covers the strength of employees by his Sub-Contractor(s) in the license obtained by him (Contractor), are the Sub-Contractor(s) required to obtain a separate license?

Your answer will be a guiding factor to HR Fraternity.

From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

Hi,

Just want to add one point: if the subcontractor's name is included in the Registration Certificate of the Principal Employer, then the PE needs to issue Form V to the subcontractor for obtaining a Labour Licence.

Regards,
Santosh

From India, Surat
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

boss2966
1189

If the contractor secured the contract want to do only supervision and hand over the entire job to the sub-contractor, then obviously the sub-contractor must obtain the CL License.
From India, Kumbakonam
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

Under the Contract Labour (R&A) Act 1970, there is no word like "sub-contractor." However, as a principal employer, we must verify whether the contractor has obtained prior permission for such deployment or if their contract agreement permits the deployment of a sub-contractor. According to the Act, the sub-contractor has the same standing as a contractor. In that scenario, the principal employer will issue V on the request of the contractor. The principal employer will also assume all liabilities of the contract labor engaged by the sub-contractor. For any compliance under the Act, the contractor will come into the picture as they have engaged the sub-contractor.

Sitansu Rath
Bhubaneswar, Odisha

From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

Dear Sitansu ji, Please read the definition of Contractor as defined in Sec 2(c) once. This definition has a word - sub contractor.
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

Only Principal employer will issue the Form V. — — — — — — — — — — — - Pon
From India, Lucknow
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

Hi partners,

According to me, since contractors include subcontractors as well, the following options are available:

1. The Principal Employer can issue Form-V to the main contractor, and the main contractor should include the name and number of employees employed by the subcontractor while applying for a labor license. The only requirement is that there should be a valid subcontract agreement between the contractor and the subcontractor.

2. The Principal Employer can issue Form-V to the subcontractor provided the name of the subcontractor is included in the Principal Employer's certificate. Since, as per the definition, contractors also include subcontractors, in the eyes of the Principal Employer, contractors and subcontractors are considered one and the same.

Since the Principal Employer is responsible for any wrongdoing by both the contractor and the subcontractor, the end result will be the same whether he gives Form V to the subcontractor or main contractor, or if the main contractor gives Form-V to the subcontractor, as far as the Principal Employer is concerned.

From India, Kochi
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

Any responsible, designated, or authorized employee can be delegated for this purpose on behalf of the principal employer. While issuing Form V, he/she (authorized employee) should verify the issued work order in detail (i.e., specific job, validity period of the contract, strength of the maximum manpower to be deployed, and deployment of any subcontractor with its provision/permission under the issued work order, etc.).

Under the Contract Labour Act - 1970, there is no mention of a subcontractor. If a subcontractor is allowed under any circumstances, the footing of the subcontractor will be the same as that of the contractor, and the manpower deployed by the subcontractor will fall under the definition of contract labor.

Sitansu Rath
OPGC Ltd.
Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Cell No: 919338715427

From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

Thank u very much for early response friends . I have a doubt I.e under Bocw act as principle employer can allow to labours in night shift what is the procedures bto allow them
From India, Thoothukudi
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

Hi, Can you help with information how principle employer can generate form V? Thanks Roy
From India, Gurgaon
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

Dear Member,

In the state of Haryana, after obtaining the Registration Certificate from the Registering Officer of the area, the Principal Employer is required to click on the RC against the details of the concerned contractor.

R N KHOLA

From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

Join Our Community and get connected with the right people who can help. Our AI-powered platform provides real-time fact-checking, peer-reviewed insights, and a vast historical knowledge base to support your search.







Contact Us Privacy Policy Disclaimer Terms Of Service

All rights reserved @ 2025 CiteHR ®

All Copyright And Trademarks in Posts Held By Respective Owners.