In Brief
Daily-wage workers in Uttar Pradesh's Forest Department challenged a High Court judgment denying them minimum pay scales equivalent to regular employees. The Supreme Court held that temporary and daily-wage employees performing identical work are entitled to the minimum pay scales of regular employees on the principle of equal pay for equal work. The Court rejected artificial distinctions based on employment status, emphasizing that paying less wages to similarly situated workers violates human dignity in a welfare state. The appeal was allowed and the State directed to pay minimum pay scales from December 1, 2018.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.