ROURKELA SHRAMIK SANGH vs STEEL AUTHORITY OF INDIA LTD.

The Supreme Court interpreted its earlier order in R.K. Panda & Others vs. Steel Authority of India [(1994) 5 SCC 304], affirming the High Court's decision to uphold the dismissal of a writ petition by workers of Rourkela Steel Plant seeking regularization and equal pay with regular employees. The Court clarified that workers engaged through contractors for over ten years are entitled to absorption as regular employees, subject to medical fitness and age criteria, while disputes regarding identification of eligible workers are to be resolved by the Chief Labour Commissioner. The Court emphasized that its directions do not preclude lawful retrenchment of absorbed workers.