UP Government to Establish UPCOS for Protection and Welfare of Outsourced Workers
In a move aimed at safeguarding the rights and improving the working conditions of outsourced employees, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the formation of a new body — the Uttar Pradesh Outsource Service Corporation (UPCOS).
The proposed corporation will streamline labour entitlements, ensure fair remuneration, and bring greater transparency to the system of contractual employment within the state’s administration.
Currently, over 11 lakh contractual workers are employed across 93 departments in Uttar Pradesh.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized the numerous challenges faced by outsourced employees, including salary cuts, delayed payments, non-compliance with EPF/ESI benefits, lack of transparency in recruitment, and instances of workplace harassment.
He underlined the urgent need for systemic reforms to address these issues comprehensively.
“The state government is determined to protect the dignity, security, and social justice of all its personnel,” Adityanath stated.
“Through the creation of UPCOS, we aim to not only bring transparency into the administrative system but also instill stability and confidence among lakhs of outsourced workers.”
As part of the blueprint for UPCOS, the Chief Minister instructed that no outsourced employee should be removed without the approval of the competent authority of the concerned department.
He also mandated that full salaries must be credited directly to workers’ bank accounts by the fifth day of every month and that timely EPF and ESI deposits must be strictly adhered to.
Agencies found violating these norms would face serious consequences, including blacklisting, financial penalties, debarment, and even legal action, with these measures to be clearly outlined in the corporation’s structure, officials said.
During the recent Budget Session, Chief Minister Adityanath had announced that the minimum wage for contractual employees would range between ₹16,000 and ₹20,000 per month.
Further strengthening the proposed framework, the CM directed that all hiring through UPCOS must comply with reservation norms to ensure inclusivity.
Outsourced personnel will also be entitled to a range of benefits such as medical facilities, maternity leave, accident insurance, pensions, and family pensions.
Government sources revealed that UPCOS will operate through a three-party agreement involving the concerned department, the corporation, and the outsourcing agency.
This structure is designed to guarantee transparent recruitment, merit-based hiring, selection of agencies through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, and timely fulfillment of EPF/ESI obligations, all while respecting reservation policies.
The organizational structure of UPCOS will feature a board of directors, an advisory committee, and state and district-level committees to oversee operations and governance.
Officials added that outsourcing agencies will be contracted for three years through the GeM portal, with assurances that the jobs of currently engaged workers will not be affected during the transition.
This initiative is seen as a landmark step in formalizing and securing the employment of lakhs of outsourced workers across Uttar Pradesh, setting new benchmarks for their welfare and protection.
