Casual Leave to the Contract Workmen - Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Central Rules, 1946

Dear Experts,

There is a provision in the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Central Rules, 1946 that a workman may be granted casual leave of absence with or without pay not exceeding 10 days in the aggregate in a calendar year. Based on the above provision, a contractor establishment to whom the central rules are applicable is asking for a provision of 7 days' casual leave. Does this provision create a mandatory obligation to provide casual leave to the contract workmen with pay? Experts, please opine on what is the intent of this provision.

Certainly, yes. Contract workmen are workmen of the contractor, and the contractor is bound to give leave with wages to his workmen. If the number of casual leave (CL) is 10, it should be 10 days and not 7 days.