Indian state raises outsourced workers’ pay by 37%

ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA — The Andhra Pradesh government granted a 37% pay rise to more than 27,000 outsourced employees in its electricity department, pushing their monthly wages to Rs 21,000 (US$252).
Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also introduced insurance coverage for these workers.
The Andhra Pradesh Contract and Outsourced Employees Association lauded this decision, especially emphasizing the new insurance offering.
The official order, issued by the electricity department’s special chief secretary, reiterated the state’s dedication to the well-being of its outsourced workforce. Moreover, contract agencies are now mandated to provide group insurance.
Chief Minister Reddy expressed the government’s resolve, noting that this decision “serves as a testament to its dedication to fostering growth, equity, and prosperity within the region.”
This salary hike comes after a January 2022 pay adjustment across various government departments for outsourced staff.
This salary hike followed the Andhra Pradesh government’s launch of the Andhra Pradesh Corporation for Outsourcing Services (APCOS) to promote transparency and stability in the outsourcing sector.
Plans to regularize certain contract staff with over five years of tenure are also underway.