In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India has ruled in favor of granting post-retiral benefits to employees who were selected on a short-term basis but worked for over 30 years. The Court emphasized that it is unfair to deny such benefits to employees who have dedicated a significant portion of their careers to their roles, despite being appointed on a temporary basis.
Background and Decision
The case involved employees who had been hired on short-term contracts but continued to serve for extended periods. These employees had not been provided with post-retirement benefits due to the nature of their appointments. However, the Supreme Court highlighted that these employees had contributed significantly to their respective roles and deserved recognition and benefits akin to their permanently appointed counterparts.
Implications
This ruling underscores the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring fair treatment of all employees, regardless of the terms of their employment. It sets a precedent for other cases where employees on temporary or short-term contracts may seek similar relief. The decision ensures that long-serving employees are not disadvantaged due to the technicalities of their employment terms.