Contract Labour- Neglected Section

WHAT is the number of unorganised workers, or contract labourers who are not covered by labour laws, in India? Nobody knows. And what is the number of such workers in Calcutta? Even the state government's Directorate of Labour does not have accurate figures. Anyway, it is unlikely to be less than one-half the city's total work force. The system of contract labour is common even in the public sector. The Contract Labour Abolition Act, 1970 came into force in early 1971. Subsequently, the West Bengal government set up an advisory board to expedite the implementation of the Act, but it is reported that the Board has had only one meeting so far.