The state government has approved the transfer of 613 direct contract workers (DCWs) in Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd. (KMML) to the status of casual workers.
The decision was reached after a high-level meeting chaired by Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, which was also attended by Chavara MLA Sujith Vijayan Pillai, senior management of KMML, and representatives of various unions. The reclassification of DCW as a casual worker ensures that these 613 employees are now legally entitled to statutory benefits and allowances in addition to their monthly salary. The transition would be done while maintaining their existing salary structure.
The meeting also took a decisive step regarding the personnel of the Acquired Persons Association (LAPA) who are currently employed in the TSP unit as they will be promoted as Direct Contract Workers (DCW). It was also decided to officially stop the practice of hiring workers through LAPA, a company established to provide employment to families who had given up their land for company expansion. A total of 733 LAPA workers were included in the direct contract system (DCW) in 2019.
Published – 03 Feb 2026 20:29 IST