A conciliation process facilitated by the Office of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) has resulted in a settlement between the management of Ultratech Cement Works Plant at Baga in Himachal Pradesh and its contract workers. The agreement is expected to benefit 284 contract workers through higher wages and improved service conditions over the next five years.

According to the Ministry of Labour & Employment, the settlement was reached on 10 July following conciliation proceedings conducted by the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Chandigarh. The agreement carries an estimated financial implication of around ₹15 crore over five years.

The settlement provides for a wage increase of ₹6,000 per month during the first year for eligible contract workers. It also includes provisions related to promotions, supply of woollen jackets, and timely payment of statutory bonuses. The measures are intended to improve working conditions and strengthen social security benefits available to the workers.

The dispute involved contract workers engaged at the Ultratech Cement Works Plant in Baga. The conciliation process focused on resolving differences between the management and workers' representatives through discussions under the provisions of labour laws.

During the proceedings, labour authorities highlighted the importance of compliance with statutory obligations concerning employee welfare, service conditions and labour law requirements. The discussions also emphasised the need to maintain stable industrial relations through dialogue and timely implementation of worker welfare measures.

The settlement was signed by representatives from both the management and the workers' unions. Those involved included the Assistant Vice President (Human Resources) of Ultratech Cement Works Plant, Baga, along with the General Secretaries of the Lal Jhanda Cement Plant Workers Union, affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), and the Ultratech Cement Kamgar Sangh, affiliated to the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS).

The Ministry of Labour & Employment said the agreement is expected to contribute to improved industrial relations at the cement plant while addressing long-pending service-related concerns raised by contract workers. The settlement follows the intervention of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) machinery, which is responsible for conciliation in industrial disputes under central labour legislation.

The agreement concludes the current dispute through mutual consent, providing a framework for the implementation of revised wages and other welfare provisions for the affected workers over the next five years.