During an event in Lucknow on Wednesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath introduced the Uttar Pradesh Corporation for Outsourcing Services (UPCOS), emphasizing the elimination of middlemen from the system. This initiative aims to protect and enhance the welfare of approximately 350,000 outsourced workers and their families across the state.
The launch event saw the Chief Minister, alongside Deputy Chief Ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya, unveiling the UPCOS portal and website, as well as its logo. The creation of the corporation was greenlighted by the state Cabinet in September of the previous year, with a goal to streamline the outsourcing process.
Adityanath noted that the new corporation is expected to positively impact between 1.7 to 2 million individuals, including the relatives of outsourced employees. He stated, “With this new system in place, workers’ rights will no longer hinge on individual favors but will be a product of their diligence. There will be no room for middlemen. All necessary information will be accessible via the UPCOS portal. Employees will not face challenges alone; the corporation will support them.”
The Chief Minister acknowledged the contributions of various personnel, including local body employees and outsourced staff, to the state’s nine-year development journey. He remarked on the previous fragmentation within the system, where workers faced challenges in communicating their issues across different entities without guarantees of timely salaries or social security. He affirmed that all employees are entitled to timely wages, provident funds, and insurance, which the government is now committed to providing.
Previously, disparities in reported salaries existed among workers. Now, the CM assured that salaries would be directly deposited into employees’ bank accounts between the 1st and 5th of each month, with regular contributions to their EPF and ESI. Additionally, the government will bear the outsourcing agency’s service fees, preventing any deductions from employees’ earnings. Any dismissal of outsourced personnel will require prior notification to the government, followed by an investigation to ensure fairness.
During the event, Adityanath distributed checks reflecting increased wages to outsourced workers and provided accident insurance coverage ranging from ₹20 lakh to ₹40 lakh. He explained that a transparent, technology-driven system would connect government departments, outsourcing agencies, and employees, facilitating accurate manpower assessments and human resource planning.
The recruitment process will be conducted online, ensuring transparency and fairness based on qualifications and the state’s reservation policies. Digital tracking of recruitment, attendance, pay, and benefits will be implemented, allowing employees to view their service details and lodge complaints through the portal for timely resolution.
The government will also cover ESI contributions for free medical treatment at designated hospitals and will connect any unavailable treatment services to the Ayushman Bharat scheme, providing health insurance of ₹5 lakh for outsourced workers and their families. All statutory benefits, including maternity leave, will be guaranteed.
In cases of accidents or disasters, insurance coverage for workers’ families will range from ₹20 lakh to ₹40 lakh, depending on the worker’s category. Additional financial support for various emergencies, including education and marriage assistance for children, will be available. In the unfortunate event of an employee’s death, an immediate payment of ₹50,000 will be made to their family, along with the establishment of a zero-balance bank account for four family members, offering special benefits.
Adityanath concluded by stating that the initiative aims to transform outsourced workers into a skilled, secure, and dignified workforce, contrasting with previous administrations that viewed these employees as burdens. He accused past governments of favoring nepotism in recruitment, allowing exploitation of workers.
