Uttar Pradesh launches UPCOS to protect outsourced workers

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched the Uttar Pradesh Outsourced Services Corporation (UPCOS) to regulate and protect the rights of approximately 350,000 to 500,000 outsourced workers in the state. The initiative includes the launch of a dedicated digital portal and website designed to integrate human resource management and eliminate middlemen.

The new system aims to ensure timely salary payments by the 5th of every month and provides institutional safeguards for social security benefits, including EPF, ESI, and medical coverage. The Chief Minister also announced accident insurance coverage of up to 4 million rupees for workers. Under this new framework, wages will be subject to revision every five years to prevent exploitation.

During the launch, Adityanath criticized previous administrations for treating outsourced staff as a burden and allowing companies linked to political figures to exploit them. He emphasized that the government views these workers as assets and intends to provide them with dignity, honor, and legal service benefits, such as maternity leave.