Section 50 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Section 50 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (the OSH Code) requires a contractor who receives a work order to intimate it to the designated authority, within the time and in the manner prescribed. If the contractor does not, the authority can suspend or cancel the licence after a show cause opportunity.
When a contractor receives a work order from an establishment, either to supply contract labour or to execute the contract through contract labour, the contractor must intimate the authority under section 119 within the prescribed time and manner (50(1)). If the contractor fails to intimate, the designated authority may, after giving the licence holder an opportunity of showing cause, suspend or cancel the licence in the prescribed manner (50(2)). Under the Central Rules the intimation is due within fifteen days through the Shram Suvidha Portal.
Section 50 at a glance
| Sub-section | Content |
|---|---|
| 50(1) | On receiving a work order from an establishment to supply contract labour or to execute the contract through contract labour, the contractor must intimate the authority referred to in section 119, within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed |
| 50(2) | If the contractor fails to intimate, the designated authority may, after giving the holder of the licence an opportunity of showing cause, suspend or cancel the licence, in the manner prescribed by the appropriate Government |
Which work orders
The trigger is a work order from an establishment for either of two things: supplying contract labour to the establishment, or executing a contract through contract labour in the establishment. A work order to do something with no contract labour does not fall within the text.
Who gets the intimation
The authority referred to in section 119, that is, the designated authority that issues licences. The common-licence section is explained in our article on section 119. The designated authority is appointed under section 46.
The consequence of default
Section 50(2) uses "may", so suspension or cancellation is discretionary, and it follows a show cause step. That link with the licence is important for contractors: a work order intimation is a condition of staying licensed, not an administrative nicety. Contractors and principal employers who want to set up a simple work-order tracking routine can use our labour law compliance service.
What the Central Rules, 2026 prescribe
Where the Central Government is the appropriate Government, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 345(E), 8 May 2026) fix the time and manner. Where a State is the appropriate Government, use the State's rules.
Rule 94: intimation of work order and time limit.
- Every contractor must, within fifteen days of receiving a contract work order, intimate the work order through the Shram Suvidha Portal.
- The intimation contains: the name of the principal employer, the address of the premises where work is being undertaken, the date of commencement of the contract work, the number of contract labour employed under that work order, and the duration of the work order.
- The details may be sent by the contractor or their authorised representative.
- The intimation is sent electronically on the Shram Suvidha Portal.
Rule 86(3) repeats the condition of licence: the contractor intimates within fifteen days of receipt of a work order, in the manner in Rule 94. Rule 93(5) adds that the contractor notifies any change in the number of contract labour or conditions of work on the Shram Suvidha Portal.
Rule 95 on show cause, suspension and revocation gives the process that follows a failure: a fifteen-day show cause notice sent electronically, reply within fifteen days, and, if the authority thinks continuing the business will lead to grave harm to contract labour, a speaking order on revocation or suspension. See Rules 95 and 96. For the intimation itself, see Rules 93 and 94.
Practical points
- Start the clock at receipt. Fifteen days run from receiving the work order, not from the start of work.
- One intimation per work order. Each work order needs its own intimation with the five details in Rule 94(1).
- Keep proof. Save the portal acknowledgment with the work order copy.
- Update changes. If the number of contract labour or conditions change, notify the portal under Rule 93(5).
- Align with the licence headcount. The number in the work order intimation must fit within the licence maximum; see section 47.
- Principal employers. Ask contractors for the intimation acknowledgment before work starts; the principal employer's duties are in section 53.
- Authorised representative. If staff other than the contractor will file, record the authority in writing, as Rule 94(2) allows an authorised representative.
Example. A housekeeping contractor receives a work order from a company on the 4th of the month for 60 workers for twelve months. By the 19th it files the intimation on the Shram Suvidha Portal with the principal employer's name, site address, start date, number of workers and duration, and saves the acknowledgment. Had it not filed, the authority could have given a show cause notice and then suspended or cancelled the licence.
For the old-law position, see our guides on half-yearly return under the Contract Labour Act and on the Shram Suvidha Portal for contract labour.
Need help with work order intimations?
Missed intimations are avoidable with a tracker tied to each contract. Our labour law compliance team can set up the intimation routine, check the details against your licence and help respond if you have received a show cause notice.
Key takeaways
- A contractor must intimate each work order to the designated authority (50(1)).
- Failure can lead to suspension or cancellation of the licence after show cause (50(2)).
- Central Rules: within fifteen days of receipt, on the Shram Suvidha Portal, with five listed details (Rule 94).
- Changes in headcount or conditions are notified on the portal (Rule 93(5)).
Read next
- Sections 48 and 49: licence procedure and no fees from contract labour
- Sections 51 and 52: revocation of licence and appeal
- Rules 93 and 94: responsibility of contractor and intimation of work order
- Shram Suvidha Portal for contract labour
Disclaimer: Based on the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 345(E), 8 May 2026), as on 30 September 2026. The Code is in force from 21 November 2025; some provisions may be notified later, and State Governments make their own rules for establishments where the State is the appropriate Government. Verify the current position before acting.