16. Canteens.—(1) The appropriate Government may make rules requiring that in every
establishment—
(a) to which this Act applies,
(b) wherein work requiring employment of contract labour is likely to continue for such period as
may be prescribed, and
(c) wherein contract labour numbering one hundred or more is ordinarily employed by a
contractor,
one or more canteens shall be provided and maintained by the contractor for the use of such contract
labour.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for—
(a) the date by which the canteens shall be provided;
(b) the number of canteens that shall be provided, and the standards in respect of construction,
accommodation, furniture and other equipment of the canteens; and
(c) the foodstuffs which may be served therein and the charges which may be made therefor.
17. Rest-rooms.—(1) In every place wherein contract labour is required to halt at night in connection
with the work of an establishment—
(a) to which this Act applies, and
(b) in which work requiring employment of contract labour is likely to continue for such period as
may be prescribed,
there shall be provided and maintained by the contractor for the use of the contract labour such number of
rest-rooms or such other suitable alternative accommodation within such time as may be prescribed.
(2) The rest-rooms or the alternative accommodation to be provided under sub-section (1) shall be
sufficiently lighted and ventilated and shall be maintained in a clean and comfortable condition.
18. Other facilities.—It shall be the duty of every contractor employing contract labour in connection
with the work of an establishment to which this Act applies, to provide and maintain—
(a) a sufficient supply of wholesome drinking water for the contract labour at convenient places;
(b) a sufficient number of latrines and urinals of the prescribed types so situated as to be
convenient and accessible to the contract labour in the establishment; and
(c) washing facilities.
19. First-aid facilities.—There shall be provided and maintained by the contractor so as to be readily
accessible during all working hours a first-aid box equipped with the prescribed contents at every place
where contract labour is employed by him.
20. Liability of principal employer in certain cases.—(1) If any amenity required to be provided
under section 16, section 17, section 18 or section 19 for the benefit of the contract labour employed in an
establishment is not provided by the contractor within the time prescribed therefor, such amenity shall be
provided by the principal employer within such time as may be prescribed.
(2) All expenses incurred by the principal employer in providing the amenity may be recovered by the
principal employer from the contractor either by deduction from any amount payable to the contractor
under any contract or as a debt payable by the contractor.
21. Responsibility for payment of wages.—(1) A contractor shall be responsible for payment of
wages to each worker employed by him as contract labour and such wages shall be paid before the expiry
of such period as may be prescribed.
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(2) Every principal employer shall nominate a representative duly authorised by him to be present at
the time of disbursement of wages by the contractor and it shall be the duty of such representative to
certify the amounts paid as wages in such manner as may be prescribed.
(3) It shall be the duty of the contractor to ensure the disbursement of wages in the presence of the
authorised representative of the principal employer.
(4) In case the contractor fails to make payment of wages within the prescribed period or makes short
payment, then the principal employer shall be liable to make payment of wages in full or the unpaid
balance due, as the case may be, to the contract labour employed by the contractor and recover the
amount so paid from the contractor either by deduction from any amount payable to the contractor under
any contract or as a debt payable by the contractor.