Kerala HC: Long Service Alone Doesn't Guarantee Regularisation

The Kerala HC dismissed petitions by Cochin Port Trust firemen seeking regularisation and pay parity with permanent staff. The petitioners, employed as LRP workers, argued their work was identical to regular firemen but with lower pay and no benefits.

The court cited State of Karnataka v. Umadevi emphasizing that regularisation requires strict criteria, which the firemen did not meet. Their appointments were not against permanent vacancies but due to a government recruitment ban.

The court ruled that equal pay for equal work does not apply due to differing terms of employment. The firemen were allowed to seek preferential treatment for future recruitment.