THE INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES ACT, 1947 ACT NO. 14 OF 1947 1* [11th March, 1947.]

THE INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES ACT, 1947

ACT NO. 14 OF 1947 1* [11th March, 1947.]

An Act  to make  provision for  the investigation  and  settlement  of industrial disputes, and for certain other purposes.

WHEREAS it  is expedient  to make provision for the investigation and settlement  of industrial disputes, and for certain other purposes hereinafter appearing;

It is hereby enacted as follows:--

CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY

1.

Short title, extent and commencement.

1. Short  title, extent  and commencement.- (1) This  Act may  be called the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

2*[(2) It extends to the whole of India:

3*            *                  *           *             * (3) It shall come into force on the first day of April, 1947.

2. Definitions.

2. Definitions.- In this  Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,--

(a) "appropriate Government" means--

(i)  in   relation  to   any  industrial   dispute concerning 4*** any industry carried on by or under the authority of the  Central  Government,  5***  or  by  a railway  company 6*[or  concerning any  such controlled industry as may  be specified  in this  behalf  by  the Central Government] 7*** or in relation to an industrial dispute concerning 8*[9*[10*

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1.   This Act  has been  extended to  Goa, Daman and Diu by Reg. 12 of

1962, to  Pondicherry  (w.e.f.  1-10-1963)  by  Reg.  7  of  1963  and Laccadive, Minicoy  and Amindivi  Islands by  Reg. 8 of 1965, s. 3 and Sch.

2.   Subs. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 2, for the former sub-section (w.e.f.

29-8-1956).

3.   Proviso omitted  by Act  51 of  1970, s.  2 and Sch. (w.e.f. 1-9-

1971).

4.   Certain words  and figures  inserted by Act 10 of 1963, s. 47 and

Sch. II,  Pt. II have been omitted by Act 36 of 1964, s. 2 (w.e.f.

19-12-1964).

5.   The words "by the Federal Railway Authority" omitted by the A. O.

1948.

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6.   Ins. by Act 65 of 1951, s. 32.

7.   The words  "operating a  Federal Railway"  omitted by  the A.  O.

1950.

8.   Ins. by  Act 47  of 1961, s. 51 and Sch. II, Pt. III (w.e.f. 1-1-

1962).

9.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1964,  s.  2,  for  "the  Deposit  Insurance

Corporation established" (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

10.  Subs. by Act 45 of 1971, s. 2 (w.e.f. 15-12-1971).

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[a Dock Labour Board established under section 5A of the Dock  Workers (Regulation  of  Employment)  Act, 1948 (9 of 1940), or the Industrial Finance Corporation of  India  established  under  section  3  of  the Industrial Finance Corporation Act, 1948 (15 of 1948), or the Employees' State Insurance Corporation established under section 3  of the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 (34 of 1948), or the Board of Trustees constituted under section 3A of the Coal Mines Provident Fund and  Miscellaneous  Provisions  Act, 1948( 46 of 1948), or the Central Board of Trustees and the State Boards of Trustees  constituted  under section  5A  and section 5B, respectively, of the Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act,  1952  (19  of  1952),  or  the "Indian  Airlines"  and  "Air  India"  Corporations  established under section 3 of the Air Corporations Act, 1953 (27 of 1953), or the  Life Insurance Corporation of India established under section 3 of the Life Insurance  Corporation  Act, 1956 (31 of 1956), or the Oil and Natural Gas Commission established under section 3 of the Oil and Natural  Gas Commission Act, 1959 (43 of 1959), or the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee  Corporation  established  under  section  3  of the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Act, 1961 (47 of 1961),  or the Central Warehousing Corporation established under section 3 of the Warehousing  Corporations Act, 1962 (58 of 1962), or the Unit Trust of India established under section 3 of the Unit Trust of India Act, 1963 (52 of 1963), or the  Food  Corporation  of  India  established  under section  3,  or  a  Board  of  Management  established for two or more contiguous States under section 16, of the Food Corporations Act, 1964 (37 of  1964),  or  the  International  Airports  Authority  of  India constituted under section 3 of the International Airports Authority of India  Act,  1971  (48  of 1971), or a Regional Rural Bank established under section 3 of the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 (21 of 1976), or the Export Credit and Guarantee Corporation Limited or the  Industrial Reconstruction Bank of India 2* [the National Housing Bank established under  section  3  of the National Housing Bnak Act, 1987 (53 of 1987) or] 3*[a banking or an insurance company, a mine, an oil-field] 4*[, a Cantonment Board,] or a major port, the Central Government, and

(ii) in  relation to  any other industrial dispute, the

State Government;

4*[(aa) "arbitrator" includes an umpire;]

5*[6*[(aaa)] "average pay" means the average of the wages payable to a workman--

(i) in  the case  of monthly paid workman, in the three complete calendar months,

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1.  Subs.  by Act 46 of 1982, s.  2 (w.e.f.  21-8-1984).

2.  Ins.  by Act 53 of 1987, s.  56 and Sch.  II (w.e.f.  9-7-1988).

3.  Subs. by Act 54 of 1949, s. 3, for "a mine, oil-field".

4.  Ins. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 2 (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

5.  Ins. by Act 43 of 1953, s. 2 (w.e.f. 24-10-1953).

6.  Cl. (aa)  relettered as  "(aaa)" by  Act 36 of 1964, s. 2 (w.e.f.

19-12-1964).

147

(ii) in  the case  of weekly  paid workman, in the four complete weeks,

(iii) in  the case of daily paid workman, in the twelve full working days,

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preceding the  date on which the average pay becomes payable if the  workman had  worked for three complete calendar months or  four complete  weeks or  twelve full working days, as  the case  may be,  and where such calculation cannot be  made, the average pay shall be calculated as the average  of the  wages payable  to a workman during the period he actually worked;]

1*[(b) "award"  means an interim or a final determination of any industrial  dispute or  of  any  question  relating thereto by  any Labour  Court, Industrial  Tribunal  or National Industrial  Tribunal and includes an arbitration award made under section 10A;]

2*[(bb) "banking company" means a banking company as defined in section 5 of the Banking Companies Act, 1949  (10 of

1949), having  branches or other establishments in more than one  State, and includes 3*[the Export-Import Bank of India  4*[,the  Industrial  Reconstruction  Bank  of India,] 5*[the  Industrial Development  Bank of India,]

6*[the Small Industries Development Bank of India established under  section 3  of the  Small  Industries Development Bank  of India Act, 1989 (39 of 1989),] the Reserve  Bank of India,  the State  Bank of  India 7*[a corresponding new bank constituted under section  3  of the   Banking  Companies (Acquisition  and Transfer  of Undertakings)  Act, 1970 (5 of 1970),  8*[a corresponding  new   bank  constituted under  section 3 of  the   Banking  Companies (Acquisition and  Transfer of  Undertakings)  Act,  1980  (40 of  1980),  and  any subsidiary bank]]  as defined  in  the  State   Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Act, 1959 (38 of 1959);]

(c) "Board"  means a Board of Conciliation constituted under this Act;

9*[(cc) "closure"  means the permanent closing down of a place of employment or part thereof;]

(d) "conciliation  officer"  means  a  conciliation  officer appointed under this Act;

(e) "conciliation proceeding" means any proceeding held by a conciliation officer or Board under this Act;

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1.   Subs. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 3, for cl. (b) (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

2.   Subs. by Act 38 of 1959, s. 64 and Sch. III, Pt. II, for cl. (bb)

which was ins. by Act 54 of 1949, s. 3.

3.   Ins. by Act 28 of 1981, s. 40 and Sch. II (w.e.f. 1-1-1982).

4.   Ins.  by Act 62 of 1984, s. 71 and Sch.  III (w.e.f. 20-3-1985).

5.   Ins. by Act 18  of 1964, s. 38 and Sch. II, Pt. II (w.e.f. 1-7-

1964).

6.  Ins.  by Act 39 of 1989, s.  53 and 2nd Sch.   (w.e.f. 7-3-1990).

7.  Subs.  by Act 5 of 1970, s.  20, for "and any subsidiary bank" (w.e.f.  19-7-1969).

8.  Subs.  by Act 40 of 1980, s.  20 (w.e.f.  15-4-1980).

9.  Ins.  by Act 46 of 1982, s.  2 (w.e.f.  21-8-1984).

148

1*[(ee) "controlled industry" means any industry the control of which  by the Union has been declared by any Central Act to be expedient in the public interest;]

2*           *                 *              *                 * (f) "Court"  means a Court of Inquiry constituted under this

Act;

(g) "employer" means--

(i) in  relation to  an industry  carried on by or under the authority of any department of 3*[the Central

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Government or  a State Government], the authority prescribed in  this behalf,  or where  no authority  is prescribed, the head of the department;

(ii) in  relation to  an industry carried on by or on behalf  of a  local authority,  the chief  executive officer of that authority;

4*[(gg) "executive", in relation to a trade union, means the body, by  whatever name called, to which the management of the affairs of the trade union is entrusted;]

5*          *                *                 *               * (i) a  person shall  be deemed  to be  "independent" for the

purpose of  his appointment  as the  chairman or  other member of a Board, Court or Tribunal, if he is unconnected with  the industrial  dispute  referred  to such Board,  Court or  Tribunal or  with  any  industry directly affected by such dispute:

6*[Provided that  no person shall cease to be independent by reason only  of the fact that he is a shareholder of an incorporated company which is connected with, or likely to be affected by, such industrial dispute; but in such a case, he shall disclose to the appropriate Government the nature and extent of the shares held by him in such company;]

7*[(j) "industry"  means any  systematic activity carried on by co-operation  between an  employer and  his  workmen (whether such  workmen are  employed by  such  employer directly or  by or  through  any  agency,  including  a contractor) for  the production, supply or distribution of goods or services with a view to satisfy human wants or wishes  (not being  wants or wishes which are merely spiritual or religious in nature), whether or not,--

(i) any  capital has been invested for the purpose of carrying on such activity; or

(ii) such  activity is carried on with a motive to make any gain or profit,

and includes--

(a) any  activity of  the Dock Labour Board established under section 5A of the Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1948 (9 of 1948);

(b) any  activity relating  to  the  promotion  of sales or  business or  both carried  on  by  an establishment.

but does not include--

(1) any  agricultural operation  except where  such  agricultural operation is  carried on  in  an  integrated  manner  with  any  other activity (being  any such  activity as is referred to in the foregoing provisions of  this clause) and such other activity is the predominant one.

Explanation.--For the  purposes of this sub-clause, "agricultural operation" does not include any activity carried on in a plantation as defined in  clause (f)  of section  2 of  the Plantations  Labour Act,

1951 (69 of 1951); or

(2) hospitals or dispensaries; or

(3) educational,  scientific, research  or training institutions;

or

(4) institutions  owned or  managed by  organisations  wholly  or

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substantially engaged  in  any  charitable,  social  or  philanthropic service; or

(5) khadi or village industries; or

(6) any  activity of  the Government relatable to  the sovereign functions of the Government including all the activities carried on by the departments of the Central Government dealing with defence research, atomic energy and space; or

(7) any domestic service; or

(8) any  activity, being  a profession practised by an individual or body  or individuals,  if the  number of  persons employed  by  the individual or  body of  individuals in  relation to such profession is less than ten; or

(9) any  activity, being an activity carried on by a co-operative society or a club or any other like body of individuals, if the number of persons  employed by  the co-operative  society, club or other like body of individuals in relation to such activity is less than ten;]

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1.   Ins. by Act 65 of 1951, s. 32.

2.   Cl. (eee) ins. by Act 43 of 1953, s. 2 omitted by Act 36 of 1964,

s. 2 (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

3.   Subs. by the A. O. 1948, for "a Government in British India".

4.   Ins. by Act 45 of 1971, s. 2 (w.e.f. 15-12-1971).

5.   Cl. (h) omitted by the A. O. 1950.

6.   Ins. by Act 18 of 1952, s. 2.

7.   Subs. by Act 46 of 1982, s. 2 (w.e.f. -------).

149

(k) "industrial  dispute" means  any dispute  or  difference between employers  and employers  or between  employers and workmen,  or between  workmen and workmen, which is connected with  the employment or non-employment or the terms of  employment or  with the conditions of labour, of any person;

1*[(ka) "industrial  establishment or  undertaking" means an establishment or  undertaking in  which any industry is carried on:

Provided that  where several  activities are  carried  on  in  an establishment or  undertaking and  only one or some of such activities is or are an industry or industries, then,--

(a)  if  any  unit  of  such  establishment  or  undertaking carrying on  any activity, being an industry, is severable from  the other unit or units of such establishment or undertaking, such unit shall be deemed to be  a  separate  industrial  establishment  or undertaking;

(b) if  the predominant  activity or each of the predominant activities carried  on in  such establishment  or undertaking or  any unit thereof is an industry and the other activity  or each of the other activities carried on in such establishment or undertaking or unit thereof is not  severable from  and  is,  for  the  purpose  of carrying on, or aiding the carrying on of, such predominant activity  or  activities,  the  entire establishment or  undertaking or,  as the  case may be, unit thereof  shall  be  deemed  to  be  an  industrial establishment or undertaking;]

2*[(kk) "insurance  company" means  an insurance  company as defined in  section 2 of the Insurance Act, 1938  (4 of

1938), having  branches or other establishments in more

than one State ;]

1*[(kka) "khadi"  has the meaning assigned to it in clause (d) of

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section 2  of the  Khadi and Village Industries Commission  Act,  1956 (61 of 1956);]

3*[(kkb)] "Labour Court" means  a Labour  Court constituted under section 7:]

4*[(kkk) "lay-off"  (with  its  grammatical  variations  and cognate expressions)  means  the  failure,  refusal  or inability of  an employer  on account  of  shortage  of coal, power  or raw  materials or  the accumulation  of stocks or  the breakdown  of  machinery  5*[or  natural calamity or  for any  other connected  reason] to  give employment to  a workman  whose name  is borne  on  the muster rolls  of his  industrial establishment  and who has not been retrenched.

Explanation.--Every workman  whose  name  is  borne  on  the muster rolls  of the  industrial establishment  and who presents himself  for work  at the establishment at the time appointed  for the  purpose during  normal working hours on  any day  and is  not given  employment by the employer within  two hours of his so presenting himself shall be  deemed to  have been  laid-off for  that  day within the meaning of this clause:

Provided that if the workman, instead of being given employment at the commencement of any shift for any day is asked  to present himself for the purpose during the second half  of the  shift for  the day  and  is  given employment then,  he shall be deemed to have been laid- off only for one-half of that day:

Provided further that if he is not given any such employment even after  so presenting  himself,  he  shall  not  be deemed to have been laid-off for the second half of the shift for  the day  and shall be entitled to full basic wages and dearness allowance for that part of the day;]

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1.  Ins.  by Act 46 of 1984 s.  2 (w.e.f.  21-8-1984).

2.  Ins. by Act 54 of 1949, s. 3.

3.  Relettered by Act 46 of 1984, s. 2 (w.e.f. 21-8-1984).

4.  Ins. by Act 43 of 1953, s.  2 (w.e.f.  24-10-1953).

5.  Subs. by Act 46 of 1984, s. 2 (w.e.f. 21-8-1984).

150-150A

(l) "lock-out"  means the 1*[temporary closing of a place of employment] or  the suspension  of work, or the refusal by an  employer to  continue to  employ any  number  of persons employed by him;

2*[(la) "major port" means a major port as defined in clause

(8) of  section 3 of the Indian Ports Act, 1908 (15 of

1908);

(lb) "mine"  means a  mine as  defined in clause (j) of sub- section (1)  of section  2 of the Mines Act, 1952 (35

of 1952)];

3*[(ll) "National  Tribunal"  means  a  National  Industrial

Tribunal constituted under section 7B;]

4*[(lll) "office  bearer", in relation  to  a   trade union, includes any  member  of the executive thereof, but does not include an auditor;]

(m) "prescribed"  means prescribed  by rules made under this

Act;

(n) "public utility service" means--

(i)  any   railway  service  2*[or  any  transport service for the carriage of passengers or goods by air];

7

4*[(ia) any  service in, or in connection with the working of, any major port or dock;]

(ii) any  section of  an industrial establishment, on the working of which the safety of the establishment or the workmen employed therein depends;

(iii) any postal, telegraph or telephone service; (iv) any  industry which  supplies power, light or

water to the public;

(v)  any   system   of   public   conservancy   or sanitation;

(vi)  any   industry  specified  in  the  4*[First Schedule]  which  the  appropriate  Government may, if satisfied that public emergency or public interest  so requires,  by  notification  in the  Official Gazette, declare to be a public utility service for the purposes of this Act, for such period as may be specified in the notification:

Provided that the period so specified shall not, in the first instance, exceed six months but may, by a like noti-

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1.   Subs.  by Act 46 of 1982, s.  2 (w.e.f.  21-8-1984).

2.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 2 (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

3.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 3 (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

4.   Ins. by Act 45 of 1971, s. 2 (w.e.f. 15-12-1971).

5.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1964,  s. 2,  for "Schedule"  (w.e.f. 19-12-

1964).

150B

fication, be  extended from time to time, by any period not exceeding  six months,  at any  one time  if in the opinion of  the appropriate Government public emergency or public interest requires such extension;

(o) "railway  company" means a railway company as defined in section 3  of the  Indian Railways  Act,  1890   (9  of

1890);

1*[(oo) "retrenchment  means the termination by the employer of the  service of a workman for any reason whatsoever, otherwise than  as a  punishment inflicted  by  way  of disciplinary action, but does not include--

(a) voluntary retirement of the workman; or

(b) retirement  of the workman on reaching the age of superannuation if the contract of employment between the employer  and  the  workman  concerned  contains  a stipulation in that behalf; or

2*[(bb) termination of the service of the  workman as a  result  of  the  non-renewal  of  the  contract of employment between the employer and  the   workman concerned   on its  expiry  or  of such  contract  being terminated  under a stipulation in that behalf contained therein; or]

(c) termination of the service of a workman on the ground of continued ill-health;]

3*[(p) "settlement"  means a  settlement arrived  at in  the course  of   conciliation  proceeding  and  includes  a written agreement  between  the  employer  and  workmen arrived at otherwise than in the course of conciliation proceeding where  such agreement has been signed by the parties thereto in such manner as may be prescribed and a copy

8

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1.   Ins. by Act 43 of 1953, s. 2 (w.e.f. 24-10-1953).

2.   Ins.  by Act 49 of 1984, s.  2 (w.e.f.  18-8-1984).

3.   Subs. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 3, for cl. (p) (w.e.f. 7-10-1956).

151

thereof has  been sent  to 1*[an  officer authorised in this behalf  by] the  appropriate  Government  and  the conciliation officer;]

(q) "strike"  means a cessation of work by a body of persons employed in  any industry  acting in  combination or  a concerted refusal,  or a  refusal under a common understanding, of any number of persons who are or have been so  employed to  continue to  work  or  to  accept employment;

2*[(qq) "trade  union" means  a trade union registered under the Trade Unions Act, 1926 (16 of 1926);]

3*[(r) "Tribunal"  means an  Industrial Tribunal constituted under section  7A and  includes an  Industrial Tribunal constituted before  the 10th  day of March, 1957, under this Act;]

2*[(ra) "unfair  labour practice" means any of the practices specified in the Fifth Schedule;

(rb) "village  industries" has the meaning assigned to it in clause (h)  of section  2  of  the  Khadi  and  Village Industries Commission Act, 1956 (61 of 1956) ;]

4*[(rr) "wages"  means all  remuneration  capable  of  being expressed in  terms of money, which would, if the terms of employment, expressed or implied, were fulfilled, be payable to a workman in respect of his employment or of work done in such employment, and includes--

(i) such allowances (including dearness allowance)

as the workman is for the time being entitled to;

(ii) the  value of  any house accommodation, or of supply of  light, water,  medical attendance  or  other amenity or of any service or of any concessional supply of food-grains or other articles;

(iii) any travelling concession;

2*[(iv) any commission payable  on  the  promotion of sales  or business or both;]

but does not include-- (a) any bonus;

(b) any contribution paid or payable by the employer to  any pension  fund or  provident fund or for the benefit of  the workman  under any law for the time being in force;

service;]

(c) any gratuity payable on the termination of his

5*[(s) "workman"  means  any  person (including  an  apprentice) employed in  any  industry  to  do  any  manual,  unskilled,  skilled, technical, operational,  clerical or  supervisory  work  for  hire  or reward, whether the terms of employment be express or implied, and for the purposes  of any  proceeding under  this Act  in  relation  to  an industrial dispute,  includes any  such person who has been dismissed, discharged or  retrenched in  connection with, or as a consequence of,

9

that dispute,  or whose  dismissal, dischasrge or retrenchment has led to that dispute, but does not include any such person--

(i) who is subject to the Air Force Act, 1950 (45 of  1950), or the  Army Act,  1950 (46 of 1950),  or the Navy Act,

1957 (62 of 1957); or

(ii) who  is employed in the police service or as an officer or other employee of a prison; or

(iii) who  is employed  mainly in  a  managerial  or administrative capacity; or

(iv) who,  being employed  in a  supervisory capacity, draws wages exceeding  one thousand  six hundred  rupees  per mensem or exercises, either by the nature of the duties attached to  the office  or by  reason  of  the  powers vested  in   him,  functions  mainly  of  a  managerial nature.

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1.   Ins. by Act 35 of 1965, s. 2 (w.e.f. 1-12-1965).

2.   Ins.  and Subs.  by Act 46 of 1982, s.  2 (w.e.f.  21-8-1984).

3.   Subs. by Act 18 of 1957, s. 2, for cl. (r) (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

4.   Ins. by Act 43 of 1953, s. 2 (w.e.f. 24-10-1953).

5.   Subs. by Act 46 of 1982, s. 2 (w. e. f. 21-8-1984).

152

2A.

Dismissal, etc.,  of an  individual workman  to be  deemed  to  be anindustrial dispute.

1*[2A. Dismissal, etc., of an individual workman to be deemed to be an  industrial dispute.- Where any  employer discharges, dismisses, retrenches, or  otherwise terminates  the services  of  an  individual workman, any  dispute or  difference  between  that  workman  and  his employer connected with, or arising out of, such discharge, dismissal, retrenchment or  termination shall  be  deemed  to  be  an  industrial dispute notwithstanding that no other workman nor any union of workmen is a party to the dispute.]

CHAPTER II AUTHORITIES UNDER THIS ACT

3.

Works Committee.

3. Works Committee.- (1)  In the case of any industrial establishment in  which one  hundred or  more workmen  are employed or have been  employed on  any day  in the  preceding twelve  months, the appropriate Government  may by  general or  special order  require the employer to  constitute in  the prescribed  manner a  Works  Committee consisting of  representatives of employers and workmen engaged in the establishment so however that the number of representatives of workmen on the  Committee shall not be less than the number of representatives of the

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1.   Ins. by Act 35 of 1965, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-12-1965).

153

employer. The  representatives of  the workmen  shall be chosen in the prescribed manner  from among the workmen engaged in the establishment and in  consultation with  their trade union, if any, registered under

10

the Indian Trade Unions Act, 1926 (16 of 1926).

(2) It  shall be  the duty  of the  Works  Committee  to  promote measures for  securing and preserving amity and good relations between the employer  and workmen and, to that end, to comment upon matters of their common interest or concern and endeavour to compose any material difference of opinion in respect of such matters.

4.

Conciliation officers.

4. Conciliation officers.- (1) The appropriate Government may, by notification in  the Official  Gazette, appoint such number of persons as it thinks fit, to be conciliation officers, charged with the duty of mediating in and promoting the settlement of industrial disputes.

(2) A  conciliation officer may be appointed for a specified area or for  specified industries  in a  specified area  or for one or more specified industries and either permanently or for a limited period.

5.

Boards of Conciliation.

5. Boards of Conciliation.- (1) The appropriate Government may as occasion arises  by notification  in the Official Gazette constitute a Board of  Conciliation for  promoting the  settlement of an industrial dispute.

(2) A  Board shall  consist of  a chairman  and two or four other members, as the appropriate Government thinks fit.

(3) The  chairman shall  be an  independent person  and the other members shall  be persons  appointed in equal numbers to represent the parties to  the dispute  and any person appointed to represent a party shall be appointed on the recommendation of that party:

Provided that,  if any  party fails  to make  a recommendation as aforesaid within the prescribed time, the appropriate Government shall appoint such persons as it thinks fit to represent that party.

(4)  A   Board,   having   the   prescribed   quorum,   may   act notwithstanding the  absence of  the chairman or any of its members or any vacancy in its number:

Provided that  if the  appropriate Government  notifies the Board that the  services of  the chairman or of any other member have ceased to be  available, the  Board shall  not act  until a  new chairman  or member, as the case may be, has been appointed.

6.

Courts of Inquiry.

6. Courts  of Inquiry.- (1) The  appropriate  Government  may  as occasion arises  by notification  in the Official Gazette constitute a Court of  Inquiry for  inquiring  into  any  matter  appearing  to  be connected with or relevant to an industrial dispute.

154

(2) A  Court may  consist of  one independent  person or  of such number of  independent persons as the appropriate Government may think fit and  where a  Court consists  of two  or more members, one of them shall be appointed as the chairman.

11

(3)  A   Court,   having   the   prescribed   quorum,   may   act notwithstanding the  absence of  the chairman or any of its members or any vacancy in its number:

Provided that,  if the  appropriate Government notifies the Court that the  services of  the chairman  have ceased  to be available, the Court shall not act until a new chairman has been appointed.

7.

Labour Courts.

1*[7. Labour Courts.- (1)  The  appropriate  Government  may,  by notification in  the Official  Gazette, constitute  one or more Labour Courts for  the adjudication  of industrial  disputes relating  to any matter specified  in the Second Schedule and for performing such other functions as may be assigned to them under this Act.

(2) A  Labour Court  shall consist  of  one  person  only  to  be appointed by the appropriate Government.

(3) A  person shall  not be  qualified  for  appointment  as  the presiding officer of a Labour Court, unless--

2*[(a) he is, or has been, a Judge of a High Court; or

(b) he  has, for a period of not less than three years, been a District Judge or an Additional District Judge; or

3*              *                *               *               *

4*[(d)] he  has held  any judicial  office in  India for not less than seven years; or

4*[(e)] he  has been the presiding officer of a Labour Court constituted under  any Provincial  Act or State Act for not less than five years.

7A. Tribunals.

7A. Tribunals.- (1) The  appropriate  Government  may,  by notification  in   the  Official   Gazette,  constitute  one  or  more Industrial Tribunals  for  the  adjudication  of  industrial  disputes relating to  any matter,  whether specified  in the Second Schedule or the Third  Schedule 5*[and  for performing such other functions as may be assigned to them under this Act].

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 4, for s. 7 (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

2.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 3 (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

3.   Omitted by Act 46 of 1982, s.  3 (w.e.f.  21-8-1984).

4.   Clauses (a)  and (b) relettered as (d) and (e) respectively   by

Act 36 of 1964, s. 3 (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

5    Ins. by Act 46 of 1982, s. 4 (w.e.f. 21-8-1984).

155

(2) A  Tribunal shall  consist of one person only to be appointed by the appropriate Government.

(3) A  person shall  not be  qualified  for  appointment  as  the presiding officer of a Tribunal unless--

(a) he is, or has been, a Judge of a High Court; or

1*[(aa) he  has, for  a period of not less than three years, been a  District Judge or an Additional District Judge;

2*xxx]

12

2*             *                *                *              * (4) The  appropriate Government may, if it so thinks fit, appoint

two persons  as assessors  to advise  the Tribunal  in the  proceeding before it.

7B.

National Tribunals.

7B. National  Tribunals.- (1)  The  Central  Government  may,  by notification in  the Official Gazette, constitute one or more National Industrial Tribunals  for  the  adjudication  of  industrial  disputes which, in  the opinion of the Central Government, involve questions of national importance  or are  of such a nature that industrial establishments situated  in more  than one  State  are  likely  to  be interested in, or affected by, such disputes.

(2) A  National Tribunal  shall consist  of one person only to be appointed by the Central Government.

(3) A  person shall  not be  qualified  for  appointment  as  the presiding officer of a National Tribunal 3*[unless he is, or has been, a Judge of a High Court].

(4) The  Central Government may, if it so thinks fit, appoint two persons as assessors to advise the National Tribunal in the proceeding before it.

7C.

Disqualifications  for   the  presiding  officers  of  Labour

Courts,Tribunals

and National Tribunals.

7C.  Disqualifications  for  the  presiding  officers  of  Labour Courts, Tribunals and National Tribunals.-No person shall be appointed to, or  continue in,  the office  of the presiding officer of a Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal, if--

(a) he is not an independent person; or

(b) he has attained the age of sixty-five years.]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 4 (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

2.   Omitted by Act 46 of 1982, s. 4 (w.e.f. 21-8-1984).

3.   Subs. by s. 5, ibid (w.e.f. 21-8-1984).

156

8.

Filling of vacancies.

1*[8. Filling  of vacancies.- If, for any reason a vacancy (other than a  temporary absence)  occurs in  the  office  of  the  presiding officer of  a Labour  Court, Tribunal  or National  Tribunal or in the office of  the chairman or any other member of a Board or Court, then, in the  case of a National Tribunal, the Central Government and in any other case,  the appropriate  Government, shall appoint another person in accordance with the provisions of this Act to fill the vacancy, and the proceeding  may be  continued before  the Labour  Court, Tribunal, National Tribunal,  Board or Court, as the case may be, from the stage at which the vacancy is filled.

13

9.

Finality of orders constituting Boards, etc.

9. Finality  of orders constituting Boards, etc.- (1) No order of the appropriate Government or of the Central Government appointing any person as  the chairman  or any other member of a Board or Court or as the presiding officer of a Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal shall be  called in  question in  any manner; and no act or proceeding before any Board or Court shall be called in question in any manner on the ground merely of the existence of any vacancy in, or defect in the constitution of, such Board or Court.

(2) No  settlement arrived  at in  the course  of a  conciliation proceeding shall  be invalid  by reason  only of  the fact  that  such settlement was  arrived at  after the expiry of the period referred to in sub-section  (6) of section 12 or sub-section (5) of section 13, as the case may be.

(3) Where  the report  of any settlement arrived at in the course of conciliation  proceeding before  a Board  is signed by the chairman and all  the other  members of  the Board, no such settlement shall be invalid by  reason only  of the casual or unforeseen absence of any of the members  (including the chairman) of the Board during any stage of the proceeding.]

2*[CHAPTER IIA NOTICE OF CHANGE

9A.

Notice of change.

9A. Notice  of change.- No employer, who proposes  to effect any change in  the conditions  of service  applicable to  any  workman  in respect of  any matter  specified in the Fourth Schedule, shall effect such change,--

(a) without  giving to  the workmen likely to be affected by such change  a notice  in the  prescribed manner of the nature of the change proposed to be effected; or

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1956,  s. 5,  for ss.  8 and 9 (w.e.f. 10-3-

1957).

2.   Ins. by s. 6, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

157

(b) within twenty-one days of giving such notice:

Provided that  no notice shall be required for effecting any such change--

(a) where  the  change  is  effected  in  pursuance  of  any

1*[settlement or award]; or

(b) where  the workmen  likely to  be affected by the change are persons  to whom  the Fundamental and Supplementary Rules, Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal)  Rules,   Civil  Services  (Temporary  Service) Rules, Revised  Leave Rules, Civil Service Regulations, Civilians in  Defence Services (Classification, Control and Appeal)  Rules or  the Indian Railway Establishment Code or  any other  rules or  regulations that  may  be notified in  this behalf  by the appropriate Government

14

in the Official Gazette, apply.

9B.

Power of Government to exempt.

9B.  Power   of  Government  to  exempt.- Where  the  appropriate Government is  of opinion  that the  application of  the provisions of section 9A  to any  class of industrial establishments or to any class of workmen employed in any industrial establishment affect the employers in  relation thereto  so prejudicially that such application may cause  serious repercussion  on the  industry concerned  and  that public interest  so  requires,  the  appropriate  Government  may,  by notification in  the Official  Gazette, direct  that the provisions of the said  section shall  not apply  or shall  apply, subject  to  such conditions as  may be  specified in the notification, to that class of industrial establishments  or to that class of workmen employed in any industrial establishment.]

3*[CHAPTER IIB

REFERENCE OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL DISPUTES TO GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT AUTHORITIES

9C.

Setting up  of  Grievance  Settlement  Authorities  and  reference ofcertain

individual disputes to such authorities.

9C. Setting  up of Grievance Settlement Authorities and reference of certain  individual disputes  to such authorities.-(1) The employer in relation  to every  industrial establishment in which fifty or more workmen are employed or have been employed on any day in the preceding twelve months, shall provide for, in accordance with the rules made in that behalf  under this  Act, a Grievance Settlement Authority for the settlement of industrial disputes connected with an individual workman employed in the establishment.

(2) Where  an industrial  dispute connected  with  an  individual workman arises  in an  establishment referred to in sub-section (1), a workman or  any trade  union of  workmen of  which such  workman is  a member, refer, in such manner as may be prescribed such dispute to the Grievance Settlement Authority provided for by the employer under that sub-section for settlement.

(3) The Grievance Settlement Authority referred to in sub-section (1) shall  follow such  procedure and  complete its proceedings within such period as may be prescribed.

(4) No  reference shall be made under Chapter III with respect to any dispute  referred to  in this section unless such dispute has been referred to  the Grievance  Settlement  Authority  concerned  and  the decision of  the Grievance  Settlement Authority  is not acceptable to any of the parties to the dispute.]

CHAPTER III

REFERENCE OF DISPUTES TO BOARDS, COURTS OR TRIBUNALS

10.

15

Reference of disputes to Boards, Courts or Tribunals.

10. Reference  of disputes  to Boards,  Courts or Tribunals.- (1)

3*[Where the  appropriate Government is of opinion that any industrial dispute exists  or is  apprehended, it  may at  any time], by order in writing,--

(a) refer  the dispute to a Board for promoting a settlement thereof; or

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by Act 46 of 1982, s. 6 (w.e.f. 21-8-1984).

2.   Ins. by s. 7, ibid. (w.e.f..........).

3.   Subs. by Act 18 of  1952,  s.   3, for "If any industrial dispute

exists or is apprehended, the appropriate Government may".

158

(b) refer  any matter  appearing to  be  connected  with  or relevant to the dispute to a Court for inquiry; or

1*[(c) refer  the dispute  or any  matter  appearing  to  be connected with,  or relevant  to, the  dispute,  if  it relates to any matter specified in the Second Schedule, to a Labour Court for adjudication; or

(d)  refer  the  dispute  or  any  matter  appearing  to  be connected with, or relevant to, the dispute, whether it relates to any matter specified, in the Second Schedule or the Third Schedule, to a Tribunal for adjudication:

Provided that  where  the  dispute  relates  to  any  matter specified in  the Third  Schedule and  is not likely to affect more  than one  hundred workmen, the appropriate Government may, if it so thinks fit, make the reference to a Labour Court under clause (c):]

2*[Provided further  that] where  the dispute  relates to  a public utility  service and  a notice  under section 22 has  been  given,  the  appropriate  Government  shall, unless  it   considers  that   the  notice   has   been frivolously or  vexatiously given  or that  it would be inexpedient so  to do, make a reference under this sub- section  notwithstanding  that  any  other  proceedigns under this  Act in  respect of  the  dispute  may  have commenced:

3*[Provided also  that where the dispute in relation to which the Central  Government   is  the  appropriate  Government,  it  shall  be competent for  that Government  to refer the dispute to a Labour Court or an  Industrial Tribunal,  as the  case may  be, constituted  by the State Government;]

4*[(1A) Where  the Central  Government is  of  opinion  that  any industrial dispute  exists or  is apprehended and the dispute involves any question  of national  importance or  is of  such  a  nature  that industrial establishments  situated in  more than one State are likely to be interested in, or affected by, such dispute and that the dispute should be  adjudicated by  a  National  Tribunal,  then,  the  Central Government may,  whether or  not it  is the  appropriate Government in relation to  that dispute, at any time, by order in writing, refer the dispute or  any matter appearing to be connected with, or relevant to, the dispute,  whether it relates to any matter specified in the Second Schedule or  the Third  Schedule, to  a Natoinal Tribunal for adjudication.]

(2) Where  the parties  to an  industrial dispute  apply  in  the prescribed manner,  whether jointly  or separately, for a reference of the dispute  to  a  Board, Court 4*[Labour Court, Tribunal or National

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 7, for cl. (c) (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

2.   Subs. by s. 7, ibid., for "Provided that" (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

3.   Ins.  by Act 46 of 1982, s.  8 (w.e.f.  21-8-1984).

16

4.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 7 (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

5.   Subs. by s. 7, ibid., for "or Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

159

Tribunal], the  appropriate Government,  if satisfied that the persons applying  represent  the  majority  of  each  party,  shall  make  the reference accordingly.

1*[(2A) An  order referring  an industrial  dispute to  a  Labour Court, Tribunal  or National Tribunal under this section shall specify the period  within which  such  Labour  Court,  Tribunal  or  National Tribunal shall  submit its  award on  such dispute  to the appropriate Government:

Provided that  where such industrial dispute is connected with an individual workman, no such period shall exceed three months:

Provided further  that where the parties to an industrial dispute apply in  the prescribed manner, whether jointly or separately, to the Labour Court,  Tribunal or  National Tribunal  for extension  of  such period or  for any  other reason,  and the  presiding officer  of such Labour Court,  Tribunal or National Tribunal considers it necessary or expedient to  extend such period, he may for reasons to be recorded in writing, extend  such period  by such  further period  as he may think fit:

Provided also that in computing any period specified in this sub- section, the  period, if  any, for  which the  proceedings before  the Labour Court,  Tribunal or  National Tribunal  had been  stayed by any injunction or order of a Civil Court shall be excluded:

Provided also that no proceedings before a Labour Court, Tribunal or National  Tribunal shall lapse merely on the ground that any period specified under  this sub-section had expired without such proceedings being completed.]

(3) Where  an industrial  dispute has  been referred  to a Board,

2*[Labour Court,  Tribunal or  National Tribunal]  under this section,

the appropriate  Government may  by order  prohibit the continuance of any strike or lock-out in connection with such dispute which may be in existence on the date of the reference.

3*[(4) Where  in an order referring an industrial dispute to 4*[a Labour Court,  Tribunal or National Tribunal] under this section or in a subsequent  order, the  appropriate  Government  has  specified  the points of  dispute  for  adjudication,  5*[the  Labour  Court  or  the Tribunal or  the National  Tribunal, as the case may be] shall confine its adjudication to those points and matters incidental thereto.

(5) Where a dispute concerning any establishment or establishments has been,  or is  to be,  referred to  a 6*[Labour  Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal]  under this  section and the appropriate Government is of  opinion, whether on an application made to it in this behalf or otherwise, that  the dispute  is of  such  a  nature  that  any  other establishment, group or class of establishments of a similar nature is likely to  be  interested  in,  or  affected  by,  such  dispute,  the appropriate Government  may, at the time of making the reference or at any time thereafter but before the submission of the award, include in that reference  such establishment,  group or class of establishments, whether or  not at the time of such inclusion any dispute exists or is apprehended in that establishment, group or class of establishments.]

7*[(6) Where  any reference  has been made under sub-section (1A) to a  National Tribunal,  then notwithstanding  anything contained  in this Act,  no Labour  Court or  Tribunal shall  have  jurisdiction  to adjudicate upon  any matter  which is  under adjudication  before  the National Tribunal, and accordingly,--

(a) if  the matter  under adjudication  before the  National Tribunal is  pending in  a proceeding  before a  Labour Court or  Tribunal, the  proceeding before  the  Labour Court or the Tribunal, as the case may be, in so far as

17

it relates to

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.  Ins.  by Act 46 of 1982, s.  8 (w.e.f.  21-8-1984).

2.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1956,  s. 7, for "or Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-

1957).

3.   Ins. by Act 18 of 1952, s. 3.

4.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1956,  s. 7,  for "a Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-

1957).

5.   Subs. by s. 7, ibid., for "the Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

6.   Subs. by s. 7. ibid., for "Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

7.   Ins. by s. 7, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

160

such matter,  shall be  deemed to  have been quashed on such reference to the National Tribunal; and

(b) it shall not be lawful for the appropriate Government to refer the matter under adjudication before the National Tribunal to  any Labour  Court or  Tribunal  for adjudication during  the pendency  of the proceeding in relation to such matter before the National Tribunal.

1*[Explanation.--In   this   sub-section,   "Labour   Court"   or "Tribunal" includes  any Court  or Tribunal or other authority constituted under  any law relating to investigation and settlement of industrial disputes in force in any State.]

(7) Where  any industrial  dispute,  in  relation  to  which  the Central Government is not the appropriate Government, is referred to a National Tribunal,  then notwithstanding  anything contained  in  this Act, any reference in section 15, section 17, section 19, section 33A, section 33B  and section 36A to the appropriate Government in relation to such  dispute shall  be construed  as a  reference to  the  Central Government but,  save as aforesaid and as otherwise expressly provided in this  Act, any  reference in any other provision of this Act to the appropriate Government  in relation  to  that  dispute  shall  mean  a reference to the State Government.]

2*[(8) No  proceedings pending before a Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal  in relation  to an  industrial dispute  shall lapse merely by  reason of  the death  of any  of the parties to the dispute being a  workman, and such Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal shall  complete   such  proceedings   and  submit  its  award  to  the appropriate Government.]

10A.

Voluntary reference of disputes to arbitration.

3*[10A. Voluntary reference of disputes to arbitration.- (1) Where any industrial  dispute exists  or is apprehended and the employer and the workmen  agree to  refer the  dispute to arbitration, they may, at any time  before the  dispute has  been referred under section 10 to a Labour Court or Tribunal or National Tribunal, by a written agreement, refer the  dispute to  arbitration and  the reference shall be to such person or  persons (including  the presiding officer of a Labour Court or Tribunal  or National  Tribunal) as an arbitrator or arbitrators as may be specified in the arbitration agreement.

4*[(1A) Where  an arbitration  agreement provides for a reference of the  dispute to  an even number of arbitrators, the agreement shall provide for  the appointment  of another  person as  umpire who  shall enter upon  the reference,  if the  arbitrators are equally divided in their opinion,  and the award of the umpire shall prevail and shall be deemed to be the arbitration award for the purposes of this Act.]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.  Ins. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 5 (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

2.  Ins. by Act 46 of 1982, s. 8 (w.e.f. 21-8-1984).

3.  Ins. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 8 (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

4.  Ins. by s. 6, ibid. (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

18

161

(2) An arbitration agreement referred to in sub-section (1) shall be in  such form  and shall  be signed  by the parties thereto in such manner as may be prescribed.

(3) A copy of the arbitration agreement shall be forwarded to the appropriate  Government   and  the   conciliation  officer   and   the appropriate Government  shall, within  1*[one month]  from the date of the receipt of such copy, publish the same in the Official Gazette.

2*[(3A) Where  an industrial dispute has been referred to arbitration and  the appropriate  Government  is  satisfied  that  the persons making the reference represent the majority of each party, the appropriate Government may, within the time referred to in sub-section (3) issue a notification in such manner as may be prescribed; and when any such notification is issued, the employers and workmen who are not parties to the arbitration agreement but are concerned in the dispute, shall be  given an  opportunity of  presenting their  case before  the arbitrator or arbitrators.]

(4) The  arbitrator or  arbitrators shall investigate the dispute and submit  to the appropriate Government the arbitration award signed by the arbitrator or all the arbitrators, as the case may be.

2*[(4A) Where  an industrial dispute has been referred to arbitration and a notification has been issued under sub-section (3A), the appropriate  Government may, by order, prohibit the continuance of any strike or lock-out in connection with such dispute which may be in existence on the date of the reference.]

(5) Nothing  in the  Arbitration Act, 1940  (10  of 1940), shall apply to arbitrations under this section.]

CHAPTER IV

PROCEDURE, POWERS AND DUTIES OF AUTHORITIES

11.

Procedure and  powers of  conciliation officers,  Boards,  Courts andTribunals.

11. Procedure and powers of conciliation officers, Boards, Courts and Tribunals.- 3*[(1) Subject  to any  rules that may be made in this behalf, an  arbitrator, a  Board, Court,  Labour  Court,  Tribunal  or National Tribunal  shall follow  such procedure  as the  arbitrator or other authority concerned may think fit.]

(2) A conciliation officer or a member of a Board, 4*[or Court or the  presiding  officer  of  a  Labour  Court,  Tribunal  or  National Tribunal]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 6, for "fourteen days" (w.e.f. 19-12-

1964).

2.  Ins. by s. 6, ibid. (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

3.  Subs. by  Act 36 of 1956, s. 9, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 10-3-

1957).

4.  Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for "Court or Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

162

may for  the purpose  of inquiry  into  any  existing  or  apprehended industrial dispute, after giving reasonable notice, enter the premises occupied by any establishment to which the dispute relates.

19

(3) Every  Board, Court,  1*[Labour Court,  Tribunal and National Tribunal] shall  have the  same powers  as are vested in a Civil Court under the  Code of  Civil Procedure,  1908 (5 of 1908),  when trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:--

(a) enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;

(b) compelling  the production  of  documents  and  material objects;

(c) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses; (d) in respect of such other matters as may be prescribed;

and every inquiry or investigation by a Board, Court, 2*[Labour Court, Tribunal or  National Tribunal],  shall be  deemed to  be  a  judicial proceeding within  the meaning  of sections  193 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).

(4) A  conciliation officer  3*[may enforce the attendance of any person for  the purpose of examination of such person or call for] and inspect any  document which  he  has  ground  for  considering  to  be relevant to  the industrial  dispute 4*[or  to be  necessary  for  the purpose of  verifying the  implementation of any award or carrying out any other  duty imposed  on him  under this Act, and for the aforesaid purposes, the  conciliation officer  shall have the same powers as are vested in a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908  (5 of

1908),  3*[in  respect of  enforcing the  attendance of  any person and

examining him or of compelling the production of documents].

5*[(5) A  Court, Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal may, if it  so thinks  fit, appoint  one or  more  persons  having  special knowledge of  the matter  under consideration as assessor or assessors to advise it in the proceeding before it.

(6) All  conciliation officers,  members of  a Board or Court and the presiding  officers  of  a  Labour  Court,  Tribunal  or  National Tribunal shall  be deemed  to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).

(7) Subject  to any  rules made under this Act, the costs of, and incidental to,  any proceeding  before a  Labour  Court,  Tribunal  or National Tribunal shall be in the   discretion  of  that Labour Court,

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1956, s. 9, for "and Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-

1957).

2.   Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for "or Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

3.  Subs.  by Act 46 of 1982, s.  9 (w.e.f.  21-8-1984).

4.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 9 (w.e.f. 17-9-1956).

5.   Subs. by  s. 9,  ibid., for sub-sections (5) to (7) (w.e.f. 10-3-

1957).

163

Tribunal or  National Tribunal  and  the  Labour  Court,  Tribunal  or National Tribunal,  as the  case may  be, shall  have  full  power  to determine by  and to  whom and  to what  extent and  subject  to  what conditions, if  any, such  costs are  to be  paid,  and  to  give  all necessary directions for the purposes aforesaid and such costs may, on application made  to the appropriate Government by the person entited, be recovered  by that  Government in  the same  manner as an arrear of land revenue.]

1*[(8) Every  2*[Labour Court,  Tribunal  or  National  Tribunal]

shall be deemed to be Civil Court for the purposes of 3*[sections 345,

346 and 348 of the Code  of  Criminal  Procedure,  1973  (5 of 1898).]

11A.

Powers of  Labour Courts,  Tribunals and  National Tribunals  to giveappropriate relief in case of discharge or dismissal of workmen.

20

4*[11A. Powers of Labour Courts, Tribunals and National Tribunals to give  appropriate relief  in case  of  discharge  or  dismissal  of workmen.- Where  an industrial  dispute relating to the  discharge  or dismissal of  a workman  has been referred to a Labour Court, Tribunal or National  Tribunal for  adjudication and,  in  the  course  of  the adjudication proceedings,  the  Labour  Court,  Tribunal  or  National Tribunal, as the case may be, is satisfied that the order of discharge or dismissal  was not  justified, it  may, by its award, set aside the order of  discharge or  dismissal  and  direct  reinstatement  of  the workman on  such terms  and conditions,  if any,  as it thinks fit, or give such  other relief  to the  workman including  the award  of  any lesser punishment  in lieu  of discharge  or dismissal as the circumstances of the case may require:

Provided that  in any  proceeding under  this section  the Labour Court, Tribunal  or National  Tribunal, as the case may be, shall rely only on  the materials on record and shall not take any fresh evidence in relation to the matter.]

12.

Duties of conciliation officers.

12. Duties  of conciliation officers.- (1)  Where any  industrial dispute exists  or is  apprehended, the  conciliation officer  may, or where the  dispute relates  to a  public utility  service and a notice under section  22 has  been given, shall hold conciliation proceedings in the prescribed manner.

(2) The  conciliation officer  shall, for the purpose of bringing about a  settlement of  the dispute,  without delay,  investigate  the dispute and  all matters affecting the merits and the right settlement thereof and may do all such things as he thinks fit for the purpose of inducing the  parties to come to a fair and amicable settlement of the dispute.

(3) If  a settlement  of the  dispute or of any of the matters in dispute is  arrived at  in the  course of the conciliation proceedings the conciliation

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Ins. by Act 48 of 1950, s. 34 and Sch.

2.   Subs. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 9, for "Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

3.   Subs.  by Act 46 of 1982, s.  9 (w.e.f.  21-8-1984).

4.   Ins. by Act 45 of 1971, s. 3 (w.e.f. 15-12-1972).

164

officer shall  send a  report thereof  to the  appropriate  Government

1*[or an officer authorised in this behalf by the appropriate Government] together with a memorandum of the settlement signed by the parties to the dispute.

(4) If no such settlement is arrived at, the conciliation officer shall, as  soon as  practicable after  the close of the investigation, send to  the appropriate  Government a  full report  setting forth the steps taken  by him  for  ascertaining  the  facts  and  circumstances relating to  the dispute  and for bringing about a settlement thereof, together with  a full  statement of  such facts and circumstances, and the reasons  on account  of which,  in his opinion, a settlement could not be arrived at.

(5) If,  on a  consideration of  the report  referred to  in sub- section (4),  the appropriate  Government is satisfied that there is a case for  reference to  a Board, 2*[Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal,]  it   may  make   such  reference.  Where  the  appropriate Government does  not  make  such  a  reference  it  shall  record  and communicate to the parties concerned its reasons therefor.

(6) A  report  under  this  section  shall  be  submitted  within

21

fourteen days  of the  commencement of the conciliation proceedings or within such  shorter  period  as  may  be  fixed  by  the  appropriate Government:

3*[Provided that,  4*[subject to the approval of the conciliation officer,] the time for the submission of the report may be extended by such period as may be agreed upon in writing by all the parties to the dispute.]

13.

Duties of Board.

13. Duties  of Board.- (1) Where a dispute has been referred to a Board under  this Act,  it shall be the duty of the Board to endeavour to bring about a settlement of the same and for this purpose the Board shall, in  such manner as it thinks fit and without delay, investigate the dispute  and all  matters  affecting  the  merits  and  the  right settlement thereof and may do all such things as it thinks fit for the purpose of  inducing the  parties to  come  to  a  fair  and  amicable settlement of the dispute.

(2) If  a settlement  of the  dispute or of any of the matters in dispute is  arrived at  in the course of the conciliation proceedings, the Board  shall send  a report  thereof to the appropriate Government together with  a memorandum of the settlement signed by the parties to the dispute.

(3) If no such settlement is arrived at, the Board shall, as soon as practicable  after the  close of  the investigation,  send  to  the appropriate

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Ins. by Act 35 of 1965, s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-12-1965).

2.  Subs. by  Act 36  of 1956, s. 10. for "or Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-

1957).

3.  Ins. by s. 10, ibid. (w.e.f. 17-9-1956).

4.  Ins. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 8 (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

164A

Government a full report setting forth the proceedings and steps taken by the  Board for ascertaining the facts and circumstances relating to the dispute and for bringing about a settlement thereof, together with a full  statement  of  such  facts  and  circumstances,  its  findings thereon, the reasons on account of which, in its opinion, a settlement could not  be arrived at and its recommendations for the determination of the dispute.

(4) If,  on the  receipt of  a report under sub-section  (3)  in respect of  a dispute  relating  to  a  public  utility  service,  the appropriate Government does not make a reference to a 1*[Labour Court, Tribunal

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1956,  s. 11,  for "Tribunal"  (w.e.f. 10-3-

1957).

165

or  National   Tribunal]  under   section  10,  it  shall  record  and communicate to the parties concerned its reasons therefor.

(5) The  Board shall  submit its report under this section within two months of the date, 1*[on which the dispute was referred to it] or within such  shorter  period  as  may  be  fixed  by  the  appropriate Government:

Provided that  the appropriate  Government may  from time to time extend the  time for  the submission  of the  report by  such  further periods not exceeding two months in the aggregate:

Provided further  that the  time for the submission of the report

22

may be  extended by  such period as may be agreed on in writing by all the parties to the dispute.

14.

Duties of Courts.

14. Duties  of Courts.- A Court  shall inquire  into the  matters referred to  it and  report  thereon  to  the  appropriate  Government ordinarily within  a period of six months from the commencement of its inquiry.

15.

Duties of Labour Courts, Tribunals and National Tribunals.

2*[15. Duties of Labour Courts, Tribunals and National Tribunals.- Where an  industrial dispute  has been  referred to  a  Labour  Court, Tribunal or  National Tribunal  for adjudication,  it shall  hold  its proceedings expeditiously and shall, 3*[within the period specified in the order  referring such  industrial dispute  or the  further  period extended under  the second proviso to sub-section (2A) of section 10], submit its award to the appropriate Government.

16.

Form of report or award.

16. Form  of report  or award.-(1) The report of a Board or Court shall be  in writing  and shall  be signed  by all  the members of the Board or Court, as the case may be:

Provided that  nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent any member  of the Board or Court from recording any minute of dissent from a report or from any recommendation made therein.

(2) The  award of a Labour Court or Tribunal or National Tribunal shall be in writing and shall be signed by its presiding officer.

17.

Publication of reports and awards.

17. Publication  of reports  and awards.- (1) Every  report of  a Board or Court together with any minute of dissent recorded therewith, every arbitration award and every award of a Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal  shall, within a period of thirty days from the date of its  receipt by  the appropriate  Government, be  published in such manner as the appropriate Government thinks fit.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by  Act 40  of 1951, s. 6, for "of the notice under section

22".

2.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1956,  s. 12,  for ss.  15, 16,  17 and  17A (w.e.f. 10-3-1957). S. 17A was ins. by Act 48 of 1950, s. 34 and

Sch.

3.   Subs. by Act 46 of 1982, s. 10 (w.e.f. 21-8-1984)

166

(2) Subject to the provisions of section 17A, the award published under sub-section  (1) shall  be final  and shall  not  be  called  in question by any Court in any manner whatsoever.

17A.

23

Commencement of the award.

17A. Commencement  of the  award.- (1)  An  award  (including  an arbitration award)  shall become  enforceable on  the expiry of thirty days from the date of its publication under section 17:

Provided that--

(a) if the appropriate Government is of opinion, in any case where the  award has  been given  by a  Labour Court or Tribunal in  relation to an industrial dispute to which it is a party; or

(b) if  the Central  Government is  of opinion,  in any case where the award has been given by a National Tribunal,

that it  will be  inexpedient on  public  grounds  affecting  national economy or  social justice  to give effect to the whole or any part of the award,  the appropriate  Government, or  as the  case may  be, the Central Government  may, by  notification  in  the  Official  Gazette, declare that  the award  shall not become enforceable on the expiry of the said period of thirty days.

(2) Where  any declaration  has been made in relation to an award under the  proviso to  sub-section (1),  the appropriate Government or the Central  Government may,  within ninety  days  from  the  date  of publication of  the award under section 17, make an order rejecting or modifying the  award, and  shall, on  the first available opportunity, lay the award together with a copy of the order before the Legislature of the  State, if  the order  has been  made by a State Government, or before Parliament, if the order has been made by the Central Government.

(3) Where  any award  as rejected  or modified  by an  order made under sub-section  (2) is  laid before  the Legislature  of a State or before Parliament,  such award  shall become enforceable on the expiry of fifteen  days from  the date  on which  it is so laid; and where no order under  sub-section (2)  is made  in pursuance  of a  declaration under the  proviso to sub-section (1), the award shall become enforceable on  the expiry of the period of ninety days referred to in sub-section (2).

(4) Subject  to the provisions of sub-section (1) and sub-section (3) regarding  the enforceability  of an  award, the  award shall come into operation with effect from such date as may be specified therein, but where no date is so specified, it shall come into operation on the

167

date when  the award becomes enforceable under sub-section (1) or sub- section (3), as the case may be.]

17B.

Payment of full wages to workman pending proceedings in higher courts.

8*[17B. Payment  of full  wages to workman pending proceedings in higher courts.-Where in any case, a Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal by  its award  directs reinstatement  of any  workman and the employer prefers any proceedings against such award in a High Court or the Supreme  Court, the  employer shall be liable to pay such workman, during the period of pendency of such proceedings in the High Court or the Supreme  Court, full  wages last  drawn by  him, inclusive  of any maintenance allowance  admissible to him under any rule if the workman had not  been employed  in any establishment during such period and an affidavit by such workman had been filed to that effect in such Court:

Provided that  where it is proved to the satisfaction of the High

Court or the Supreme Court that such workman had been employed and had

24

been receiving  adequate remuneration  during any  such period or part thereof, the  Court shall  order that  no wages shall be payable under this section for such period or part, as the case may be.]

18.

Persons on whom settlements and awards are binding.

18. Persons  on whom settlements and awards are binding.-2*[(1) A settlement arrived  at by  agreement between  the employer and workman otherwise than  in the  course of  conciliation  proceeding  shall  be binding on the parties to the agreement.

(2) 3*[Subject  to the  provisions of sub-section (3), an arbitration award]  which has  become enforceable  shall be binding on the parties to the agreement who referred the dispute to arbitration.]

4*[(3)] A  settlement arrived  at in the course  of conciliation proceedings under  this Act 5*[or an arbitration award in a case where a notification  has been issued under sub-section (3A) of section 10A] or 6*[an  award 7*[of  a Labour  Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal] which has become enforceable] shall be binding on--

(a) all parties to the industrial dispute;

(b) all  other parties summoned to appear in the proceedings as  parties   to  the   dispute,  unless   the   Board,

5*[arbitrator,] 8*[Labour  Court, Tribunal  or National Tribunal], as the case may be, records the opinion that they were so summoned without proper cause;

(c) where a party referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) is an  employer,  his  heirs,  successors  or  assigns  in respect of  the  establishment  to  which  the  dispute relates;

(d) where a party referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) is composed of  workmen, all  persons who were employed in the establishment  or part of the establishment, as the case may  be, to  which the dispute relates on the date of the  dispute and all persons who subsequently become employed in that establishment or part.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.  Ins.  by Act 46 of 1982, s.  11 (w.e.f.  21-8-1984).

2.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 13 (w.e.f. 7-10-1956).

3.   Subs. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 9, for "An arbitration award" (w.e.f.

19-12-1964).

4.   S. 18  renumbered as sub-section (3) of that section by Act 36 of

1956, s. 13 (w.e.f. 7-10-1956).

5.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 9 (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

6.   Subs. by  Act 48  of 1950, s. 34 and Sch., for "an award which is

declared  by  the  appropriate  Government  to  be  binding under sub-section (2) of section 15".

7.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 13 (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

8.   Subs. by s. 13, ibid., for "or Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

168

19.

Period of operation of settlements and awards.

19.  Period  of  operation  of  settlements  and  awards.- (1)  A settlement 1*** shall  come  into  operation on such date as is agreed upon by the parties to  the dispute, and if no date is agreed upon, on the date  on   which the  memorandum of  the settlement  is  signed by the parties to the dispute.

25

(2) Such settlement shall be binding for such period as is agreed upon by  the parties,  and if  no such  period is  agreed upon,  for a period of  six months  2*[from the  date on  which the  memorandum  of settlement is  signed by  the  parties  to  the  dispute],  and  shall continue to  be binding  on the parties after the expiry of the period aforesaid, until  the expiry  of two  months from  the date on which a notice in writing of an intention to terminate the settlement is given by one of the parties to the other party or parties to the settlement.

3*[(3) An award shall, subject to the provisions of this section, remain in operation for a period of one year 4*[from the date on which the award becomes enforceable under section 17A]:

Provided that  the appropriate  Government may  reduce  the  said period and fix such period as it thinks fit:

Provided further  that the appropriate Government may, before the expiry of  the said  period, extend  the period  of operation  by  any period not  exceeding one year at a time as it thinks fit so, however, that the  total period of operation of any award does not exceed three years from the date on which it came into operation.

(4) Where  the appropriate  Government, whether of its own motion or on  the application of any party bound by the award, considers that since the  award was  made, there  has been  a material  change in the circumstances on  which it  was based,  the appropriate Government may refer the award or a part of it 5*[to a Labour Court, if the award was that of  a Labour  Court or  to a Tribunal, if the award was that of a Tribunal or of a National Tribunal] for decision whether the period of operation should  not, by  reason of such change, be shortened and the decision of  6*[Labour Court  or the  Tribunal, as the case may be] on such reference shall, 7*** be final.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   The words  "arrived at in the course of a conciliation proceeding under this  Act"  omitted  by Act  36  of  1956,  s.  14  (w.e.f.

7-10-1956).

2.   Ins. by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 7-10-1956).

3.   Subs. by Act 48 of 1950, s. 34 and Sch., for sub-section (3).

4.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 14 (w.e.f. 17-9-1956).

5.   Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for "to a Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

6.   Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for "the Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

7.   The words "subject to the provision for appeal" omitted by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

169

(5) Nothing contained in sub-section (3) shall apply to any award which by  its nature,  terms or  other circumstances  does not impose, after it  has been  given effect  to, any continuing obligation on the parties bound by the award.

(6) Notwithstanding  the expiry  of the period of operation under sub-section (3), the award shall continue to be binding on the parties until a period of two months has elapsed from the date on which notice is given by any party bound by the award to the other party or parties intimating its intention to terminate the award.

1*[(7) No  notice given  under sub-section (2) or sub-section (6) shall have  effect, unless  it is  given by  a party  representing the majority of  persons bound by the settlement or award, as the case may be.]]

20.

Commencement and conclusion of proceedings.

20. Commencement  and conclusion of  proceedings.- (1)  A conciliation proceeding  shall be deemed to have commenced on the date on which  a notice  of strike or lock-out under section 22 is received by the  conciliation officer or on the date of the order referring the

26

dispute to a Board, as the case may be.

(2) A conciliation proceeding shall be deemed to have concluded-- (a) where  a settlement  is arrived at, when a memorandum of

the settlement is signed by the parties to the dispute;

(b) where  no settlement  is arrived  at, when the report of the conciliation officer is received by the appropriate Government or when the report of the Board is published under section 17, as the case may be; or

(c) when  a reference  is made  to a Court, 2*[Labour Court, Tribunal or  National Tribunal] under section 10 during the pendency of conciliation proceedings.

(3) Proceedings  3*[before an  arbitrator under  section  10A  or before a  Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal] shall be deemed to have  commenced on  the date of the 4*[reference of the dispute for arbitration or  adjudication, as the case may be] and such proceedings shall be  deemed to  have concluded  5*[on the date on which the award becomes enforceable under section 17A].

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Ins. by  Act 36  of 1964,  s. 10  (w.e.f. 19-12-1964). The former

sub-section  (7)   was omitted by Act  36 of  1956, s. 14 (w.e.f.

17-9- 1956).

2.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1956, s. 15, for "or Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-

1957).

3.   Subs. by  s. 15,  ibid., for  "before a  Tribunal" (w.e.f.  10-3-

1957).

4.   Subs.  by   s.  15,  ibid.,  for  "reference  of  a  dispute  for adjudication" (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

5.   Subs. by Act 18 of 1952, s. 4, for certain words and figures.

170

21.

Certain matters to be kept confidential.

21. Certain  matters to be kept confidential.- There shall not be included in  any report  or  award  under  this  Act  any  information obtained by  a conciliation  officer, Board,  Court, 1*[Labour  Court, Tribunal, National  Tribunal or  an arbitrator]  in the  course of any investigation or  inquiry as  to a trade union or as to any individual business (whether  carried on  by a  person, firm or company) which is not available  otherwise than  through the  evidence given before such officer, Board, Court, 1*[Labour Court, Tribunal, National Tribunal or arbitrator], if  the trade union, person, firm or company, in question has made  a request  in writing  to the  conciliation officer,  Board, Court, 1*[Labour Court, Tribunal, National Tribunal or arbitrator], as the case  may be,  that such information shall be treated as confidential; nor  shall such  conciliation officer  or any individual member of  the Board,  2*[or Court  or the  presiding officer  of  the Labour Court,  Tribunal or National Tribunal or the arbitrator] or any person present  at or  concerned in  the proceedings disclose any such information without  the consent  in writing  of the  secretary of the trade union  or the  person, firm  or company in question, as the case may be:

Provided that  nothing contained in this section shall apply to a disclosure of  any such  information for the purposes of a prosecution under section 193 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).

CHAPTER V STRIKES AND LOCK-OUTS

27

22.

Prohibition of strikes and lock-outs.

22. Prohibition of strikes and lock-outs.- (1) No person employed in a public utility service shall go on strike in breach of contract--

(a) without  giving to  the employer  notice of  strike,  as herein-after  provided,   within   six   weeks   before striking; or

(b) within fourteen days of giving such notice; or

(c) before the expiry of the date of strike specified in any such notice as aforesaid; or

(d) during  the pendency  of  any  conciliation  proceedings before a  conciliation officer and seven days after the conclusion of such proceedings.

(2) No  employer carrying  on any  public utility  service  shall lock-out any of his workmen--

(a) without  giving them  notice of  lock-out as hereinafter provided, within six weeks before locking out; or

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1956, s. 16, for "or Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-

1957).

2.   Subs. by  s. 16,  ibid., for  "Court or  Tribunal" (w.e.f.  10-3-

1957).

171

(b) within fourteen days of giving such notice; or

(c) before  the expiry  of the date of lock-out specified in any such notice as aforesaid; or

(d) during  the pendency  of  any  conciliation  proceedings before a  conciliation officer and seven days after the conclusion of such proceedings.

(3) The notice of lock-out or strike under this section shall not be necessary  where there  is already in existence a strike or, as the case may  be, lock-out in the public utility service, but the employer shall send  intimation of  such lock-out or strike on the day on which it is  declared,  to  such  authority  as  may  be  specified  by  the appropriate Government  either generally  or for  a particular area or for a particular class of public utility services.

(4) The  notice of strike referred to in sub-section (1) shall be given by  such number of persons to such person or persons and in such manner as may be prescribed.

(5) The  notice of  lock-out referred to in sub-section (2) shall be given in such manner as may be prescribed.

(6) If  on any day an employer receives from any persons employed by him any such notices as are referred to in sub-section (1) or gives to any  persons employed by him any such notices as are referred to in sub-section (2),  he shall  within five  days thereof  report  to  the appropriate Government  or to  such authority  as that  Government may prescribe the number of such notices received or given on that day.

23.

General prohibition of strikes and lock-outs.

23. General prohibition of strikes and lock-outs.- No workman who

28

is employed  in any  industrial establishment  shall go  on strike  in breach of contract and no employer of any such workman shall declare a lock-out--

(a) during the pendency of conciliation proceedings before a Board and  seven days  after  the  conclusion  of  such proceedings;

(b) during  the pendency  of proceedings  before 1*[a Labour Court, Tribunal  or National  Tribunal] and  two months after the conclusion of such proceedings; 2***

3*[(bb)  during  the  pendency  of  arbitration  proceedings before  an   arbitrator  and   two  months   after  the conclusion of  such proceedings,  where a  notification has been  issued under sub-section (3A) of section 10A; or]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1956,  s. 17, for "a Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-

1957).

2.   The word  "or" omitted  by Act  36 of  1964, s. 11 (w.e.f. 19-12-

1964).

3.   Ins. by s. 11, ibid. (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

172

(c) during  any period  in which a settlement or award is in operation, in  respect of any of the matters covered by the settlement or award.

24.

Illegal strikes and lock-outs.

24. Illegal  strikes and  lock-outs.- (1) A strike  or a lock-out shall be illegal if--

(i) it  is commenced or declared in contravention of section

22 or section 23; or

(ii) it is continued in contravention of an order made under sub-section (3) of section 10 1*[or sub-section (4A) of section 10A].

(2) Where  a strike  or lock-out  in pursuance  of an  industrial dispute has  already commenced  and is in existence at the time of the reference of  the dispute  to a  Board, 1*[an arbitrator, a] 2*[Labour Court, Tribunal  or National Tribunal], the continuance of such strike or lock-out  shall not  be deemed  to be  illegal, provided  that such strike or lock-out was not at its commencement in contravention of the provisions of  this Act  or the continuance thereof was not prohibited under sub-section  (3) of section 10 1*[or sub-section (4A) of section

10A].

(3) A  lock-out declared in consequence of an illegal strike or a strike declared  in consequence  of an  illegal lock-out  shall not be deemed to be illegal.

25.

Prohibition of financial aid to illegal strikes and lock-outs.

25. Prohibition  of financial  aid to illegal strikes  and lock- outs.- No person shall  knowingly expend  or apply any money in direct furtherance of support of any illegal strike or lock-out.

29

3*[CHAPTER VA

LAY-OFF AND RETRENCHMENT

25A.

Application of sections 25C to 25E.

25A. Application  of sections 25C to 25E.-(1) Sections 25C to 25E inclusive 4*[shall  not apply  to industrial  establishments to  which Chapter VB applies, or--]

(a) to  industrial establishments  in which  less than fifty workmen  on  an  average  per  working  day  have  been employed in the preceding calendar month; or

(b) to  industrial establishments  which are  of a  seasonal character or  in which  work is  performed  only intermittently.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 12 (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

2.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1956, s. 18, for "or Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-

1957).

3.   Ins. by Act 43 of 1953, s. 3 (w.e.f. 24-10-1953).

4.   Subs. by Act 32 of 1976, s. 2,  for  "shall not apply--"  (w.e.f.

5-3-1976).

173

(2) If  a question  arises whether an industrial establishment is of a  seasonal character  or whether  work is  performed therein  only intermittently, the  decision of  the appropriate  Government  thereon shall be final.

1*[Explanation.--In this  section and  in sections  25C, 25D  and

25E, "industrial establishment" means--

(i) a  factory as  defined in clause (m) of section 2 of the

Factories Act 1948 (63 of 1948); or

(ii) a  mine as  defined in  clause (j)  of section 2 of the

Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952); or

(iii) a  plantation as defined in clause (f) of section 2 of the Plantations Labour Act, 1951 (69 of 1951).]

25B.

Definition of continuous service.

2*[25B. Definition  of continuous  service.- For the purposes  of this Chapter,--

(1) a  workman shall be said to be in continuous service for a period  if he  is, for  that period, in uninterrupted service, including  service which may be interrupted on account of  sickness or authorised leave or an accident or a  strike which  is not  illegal, or a lock-out or a cessation of  work which is not due to any fault on the part of the workman;

(2) where  a workman is not in continuous service within the meaning of  clause (1)  for a period of one year or six months, he  shall be deemed to be in continuous service under an employer--

(a) for a period of one year, if the workman, during  a   period  of   twelve  calendar   months

30

preceding the  date with  reference to which calculation is  to be  made, has  actually  worked under the employer for not less than--

(i) one  hundred and  ninety days in the case of a workman employed below ground in a mine; and

(ii) two hundred and forty days, in any other case;

(b) for  a  period  of  six  months, if  the workman, during  a period  of six  calendar months preceding the  date with  reference to which calculation is  to be  made, has  actually  worked under the employer for not less than--

(i)  ninety-five  days,  in  the  case  of  a workman employed below ground in a mine; and

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by Act 48 of 1954, s. 2, for the former Explanation (w.e.f.

1-4-1954).

2.   Subs. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 13, for s. 25B (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

174

(ii) one  hundred and  twenty  days, in  any other case.

Explanation.--For the  purposes of clause (2), the number of days on which a workman has actually worked under an employer shall include the days on which--

(i) he  has been laid-off under an agreement or as permitted by standing orders made under the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders)  Act, 1946  (20 of  1946),  or  under this Act  or under  any other  law  applicable  to  the industrial establishment;

(ii) he  has been  on leave  with full  wages, earned in the previous years;

(iii) he has been absent due to temporary disablement caused by accident  arising out  of and  in the  course of his employment; and

(iv) in  the case  of a  female, she  has been  on maternity leave; so,  however, that  the  total  period  of  such maternity leave does not exceed twelve weeks.]

25C.

Right of workmen laid-off for compensation.

1*[25C. Right of workmen  laid-off for  compensation.- Whenever a workman (other than a badli workman or a casual workman) whose name is borne on  the muster  rolls of an industrial establishment and who has completed not  less than  one year  of  continuous  service  under  an employer is laid-off, whether continuously or intermittently, he shall be paid  by the  employer for all days during which he is so laid-off, except for  such weekly  holidays as may intervene, compensation which shall be  equal to fifty per cent. of the total of the basic wages and dearness allowance that would have been payable to him had he not been so laid-off:

Provided that if during any period of twelve months, a workman is so laid-off  for more than forty-five days, no such compensation shall be payable in respect of any period of the lay-off after the expiry of the first  forty-five days,  if there  is an  agreement to that effect between the workman and the employer:

Provided further  that it shall be lawful for the employer in any

31

case falling  within the  foregoing proviso to retrench the workman in accordance with  the provisions  contained in  section 25F at any time after the  expiry of the first forty-five days of the lay-off and when he does so, any compensation paid to the workman for having been laid- off during  the preceding  twelve months  may be  set off  against the compensation payable for retrenchment.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by  Act 35 of 1965, s. 5, for the former section (w.e.f. 1-

12-1965).

175

Explanation.--"Badli workman"  means a workman who is employed in an industrial establishment in the place of another workman whose name is borne  on the muster rolls of the establishment, but shall cease to be regarded  as such  for the  purposes of  this section,  if  he  has completed one year of continuous service in the establishment.]

25D.

Duty of an employer to maintain muster rolls of workmen.

25D. Duty  of an  employer to  maintain muster  rolls of workmen. Notwithstanding that workmen in any industrial establishment have been laid-off, it  shall be  the duty of every employer to maintain for the purposes of  this Chapter  a muster roll and to provide for the making of entries  therein by  workmen who may present themselves for work at the establishment at the appointed time during normal working hours.

25E.

Workmen not entitled to compensation in certain cases.

25E. Workmen  not entitled  to compensation in certain cases.- No compensation shall be paid to a workman who has been laid-off--

(i) if  he refuses  to accept  any alternative employment in the same establishment from which he has been laid-off, or in  any other  establishment belonging  to the  same employer situate in the same town or village or situate within a radius of five miles from the establishment to which he  belongs, if,  in the opinion of the employer, such alternative  employment  does  not  call  for  any special kill  or previous experience and can be done by the workman, provided that the wages which would normally have  been paid to the workman are offered for the alternative employment also;

(ii) if  he  does  not  present  himself  for  work  at  the establishment at the appointed time during normal working hours at least once a day;

(iii) if  such laying-off is due to a strike or slowing-down of production on the part of workmen in another part of the establishment.

25F.

Conditions precedent to retrenchment of workmen.

25F. Conditions precedent to retrenchment of workmen.- No workman employed in  any industry  who has  been in continuous service for not less than  one year  under an  employer shall  be retrenched  by  that employer until--

(a) the workman has been given one month's notice in writing indicating the  reasons for retrenchment and the period

32

of notice  has expired, or the workman has been paid in lieu of  such notice,  wages  for  the  period  of  the notice:

176

1*            *               *                 *              *

(b) the  workman has been paid, at the time of retrenchment, compensation which shall be equivalent to fifteen days' average pay  2*[for every  completed year of continuous service] or  any part  thereof in excess of six months; and

(c) notice  in  the  prescribed  manner  is  served  on  the appropriate Government  3*[or such  authority as may be specified by the appropriate Government by notification in the Official Gazette].

25FF

Compensation to workmen in case of transfer of undertakings.

4*[25FF. Compensation  to workmen in case of transfer of undertakings.- Where the ownership  or management of an undertaking is transferred, whether  by agreement  or by  operation of  law, from the employer in  relation to  that undertaking  to a  new employer,  every workman who  has been in continuous service for not less than one year in that undertaking immediately before such transfer shall be entitled to notice  and compensation  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of section 25F, as if the workman had been retrenched:

Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to a workman in any case  where there  has been a change of employers by reason of the transfer, if--

(a) the  service of  the workman has not been interrupted by such transfer;

(b) the  terms and  conditions of  service applicable to the workman after  such transfer  are not  in any  way less favourable to  the workman than those applicable to him immediately before the transfer; and

(c) the new employer is, under the terms of such transfer or otherwise, legally liable to pay to the workman, in the event of  his retrenchment,  compensation on  the basis that his  service has  been continuous and has not been interrupted by the transfer.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.  Omitted by Act 49 of 1984, s.  3 (w.e.f.  18-8-1984).

2.   Subs. by  Act 36 of 1964, s. 14, for "for every completed year of service" (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

3.   Ins. by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

4.   Subs. by Act 18 of 1957, s. 3, for the former section (w.e.f. 28-

11-1956). S. 25FF was ins. by Act 41 of 1956, s. 3.

176A

25FF

Sixty days'  notice to  be  given  of  intention  to  close  down anyundertaking.

1*[25FFA. Sixty  days' notice  to be given of intention to close down any undertaking.- (1)  An employer  who intends  to close down an undertaking shall  serve, at least sixty days before the date on which the intended  closure  is  to  become  effective,  a  notice,  in  the prescribed manner,  on the  appropriate Government stating clearly the

33

reasons for the intended closure of the undertaking: Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to--

(a) an undertaking in which--

(i) less than fifty workmen are employed, or

(ii) less  than fifty  workmen were employed on an average per working day in the preceding twelve months,

(b) an undertaking set up for the construction of buildings, bridges, roads,  canals, dams or for other construction work or project.

(2) Notwithstanding  anything contained  in sub-section  (1), the appropriate Government  may, if  it is  satisfied that  owing to  such exceptional circumstances  as accident  in the undertaking or death of the employer  or the  like it  is necessary so to do, by order, direct that provisions of sub-section (1) shall not apply in relation to such undertaking for such period as may be specified in the order.]

25FF

Compensation to workmen in case of closing down of undertakings.

25FFF. Compensation  to  workmen  in case  of  closing  down  of undertakings.- (1) Where an  undertaking is closed down for any reason whatsoever,   every  workman  who  has  been in continuous service for

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1.   Ins. by Act 32 of 1972, s. 2 (w.e.f. 14-6-1972).

177

not less  than one  year in  that undertaking  immediately before such closure shall,  subject to  the  provisions  of  sub-section  (2),  be entitled to  notice and compensation in accordance with the provisions of section 25F, as if the workman had been retrenched:

Provided that  where the undertaking is closed down on account of unavoidable circumstances  beyond the  control of  the  employer,  the compensation to be paid to the workman under clause (b) of section 25F shall not exceed his average pay for three months.

1*[Explanation.--An undertaking  which is  closed down  by reason merely of--

(i) financial difficulties (including financial losses); or

(ii) accumulation of undisposed of stocks; or

(iii) the  expiry of  the period  of the  lease  or  licence granted to it; or

(iv) in  a case  where the  undertaking is engaged in mining operations, exhaustion  of the  minerals in the area in which such operations are carried on;

shall not  be deemed  to be  closed down  on  account  of  unavoidable circumstances beyond the control of the employer within the meaning of the proviso to this sub-section.]

2*[(1A) Notwithstanding  anything contained  in sub-section  (1), where an  undertaking engaged  in mining  operations is closed down by reason merely  of exhaustion of the minerals in the area in which such operations are  carried on, no workman referred to in that sub-section shall be entitled to any notice or compensation in accordance with the provisions of section 25F, if--

(a) the  employer  provides  the  workman  with  alternative employment with  effect from the date of closure at the

34

same remuneration as he was entitled to receive, and on the same  terms  and  conditions  of  service  as  were applicable to him, immediately before the closure;

(b) the  service of  the workman has not been interrupted by such alternative employment; and

(c) the  employer is,  under the  terms of  such alternative employment or  otherwise, legally  liable to pay to the workman, in the event of his retrenchment, compensation on the  basis that  his service has been continuous and has  not   been   interrupted   by   such   alternative employment.

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1.   Subs. by  Act 45  of 1971,  s. 4,  for the  original  Explanation

(w.e.f. 15-12-1971).

2.   Ins. by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-12-1971).

178

(1B) For  the purposes of sub-sections (1) and (1A), the expressions "minerals" and "mining operations" shall have the meanings respectively assigned  to them  in clauses (a) and (d) of section 3 of the Mines  and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957  (67 of

1957).]

(2)  Where   any  undertaking  set-up for  the  construction  of buildings, bridges,  roads, canals, dams or other construction work is closed down  on account of the completion of the work within two years from the  date on  which the  undertaking had  been set-up, no workman employed therein  shall be  entitled to  any compensation under clause (b) of  section 25F,  but if the construction work is not so completed within two  years, he  shall be  entitled to  notice and  compensation under that  section for every 1*[completed year of continuous service] or any part thereof in excess of six months.]

25G.

Procedure for retrenchment.

25G.  Procedure   for  retrenchment.- Where  any  workman  in  an industrial establishment,  who  is  a  citizen  of  India,  is  to  be retrenched and  he belongs to a particular category of workmen in that establishment, in  the absence  of any  agreement between the employer and the workman in this behalf, the employer shall ordinarily retrench the workman  who was  the last person to be employed in that category, unless for  reasons to  be recorded  the employer retrenches any other workman.

25H.

Re-employment of retrenched workmen.

25H. Re-employment of retrenched  workmen.- Where any workmen are retrenched, and  the employer  proposes to  take into  his employ  any persons, he  shall, in  such manner  as may  be  prescribed,  give  an opportunity 2*[to  the retrenched workmen who are citizens of India to offer themselves  for re-employment  and such  retrenched workman] who offer themselves  for re-employment  shall have  preference over other persons.

25I. [Repealed.]

251. [Recovery of moneys due from employres under this chapter.]-

35

Rep.  by   the  Industrial   Disputes  (Amendment   and  Miscellaneous

Provisions) Act, 1956 (36 of 1956), s. 19 (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

25J.

Effect of laws inconsistent with this Chapter.

25J. Effect  of laws  inconsistent with this  Chapter.-  (1)  The provisions of  this Chapter shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith  contained in any other law [including standing orders made  under the  Industrial Employment  (Standing Orders)  Act,

1946 (20 of 1946)]:

3*[Provided that  where under  the provisions of any other Act or rules, orders or notifications issued thereunder or under any standing orders or

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by  Act 36, of 1964, s. 15, for "completed year of service" (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

2.   Subs. by s. 16, ibid. for certain words (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

3.   Subs. by s. 17, ibid., for the proviso (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

178A

under any  award, contract  of service  or  otherwise,  a  workman  is entitled  to  benefits  in  respect  of  any  matter  which  are  more favourable to  him than those to which he would be entitled under this Act, the  workman shall continue to be entitled to the more favourable benefits in  respect of  that matter, notwithstanding that he receives benefits in respect of other matters under this Act.]

(2) For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that nothing contained in  this Chapter shall be deemed to affect the provisions of any other  law for  the time  being in force in any State in so far as that law  provides for  the settlement of industrial disputes, but the rights and  liabilities of  employers and  workmen in  so far  as they relate to  lay-off and  retrenchment shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.]

1*[CHAPTER VB

SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO LAY-OFF, RETRENCHMENT AND CLOSURE IN CERTAIN ESTABLISHMENTS

25K.

Application of Chapter VB.

25K. Application  of Chapter VB.-  (1)  The  provisions  of  this Chapter shall  apply to  an industrial  establishment  (not  being  an establishment of  a seasonal  character or  in which work is performed only intermittently)  in which  not less  than 2*[one hundred] workmen were employed  on an  average per working day for the preceding twelve months.

(2) If  a question  arises whether an industrial establishment is of a  seasonal character  or whether  work is  performed therein  only intermittently, the  decision of  the appropriate  Government  thereon shall be final.

25L. Definitions.

36

25L. Definitions.- For the purposes of this Chapter,-- (a) "industrial establishment" means--

(i) a  factory as  defined in  clause (m)  of

section 2  of the  Factories  Act,  1948   (63  of

1948);

(ii) a  mine as defined in clause (i) of sub- section (1)  of section  2 of the Mines Act,  1952 (35 of 1952); or

(iii) a  plantation as  defined in clause (f) of section  2 of the Plantations Labour Act,  1951 (69 of 1951);

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1.  Ins. by Act 32  of 1976, s. 3 (w.e.f. 5-3-1976).

2.  Subs. by Act 46 of 1982, s. 12 (w.e.f. 21.8.1984).

178B

(b) notwithstanding anything contained in sub-clause (ii) of clause (a) of section 2,--

(i) in  relation to  any company in which not less than fifty-one per cent. of the paid-up share capital is held by the Central Government, or

(ii) in  relation  to  any  corporation  [not being a  corporation referred to in sub-clause (i) of clause  (a) of  section 2]  established  by  or under any law made by Parliament,

the Central Government shall be appropriate Government.

25M.

Prohibition of lay-off.

25M. Prohibition  of lay-off.- (1) No workman (other than a badli workman or  a casual  workman) whose name is borne on the muster rolls of an  industrial establishment to which this Chapter applies shall be laid-off by  his employer  except 1*[with  the prior permission of the appropriate Government  or such  authority as may be specified by that Government by  notification in  the Official  Gazette (hereinafter  in this section  referred to  as the specified authority), obtained on an application made  in this  behalf,  unless  such  lay-off  is  due  to shortage of  power or  to natural calamity, and in the case of a mine, such lay-off  is due also to fire, flood, excess of inflammable gas or explosion].

1*[(2) An application for permission under sub-section (1) shall be made  by the  employer in the prescribed manner stating clearly the reasons for  the intended lay-off and a copy of such application shall also  be  served  simultaneously  on  the  workmen  concerned  in  the prescribed manner.

(3) Where  the  workman  (other  than badli  workmen  or  casual workmen) of an industrial establishment, being a mine, have been laid- off under  sub-section (1)  for reasons  of fire,  flood or  excess of inflammable gas  or explosion,  the  employer,  in  relation  to  such establishment, shall,  within a period of thirty days from the date of commencement of  such lay-off, apply, in the prescribed manner, to the appropriate Government  or the  specified authority  for permission to continue the lay-off.

(4) Where  an application for permission under sub-section (1) or sub-section (3)  has been  made, the  appropriate  Government  or  the specified authority,  after making  such enquiry  as it thinks fit and after giving  a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the employer, the workmen concerned and the persons interested in such lay-off, may,

37

having regard  to the genuineness and adequacy of the reasons for such lay-off, the  interests of the workmen and all other relevant factors, by order and for reasons to be recorded in writing, grant or refuse to grant such  permission and  a copy of such order shall be communicated to the employer and the workmen.

(5) Where  an application for permission under sub-section (1) or sub-section (3)  has been  made and  the appropriate Government or the specified  authority  does  not  communicate  the  order  granting  or refusing to  grant permission to the employer within a period of sixty days from  the date  on which such application is made, the permission applied for  shall be deemed to have been granted on the expiration of the said period of sixty days.

(6) An  order of  the appropriate  Government  or  the  specified authority granting  or refusing  to grant permission shall, subject to the provisions  of sub-section  (7), be  final and  binding on all the parties concerned  and shall   remain  in force  for one year from the date of such order.

(7) The  appropriate Government  or the  specified authority may, either on its own motion or on the application made by the employer or any workman, review its order granting or refusing to grant permission under sub-section  (4) or  refer the  matter or,  as the  case may be, cause it to be referred, to a Tribunal for adjudication:

Provided that where a reference has been made to a Tribunal under this sub-section,  it shall  pass an  award within  a period of thirty days from the date of such reference.

(8) Where  no application for permission under sub-section (1) is made, or  where no application for permission under sub-section (3) is made within  the period specified therein, or where the permission for any lay-off  has been  refused, such  lay-off shall  be deemed  to  be illegal from  the date  on which the workmen had been laid-off and the workmen shall  be entitled  to all  the benefits under any law for the time being in force as if they had not been laid-off.

(9)  Notwithstanding   anything  contained   in   the   foregoing provisions of  this section,  the appropriate Government may, if it is satisfied that  owing to such exceptional circumstances as accident in the establishment  or death  of  the  employer  or  the  like,  it  is necessary so  to do,  by order,  direct that  the provisions  of  sub- section (1),  or, as  the case may be, sub-section (3) shall not apply in relation  to such establishment for such period as may be specified in the order.]

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1.   Subs. by Act 49 of 1984, s. 4 (w.e.f. 18.8.1984).

178C

1*[(10)] The  provisions of  section 25C  (other than  the second proviso thereto)  shall apply  to cases of lay-off referred to in this section.

Explanation.--For the  purposes of  this section, a workman shall not be  deemed to  be laid-off  by an employer if such employer offers any alternative  employment (which in the opinion of the employer does not call for any special skill or previous experience and can be  done by the workman) in the same  establishment  from  which  he  has  been laid-off or in any other establishment belonging to the same employer, situate  in  the same town or village, or situate within such distance from the establishment to which he belongs that the transfer will  not involve  undue  hardship to the workman having regard to the facts and circumstances of  his  case,  provided  that  the  wages  which  would normally have been paid to the workman are offered for the alternative appointment also.

25N.

Conditions precedent to retrenchment of workmen.

38

2*[25N.  Conditions  precedent to retrenchment of workmen.-(1) No workman employed in any industrial establishment to which this Chapter applies, who has been in continuous service for not less than one year under an employer shall be retrenched by that employer until,--

(a) the  workman has  been given  three  months'  notice  in writing indicating the reasons for retrenchment and the period of  notice has  expired, or the workman has been paid in  lieu of  such notice,  wages for the period of the notice; and

(b) the  prior permission  of  the appropriate Government or such authority  as may  be specified by that Government by notification  in the  Official Gazette (hereafter in this section  referred to  as the  specified authority) has been  obtained  on  an  application  made  in  this behalf.

(2) An  application for permission under sub-section (1) shall be made by  the employer  in the  prescribed manner  stating clearly  the reasons for  the intended  retrenchment and a copy of such application shall also  be served  simultaneously on  the workmen concerned in the prescribed manner.

(3) Where an application for permission under sub-section (1) has been made,  the appropriate  Government or  the  specified  authority, after making  such enquiry  as  it  thinks  fit  and  after  giving  a reasonable opportunity  of being  heard to  the employer,  the workmen concerned and the persons interested in such retrenchment, may, having regard to  the genuineness  and adequacy  of the reasons stated by the employer, the interests of the workmen and all other relevant factors, by order and for reasons to be recorded in writing, grant or refuse to grant such  permission and  a copy of such order shall be communicated to the employer and the workmen.

(4) Where  an application for permission has been made under sub- section (1)  and the appropriate Government or the specified authority does  not   communicate  the  order  granting  or  refusing  to  grant permission to the employer within a period of sixty days from the date on which such application is made, the permission applied for shall be deemed to  have been  granted on  the expiration of the said period of sixty days.

(5) An  order of  the appropriate  Government  or  the  specified authority granting  or refusing  to grant permission shall, subject to the provisions  of sub-section  (6), be  final and  binding on all the parties concerned and shall remain in force for one year from the date of such order.

(6) The  appropriate Government  or the  specified authority may, either on its own motion or on the application made by the employer or any workman, review its order granting or refusing to grant permission under sub-section  (3) or  refer the  matter or,  as the  case may be, cause it to be referred, to a Tribunal for adjudication:

Provided that where a reference has been made to a Tribunal under this sub-section,  it shall  pass an  award within  a period of thirty days from the date of such reference.

(7) Where  no application for permission under sub-section (1) is made, or  where the  permission for any retrenchment has been refused, such retrenchment shall be deemed to be illegal from the date on which the notice  of retrenchment  was given  to the workman and the workman shall be entitled to all the benefits under any law for the time being in force as if no notice had been given to him.

(8)  Notwithstanding   anything  contained   in   the   foregoing provisions of  this section,  the appropriate Government may, if it is satisfied that  owing to such exceptional circumstances as accident in the establishment  or death  of  the  employer  or  the  like,  it  is necessary so  to do,  by order,  direct that  the provisions  of  sub- section (1) shall not apply in relation to such establishment for such

39

period as may be specified in the order.

(9) Where permission for retrenchment has been granted under sub- section (3)  or where  permission for  retrenchment is  deemed  to  be granted under  sub-section (4),  every workman who is employed in that establishment  immediately   before  the   date  of   application  for permission under  this section  shall be  entitled to  receive, at the time of  retrenchment,  compensation  which  shall  be  equivalent  to fifteen days'  average pay  for every  completed  year  of  continuous service or any part thereof in excess of six months.]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Re-numbered by Act 49 of 1984, s. 4 (w.e.f. 18.8.1984).

2.   Subs. by s. 5, ibid., (w.e.f. 18.8.1984).

178E

25O.

Procedure for closing down an undertaking.

1*[25-O. Procedure  for  closing down an  undertaking.-  (1)  An employer who  intends to  close down  an undertaking  of an industrial establishment to  which this  Chapter applies shall, in the prescribed manner, apply,  for prior  permission at  least ninety days before the date on  which the  intended closure  is to  become effective,  to the appropriate Government,  stating clearly  the reasons for the intended closure of  the undertaking  and a copy of such application shall also be served  simultaneously on the representatives of the workmen in the prescribed manner:

Provided that  nothing in  this sub-section  shall  apply  to  an undertaking set  up for the construction of buildings, bridges, roads, canals, dams or for other construction work.

(2) Where  an application for permission has been made under sub- section (1),  the appropriate Government, after making such enquiry as it thinks fit and after giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the  employer, the  workmen and  the  persons  interested  in  such closure may,  having regard  to the  genuineness and  adequacy of  the reasons stated  by the  employer, the  interests of the general public and all  other relevant  factors, by  order  and  for  reasons  to  be recorded in  writing, grant  or refused to grant such permission and a copy of  such order  shall be  communicated to  the employer  and  the workman.

(3) Where  an application has been made under sub-section (1) and the appropriate  Government does not communicate the order granting or refusing to  grant permission to the employer within a period of sixty days from  the date  on which such application is made, the permission applied for  shall be deemed to have been granted on the expiration of the said period of sixty days.

(4) An  order of  the appropriate Government granting or refusing to grant  permission shall,  subject to  the provisions of sub-section (5), be final and binding on all the parties and shall remain in force for one year from the date of such order.

(5) The  appropriate Government  may, either on its own motion or on the  application made  by the  employer or  any workman, review its order granting  or refusing  to grant permission under sub-section (2) or refer the matter to a Tribunal for adjudication:

Provided that where a reference has been made to a Tribunal under this sub-section,  it shall  pass an  award within  a period of thirty days from the date of such reference.

(6) Where  no application for permission under sub-section (1) is made within  the period specified therein, or where the permission for closure has  been refused,  the closure  of the  undertaking shall  be deemed to be illegal from the date of closure and the workmen shall be entitled to all the benefits under any law for the time being in force

40

as if the undertaking had not been closed down.

(7)  Notwithstanding   anything  contained   in   the   foregoing provisions of  this section,  the appropriate Government may, if it is satisfied that  owing to such exceptional circumstances as accident in the undertaking  or death  of the employer or the like it is necessary so to  do, by  order, direct  that the  provisions of  sub-section (1) shall not apply in relation to such undertaking for such period as may be specified in the order.

(8) Where  an undertaking  is permitted  to be  closed down under sub-section (2)  or where  permission for  closure  is  deemed  to  be granted under  sub-section (3),  every workman who is employed in that undertaking immediately  before the date of application for permission under this  section, shall  be entitled  to receive compensation which shall be  equivalent to  fifteen days' average pay for every completed year of  continuous service  or any  part thereof  in  excess  of  six months.]

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1.   Subs. by Act 46 of 1982, s. 14 (w.e.f. 21.8.1984).

178F

25P.

Special provision  as to restarting of undertakings closed down beforecommencement of the Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act, 1976.

25P. Special  provision as  to restarting  of undertakings closed down before  commencement of  the Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act,

1976.- If the appropriate  Government is  of opinion in respect of any undertaking of  an industrial  establishment  to  which  this  Chapter applies  and   which  closed  down  before  the  commencement  of  the Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act, 1976 (32 of 1976),--

(a) that  such undertaking was closed down otherwise than on account of unavoidable circumstances beyond the control of the employer;

(b) that  there are  possibilities of  restarting the undertaking;

(c) that  it is  necessary for  the  rehabilitation  of  the workmen employed in such undertaking before its closure or for  the maintenance of supplies and services essential to  the life  of the community to restart the undertaking or both; and

(d) that  the restarting  of the undertaking will not result in hardship  to the employer in relation to the undertaking,

it may,  after giving  an opportunity  to such  employer and  workmen, direct, by  order published in the Official Gazette, that the undertaking shall  be restarted  within such time (not being less than one month  from the  date of  the order)  as may  be specified  in the order.

178G

25Q.

Penalty for lay-off and retrenchment without previous permission.

25Q. Penalty for lay-off and retrenchment without previous permission.-Any employer who contravenes the provisions of section 25M or 1***   of section  25N shall  be punishable with imprisonment for a term which  may extend  to one month, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

41

25R.

Penalty for closure.

25R. Penalty  for closure.- (1) Any  employer who  closes down an undertaking without  complying with  the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 25-O shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend  to six  months, or  with fine  which may  extend  to  five thousand rupees, or with both.

(2) Any  employer, who contravenes 2*[an  order refusing to grant permission to  close down  an undertaking  under  sub-section  (2)  of section 25-O  or a  direction given  under  section  25P],   shall  be punishable with  imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with  fine which  may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both, and where  the contravention  is a continuing one, with a further fine which may extend to two thousand rupees for every day during which the contravention continues after the conviction.

3*              *                  *             *               *

25S.

Certain  provisions   of  Chapter   VA  to   apply  to  an industrialestablishment to which this Chapter applies.

25S. Certain  provisions of  Chapter VA to apply to an industrial establishment  to  which  this  Chapter  applies.- The  provisions  of sections 25B, 25D, 25FF, 25G, 25H, and 25J in Chapter VA shall, so far as may  be, apply  also in  relation to an industrial establishment to which the provisions of this Chapter apply.]

4*[CHAPTER VC UNFAIR LABOUR PRACTICES

25T.

Prohibition of unfair labour practice.

25T. Prohibition  of  unfair  labour practice.-  No employer  or workman or  a trade  union, whether registered under the Trader Unions Act, 1926 (16 of 1926), or not, shall commit any unfair labour

practice.

25U.

Penalty for committing unfair labour practices.

25U. Penalty  for committing  unfair labour practices.-Any person who commits  any unfair  labour  practice  shall  be  punishable  with imprisonment for  a term  which may  extend to six months or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both.]

CHAPTER VI

42

PENALTIES

26.

Penalty for illegal strikes and lock-outs.

26. Penalty for illegal strikes and lock-outs.- (1)  Any  workman who commences, continues or otherwise acts in furtherance of, a strike which is illegal under this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for  a  term  which  may  extend  to one month, or with fine which may extend to fifty rupees, or with both.

(2) Any  employer who  commences, continues, or otherwise acts in furtherance of  a lock-out  which is  illegal under this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Omitted by Act 49 of 1984, s. 6 (w.e.f. 18.8.1984).

2.   Subs. by Act 46 of 1982, s. 15 (w.e.f. 21.8.1984).

3.   Omitted by s. 15, ibid. (w.e.f. 21-8-1984).

4.   Ins. by s. 16, ibid. (w.e.f. 21.8.1984).

179

27.

Penalty for instigation, etc.

27. Penalty  for instigation,  etc. Any  person who instigates or incites others to take part in, or otherwise acts in furtherance of, a strike  or  lock-out  which  is  illegal  under  this  Act,  shall  be punishable with  imprisonment for  a term  which  may  extend  to  six months, or  with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

28.

Penalty for giving financial aid to illegal strikes and lock-outs.

28. Penalty  for giving  financial aid   to illegal  strikes  and lock-outs.- Any person who knowingly expends  or applies  any money in direct furtherance  or support of any illegal strike or lock-out shall be punishable  with imprisonment  for a  term which  may extend to six months, or  with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

29.

Penalty for breach of settlement or award.

1*[29. Penalty for breach of settlement or award.- Any person who commits a  breach of  any term  of any  settlement or  award, which is binding on  him under  this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both,

2*[and where the breach is a continuing one, with a further fine which may extend to two hundred rupees for every day during which the breach continues after the conviction for the first] and the Court trying the offence, if  it fines  the offender,  may direct that the whole or any part of  the  fine  realised  from  him  shall  be  paid,  by  way  of compensation, to  any person  who, in its opinion, has been injured by such breach.]

30.

43

Penalty for disclosing confidential information.

30. Penalty  for disclosing confidential information.- Any person who wilfully  discloses any  such information  as is  referred  to  in section 21  in contravention  of the provisions of that section shall, on complaint  made by  or on  behalf of  the trade union or individual business affected,  be punishable  with imprisonment  for a term which may extend  to six  months, or  with fine  which  may  extend  to  one thousand rupees, or with both.

30A.

Penalty for closure without notice.

3*[30A. Penalty  for closure without notice.-  Any  employer  who closes down  any undertaking  without complying with the provisions of section 25FFA  shall be  punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend  to six  months, or  with fine  which may  extend  to  five thousand rupees, or with both.]

31.

Penalty for other offences.

31. Penalty for other offences.- (1) Any employer who contravenes the provisions of section 33 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term  which may  extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

(2) Whoever  contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or any rule made  thereunder shall, if no other penalty is elsewhere provided by or  under this  Act for such contravention, be punishable with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 20, for s. 29 (w.e.f. 17-9-1956).

2.   Ins. by Act 35 of 1965, s. 6 (w.e.f. 1-12-1965).

3.   Ins. by Act 32 of 1972, s. 3 (w.e.f. 14-6-1972).

180

CHAPTER VII MISCELLANEOUS

32.

Offence by companies, etc.

32. Offence  by companies, etc.- Where  a  person  committing  an offence under  this Act  is a  company, or other body corporate, or an association of  persons (whether incorporated or not), every director, manager, secretary,  agent or  other officer  or person concerned with the management  thereof shall,  unless he  proves that the offence was committed without  his knowledge or consent, be deemed to be guilty of such offence.

33.

Conditions  of  service,  etc.,  to  remain  unchanged  under certaincircumstances during pendency of proceedings.

44

1*[33. Conditions  of service,  etc., to  remain unchanged  under certain circumstances  during pendency of proceedings.- (1) During the pendency of  any conciliation proceeding before a conciliation officer or a  Board or  of any proceeding before 2*[an arbitrator or] a Labour Court or  Tribunal or  National Tribunal  in respect  of an industrial dispute, no employer shall--

(a) in  regard to  any matter  connected with  the  dispute, alter, to  the prejudice  of the  workmen concerned  in such dispute,  the conditions  of service applicable to them immediately  before the commencement of such proceeding; or

(b) for any misconduct connected with the dispute, discharge or punish,  whether  by  dismissal  or  otherwise,  any workmen concerned in such dispute,

save with  the express  permission in  writing of the authority before which the proceeding is pending.

(2) During  the pendency  of any such proceeding in respect of an industrial dispute,  the employer may, in accordance with the standing orders applicable  to a workman concerned in such dispute 2*[or, where there are no such standing orders, in accordance with the terms of the contract, whether express or implied, between him and the workman],--

(a) alter,  in regard  to any  matter not connected with the dispute, the  conditions of  service applicable to that workman immediately  before the  commencement  of  such proceeding; or

(b) for  any misconduct  not connected  with the dispute, or discharge or punish, whether by dismissal or otherwise, that workman:

Provided that  no such  workman shall be discharged or dismissed, unless he  has been  paid wages  for one  month and an application has been made by the employer to the authority before which the proceeding is pending for approval of the action taken by the employer.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 21, for s. 33 (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

2.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 18 (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

181

(3) Notwithstanding  anything contained  in sub-section  (2),  no employer shall,  during the pendency of any such proceeding in respect of an  industrial dispute,  take  any  action  against  any  protected workman concerned in such dispute--

(a) by altering, to the prejudice of such protected workman, the conditions of service applicable to him immediately before the commencement of such proceedings; or

(b) by  discharging or  punishing, whether  by dismissal  or otherwise, such protected workman,

save with  the express  permission in  writing of the authority before which the proceeding is pending.

Explanation.--For the  purposes of this sub-section, a "protected workman", in  relation to an establishment, means a workman who, being

1*[a member  of the  executive or other office bearer] of a registered trade union connected with the establishment, is recognised as such in accordance with rules made in this behalf.

(4)  In   every  establishment,  the number  of  workmen  to  be recognised as  protected workmen  for the  purposes of sub-section (3) shall be one per cent. of the total number of workmen employed therein subject to  a minimum  number of  five protected workmen and a maximum number of one hundred protected workmen and for the aforesaid purpose, the  appropriate   Government  may   make  rules   providing  for  the

45

distribution of  such protected workmen among various trade unions, if any, connected  with the  establishment and  the manner  in which  the workmen may be chosen and recognised as protected workmen.

(5) Where  an employer  makes an  application to  a  conciliation officer,  Board,  2*[an  arbitrator,  a]  labour  Court,  Tribunal  or National Tribunal under the proviso to sub-section (2) for approval of the action taken by him, the authority concerned shall, without delay, hear such  application and  pass, 3*[within  a  period of three months from the date of receipt of such application],  such order in relation thereto as it deems fit:]

4*[Provided that  where any such authority considers it necessary or expedient  so to do, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, extend such period by such further period as it may think fit:

Provided further  that no  proceedings before  any such authority shall lapse  merely on  the ground  that any  period specified in this sub-section had expired   without  such  proceedings being completed.]

33A.

Special  provision  for  adjudication  as to  whether  conditions ofservice,

etc., changed during pendency of proceedings.

5*[33A. Special  provision for  adjudication as to whether conditions of  service, etc., changed during pendency of proceedings.- Where an  employer contravenes the provisions of section 33 during the pendency of  proceedings 6*[before   a conciliation officer, Board, an arbitrator, a  Labour Court,  Tribunal  or  National  Tribunal],   any employee aggrieved by such contravention  may,  make  a  camplaint  in writing,

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by  Act 45  of 1971,  s. 5, for "an officer" (w.e.f. 15-12-

1971).

2.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 18 (w.e.f 19-12-1964).

3.   Subs. by Act 46 of 1982, s. 17 (w.e.f. 21-8-1984).

4.   Ins. by by s. 17, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-3-1957)

5.   Ins.  by Act 48 of 1950, s.  34 and Sch.

6.   Subs. by Act 46 of 1982, s. 18 (w.e.f. 21.8.1984).

182

1*[in the prescribed manner,--

(a) to  such conciliation  officer or Board, and the conciliation officer  or Board  shall take  such  complaint  into account in  inediating in,  and promoting the settlement of, such industrial dispute; and

(b) to  such arbitrator,  Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal  and   on  receipt of such  complaint,  the  arbitrator, Labour  Court, Tribunal or   National  Tribunal,  as the case may be,  shall  adjudicate upon the complaint as if it were a dispute referr ed   to  or   pending  before  it,  in accordance with the provisions of  this Act  and shall submit his or its award to the appropriate Government and the provisions of this Act shall apply accordingly.]

33B.

Power to transfer certain proceedings.

2*[33B. Power  to transfer  certain proceedings.- (1)  The appropriate Government  may, by order in writing and for reasons to be stated therein,  withdraw any proceeding under this Act pending before a Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal and transfer the same to another Labour  Court, Tribunal  or National Tribunal, as the case may

46

be, for  the disposal of the proceeding and the Labour Court, Tribunal or National  Tribunal to  which the  proceeding is so transferred may, subject to special directions in the order of transfer, proceed either de novo or from the stage at which it was so transferred:

Provided that  where a proceeding under section 33 or section 33A is pending  before a Tribunal or National Tribunal, the proceeding may also be transferred to a Labour Court.

(2) Without  prejudice to  the provisions of sub-section (1), any Tribunal or  National Tribunal,  if so  authorized by  the appropriate Government, may  transfer any  proceeding under  section 33 or section

33A pending  before it  to any  one of the Labour Courts specified for the disposal  of such  proceedings by  the appropriate  Government  by notification in the Official Gazette and the Labour Court to which the proceeding is so transferred shall dispose of the same.

33C.

Recovery of money due from an employer.

3*[33C. Recovery  of money due from  an employer.-  (1) Where any money is  due to  a workman  from an employer under a settlement or an award or  under the  provisions of  4*[Chapter VA  or Chapter VB], the workman himself  or any  other person  authorised by him in writing in this behalf, or, in the case of the death of the workman, his assignee or heirs may, without prejudice to any other mode of recovery, make an application to  the appropriate  Government for  the recovery  of  the money due  to him, and if the appropriate Government is satisfied that any money is so due, it

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.  Subs.  by Act 46 of 1982, s.  18 (w.e.f.  21.8.1984).

2.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 23 (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

3.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1964,  s. 19, for the former section (w.e.f.

19-12-1964).

4.   Subs. by  Act 32  of 1976,  s. 4,  for "Chapter  VA" (w.e.f. 5-3-

1976).

183

shall issue  a certificate  for that amount to the Collector who shall proceed to  recover the  same in  the same manner as an arrear of land revenue:

Provided that  every such  application shall  be made  within one year from  the date  on which the money became due to the workman from the employer:

Provided further  that any  such application  may be  entertained after the  expiry of  the said  period of one year, if the appropriate Government is  satisfied that  the applicant  had sufficient cause for not making the application within the said period.

(2) Where  any workman  is entitled  to receive from the employer any money  or any  benefit which is capable of being computed in terms of money  and if  any question arises as to the amount of money due or as to  the amount  at which  such benefit should be computed, then the question may, subject to any rules that may be made under this Act, be decided by such Labour Court as may be specified in this behalf by the appropriate Government; 1[within a period not exceeding three months:]

2*[Provided  that  where the  presiding officer of a Labour Court considers it  necessary or  expedient so to do, he may, for reasons to be recorded  in writing,  extend such period by such further period as he may think fit.]

(3) For  the purposes  of computing the money value of a benefit, the Labour  Court may, if it so thinks fit, appoint a commissioner who shall, after taking such evidence as may be necessary, submit a report to the  Labour Court  and the  Labour Court shall determine the amount after  considering   the  report   of  the   commissioner  and   other

47

circumstances of the case.

(4) The  decision of the Labour Court shall be forwarded by it to the appropriate  Government and  any amount  found due  by the  Labour Court may be recovered in the manner provided for in sub-section (1).

(5) Where  workmen employed  under the same employer are entitled to receive from him any money or any benefit capable of being computed in terms  of money, then, subject to such rules as may be made in this behalf, a single application for the recovery of the amount due may be made on behalf of or in respect of any number of such workmen.

Explanation.--In this  section "Labour  Court" includes any court constituted under  any law relating to investigation and settlement of industrial disputes in force in any State.]]

34.

Cognizance of offences.

34. Cognizance of offences.-(1) No Court shall take cognizance of any offence  punishable under  this Act or of the abetment of any such offence, save  on complaint  made by  or under  the authority  of  the appropriate Government.

(2) No Court inferior to that of 3*[a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial  Magistrate of  the first  class],  shall  try any  offence punishable under this Act.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Ins. by Act 46 of 1982  s. 19 (w.e.f. 21-8-1984).

2.   Added by s. 19, ibid. ( w.e.f. 21-8-1984)

3.   Subs. by s. 20, ibid. (w.e.f. 21.8.1984).

184

35.

Protection of persons.

35. Protection of persons.-(1) No person refusing to take part or to continue  to take  part in  any strike or lock-out which is illegal under this  Act shall,  by reason  of such refusal or by reason of any action taken  by him  under this section, be subject to expulsion from any trade  union or  society,  or  to  any  fine  or  penalty,  or  to deprivation of  any  right  or  benefit  to  which  he  or  his  legal representatives would otherwise be entitled, or be liable to be placed in any respect, either directly or indirectly, under any disability or at any  disadvantage as  compared with  other members  of the union or society, anything  to the  contrary in  the rules  of a trade union or society notwithstanding.

(2) Nothing  in the  rules of  a trade union or society requiring the settlement of disputes in any manner shall apply to any proceeding for enforcing  any right  or exemption secured by this section, and in any such  proceeding the Civil Court may, in lieu of ordering a person who has  been expelled  from membership of a trade union or society to be restored  to membership,  order that he be paid out of the funds of the trade  union or society such sum by way of compensation or damages as that Court thinks just.

36.

Representation of parties.

1*[36. Representation of parties.-(1) A workman who is a party to a dispute  shall be entitled to be represented in any proceeding under this Act by--

48

(a) 2*[any  member of  the executive  or office bearer] of a registered trade union of which he is a member:

(b) 2*[any  member of  the executive or other office bearer] of a  federation of  trade unions  to which  the  trade union referred to in clause (a) is affiliated;

(c) where  the worker is not a member of any trade union, by

2*[any member  of the executive or other office bearer] of any  trade union  connected with,  or by  any  other workman employed  in, the  industry in which the worker is employed  and authorized  in such  manner as  may be prescribed.

(2) An  employer who is a party to a dispute shall be entitled to be represented in any proceeding under this Act by--

(a) an officer of an association of employers of which he is a member;

(b) an  officer of  a federation of association of employers to which  the association  referred to in clause (a) is affiliated;

(c) where the employer is not a member of any association of employers,  by   an  officer   of  any  association  of employers connected  with, or  by  any  other  employer engaged in,

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by Act 48 of 1950, s. 34 and Sch., for s. 36.

2.   Subs. by Act 45 of 1971, s. 6 (w.e.f. 15-12-1971).

184A

the industry  in which  the  employer  is  engaged  and authorized in such manner as may be prescribed.

(3) No  party to a dispute shall be entitled to be represented by a legal practitioner in any conciliation proceedings under this Act or in any proceedings before a Court.

(4) In  any proceeding  1*[before a  Labour  Court,  Tribunal  or National Tribunal], a party to a dispute may be represented by a legal practitioner with  the consent  of the other parties to the proceeding and 2*[with  the leave  of the  Labour  Court,  Tribunal  or  National Tribunal, as the case may be].]

36A.

Power to remove difficulties.

3*[36A. Power  to remove difficulties.- (1) If, in the opinion of the appropriate  Government any  difficulty or  doubt arises as to the interpretation of  any provision  of an  award or  settlement, it  may refer the question to such Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal as it may think fit.

(2) The Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal to which such question is referred shall, after giving the parties an opportunity of being heard,  decide such question and its decision shall be final and binding on all such parties.]

36B.

Power to exempt.

4*[36B.  Power  to exempt.-  Where the appropriate Government  is satisfied in  relation to  any industrial establishment or undertaking

49

or any  class of  industrial establishments or undertakings carried on by a  department of that Government that adequate provisions exist for the investigation  and settlement of industrial disputes in respect of workmen employed  in such  establishment or  undertaking or  class  of establishments  or  undertakings,  it  may,  by  notification  in  the Official Gazette,  exempt, conditionally or unconditionally such establishment  or   undertaking  or   class   of   establishments   or undertakings from all or any of the provisions of this Act.].

37.

Protection of action taken under the Act.

37. Protection  of action taken under the Act.- No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which  is in  good faith  done or  intended  to  be  done  in pursuance of this Act or any rules made thereunder.

38.

Power to make rules.

38. Power to make  rules.- (1)  The appropriate  Government  may, subject to  the condition  of previous publication, make rules for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of this Act.

(2) In  particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power,  such rules  may  provide  for  all  or  any  of  the following matters, namely:--

(a) the  powers  and  procedure  of  conciliation  officers, Boards,  Courts,   5*[Labour  Courts,   Tribunals   and National Tribunals] including rules as to the summoning of witnesses,  the production  of documents relevant to the subject-matter  of an inquiry or investigation, the number of  members necessary  to form  a quroum and the manner of submission of reports and awards;

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1956, s. 24, for "before a Tribunal" (w.e.f.

10-3-1957).

2.   Subs. by  s. 24,  ibid., for  "with the  leave of  the  Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

3.   Ins. by s. 25, ibid. (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

4.   Subs. by s. 26, ibid., for "and Tribunals" (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

5.   Ins. by Act 46 of 1982, s. 21 (w.e.f. 21-8-1984).

184B

1*[(aa) the  form of  arbitration agreement,  the manner  in which it may be signed by the parties, 2*[the manner in which a  notification may  be issued  under sub-section (3A) of  section 10A,]  the powers  of  the  arbitrator named in the arbitration agreement and the procedure to be followed by him;

(aaa) the appointment of assessors in proceedings under this

Act;]

3*[ (ab)   the    constitution   of   Grievance   Settlement Authorities referred  to in  section 9C,  (section 38.) the manner in which industrial disputes may be referred to such authorities for settlement, the procedure to be followed by  such authorities  in  the  proceedings  in relation to  disputes referred  to them  and the period within which such preceedings shall be completed;]

(b) the  constitution and  functions of  and the  filling of vacancies in  Works Committees, and the procedure to be followed by  such Committees  in the discharge of their

50

duties;

(c) the  allowances admissible  to members  of Courts 4*[and Boards and  presiding officers  of Labour Courts, Tribunals and  National Tribunals] and to assessors and witnesses;

(d) the ministerial establishment which may be allotted to a Court, Board,  5*[Labour Court,  Tribunal  or  National Tribunal] and  the salaries  and allowances  payable to members of such establishments;

(e) the  manner in  which and  the persons  by and  to  whom notice of  strike or  lock-out may  be  given  and  the manner in which such notices shall be communicated;

(f) the  conditions subject  to which parties may be represented by legal practitioners in proceedings under this Act  before a  Court, 5*[Labour Court, Tribunal or National Tribunal];

(g) any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed.

(3)  Rules   made  under   this  section   may  provide   that  a contravention thereof  shall be  punishable with  fine  not  exceeding fifty rupees.

1*[(4) All  rules made  under this  section  shall,  as  soon  as possible after they are made, be laid before the State Legislature or, where the  appropriate Government  is the  Central Government,  before both Houses of Parliament.]

2*[(5) Every  rule made  by the  Central  Government  under  this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each

---------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 26 (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

2.   Ins. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 20 (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).

3.   Ins.  by Act 46 of 1982, s.  22 (w.e.f.  ..)

4.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1956,  s. 26,  for  "Boards  and  Tribunals"

(w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

5.   Subs. by s. 26, ibid., for "or Tribunal" (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).

184C

House  of  Parliament  while  it  is  in session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in 1*[two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately   following   the   session  or  the  successive  sessions aforesaid] both Houses agree in making any modification in  the  rule, or  both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no  effect, as  the  case  may  be;  so,  however,  that  any such modification or annulment shall be without  prejudice  to  the  validity  of  anything previously done under that rule.]

39.

Delegation of powers.

2*[39. Delegation  of powers.- The appropriate Government may, by notification  in   the  Official   Gazette,  direct   that  any  power exercisable by  it under  this Act  or rules made thereunder shall, in relation to  such matters  and subject  to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the direction, be exercisable also,--

(a) where  the appropriate  Government is the Central Government, by such officer or authority subordinate to the Central Government or by the State Government or by such officer  or authority  subordinate  to  the  State Government, as  may be  specified in  the notification; and

51

(b) where  the appropriate Government is a State Government, by such  officer or  authority subordinate to the State Government as may be specified in the notification.]

40.

Power to amend Schedules.

3*[40. Power  to amend  Schedules.-(1) The appropriate Government may, if  it is  of opinion  that it  is expedient  or necessary in the public interest so to do, by notification in the Official Gazette, add to the First Schedule any industry, and on any such notification being issued, the First Schedule shall be deemed to be amended accordingly.

(2) The  Central Government  may, by notification in the Official Gazette, add  to or  alter or  amend the  Second Schedule or the Third Schedule and  on  any  such  notification  being  issued,  the  Second Schedule or the Third Schedule, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be amended accordingly.

(3) Every  such notification  shall, as soon as possible after it is issued,  be laid  before the  Legislature  of  the  State,  if  the notification has been issued by a State Government, or before Parliament, if  the  notification  has  been  issued  by  the  Central Government.]

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1.   Subs. by  Act 32  of 1976,  s. 5,  for certain words (w.e.f. 5-3-

1976).

2.   Subs. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 27, for s. 39 (w.e.f. 17-9-1956).

3.   Subs. by  Act 36  of 1964,  s. 21, for s. 40 (w.e.f. 19-12-1964), which was ins by Act 36 of 1956, s. 28. Original s.  40  was rep. by Act 35 of 1950, s. 2 and Sch. I.

184D