Objective: To provide for the investigation and settlement of industrial disputes
Important Features
- Constitutes the appropriate Government as:
- Central Government in respect of Industrial Disputes concerning employees of:
- Railways
- Any industry carried on by or under the authority of the Central Government or any Railway company; or
- Major ports
- State Government in respect of all other industrial disputes not falling within the jurisdiction of the Central Government.
- Defines “Industrial Dispute” which means any dispute or difference between employers and employees, or between employers 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
- Lays down the machinery for settlement of industrial disputes as under -
- Works Committee – to be constituted in every industrial establishment in which 100 or more workmen are employed.
- Conciliation Officer – to bring about a settlement by the way of negotiation, conciliation or mediation.
- Court of Inquiry – to inquire into any matter appearing to be connected with or relevant to an industrial dispute
- Board of Arbitration - to decide disputes
- Labour Courts – to decide disputes relating to proper discharge of duties, disciplinary matters, dismissal, retrenchment, termination of service and illegality or otherwise of a strike or lock-out.
- Industrial Tribunal - to decide any other industrial disputes
- Provides for the following reliefs to workmen –
- Reinstatement in case of wrongful termination
- Compensation of wrongful termination
- Reimbursement of money deducted
- Lays down the procedures of strikes, lock-out, penalties and unfair labor practices.
- Prescribe penalties:
- Section 23 – Imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine up to 1000 rupees for false statements on affidavit.
- Section 29 – Imprisonment up to 3 months or fine up to Rs.500 or both for failure to attend proceeding.
- Section 30 – Imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine up to 1000 rupees or both for failure to furnish information for proceedings