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IMT–13: MANAGEMENT UNION RELATIONS
PART – A
Q1. What are obligations of employer under Provident Fund Act? What is
pensionable service? Write in detail.
Ans: There are various obligations of employer under Provident fund Act.
Financial Obligations:
Contributions:
• Statutory rate of contribution is 12% of emoluments (basic wages, dearness
allowance, cash value of food concession and retaining allowances if any,) in
the case of 175 establishments.
• Rate of contribution shall be 10% in the case of the following:
Brick, beedi, jute, guar gum factories, coir industry other than spinning
sector.
• Establishments declared as sick undertakings by BIFR.
• A matching contribution is to be collected from the emoluments of the
employees.
Out of 12% (or 10% as the case may be) of the employer’s share of
contribution, 8.33% is to be remitted towards pension fund.
• Employer is also required to pay a contribution of 0.5% of the emoluments
towards EDLIS’1976.
Administrative Charges:
• An employer is required to pay administrative charges at 1.10% of
emoluments towards provident fund charges and 0.01% towards EDLI
Scheme 1976.
• No separate administrative charges for pension scheme
Inspection Charges:
• In respect of exempted establishment under P.F. Scheme employer is liable
to pay only inspection charges at the rate of 0.18% of emoluments.
• In the case of establishment exempted from EDLI Scheme, the employer is
required to pay only inspection charges at the rate of 0.005% of
emoluments.
Interest Liability:
• For belated remittances of contributions, administrative / inspection charges
interest at the rate of 12% on such remittances for the period of delay is to
be remitted.
Damages:-
• For all the belated remittances of contribution and administration/inspection
charges damages are also payable as penalty ranging from 17% to 37% p.a.
depending upon delay.
Pensionable Service:
For pensionable service there is a formula to calculate pension. It is
Pensionable Salary x Pensionable Service / 70.
Pensionable salary can be categorized into 3.
1) Below Rs. 6500.
2) Rs. 6500 & above, but contribution on statutory celing of Rs. 6500.
3) Above Rs. 6500 & opted to contribute on actual salary.
In case of 2nd, pensionable salary is Rs. 6500. In other two cases, pensionable
salary will be the average of last twelve months. Also if pensionable service is 20
years & above 2 year’s bonus will be given.
Q2. Explain in detail --
a. Code of Discipline b. Writ of Certiorari
Ans 2a): Code of Discipline is voluntary in nature and does not have any legal
force. It was finalized in 1958 and mainly lays down that both workers and
employers should recognize their rights and responsibilities towards each other and
should willingly and properly discharge their obligations to each other.
The code has generally helped in ensuring a speedy settlement of industrial dispute
The breach of the code however, does not entail any legal liability or penalty. The
organizations of employers and workers are however, required to apply sanctions
against their members for violating the code. These sanctions have been laid down
by Standing Labour Committee Indian Labour Conference. They are reformative in
character and not punitive.
Ans 2b): Constitution of India, Art. 226-Powers of High Court there- under-Writ of
certiorari against Election Tribunals after they become functus officio-Certiorari
against Record- Distinction between writ of prohibition and writ of certiorari-Art.
227 of the Constitution-Superintendence of High Court over Election Tribunals-
Superintendence-Judicial as well as administrative-Certiorari-Scope and character
of -Representation of the People (Conduct of Elections and Election Petitions) Rules,
1951-Rule 47(1)(c)-Whether mandatory or directory-Error manifest on the fa1e of
record- Interference by certiorari.
Q3. What are the conditions under which a strike or lock-out is considered
illegal? Also explain:
a. gherao b. lighting strike
Ans 3: According to Section 2(q) of said Act defines the term strike, it says,
"strike" means a cassation 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 accept employment. Whenever employees want to go on strike
they have to follow the procedure provided by the Act otherwise there strike
deemed to be an illegal strike. Section 22(1) of the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947
put certain prohibitions on the right to strike. It provides that no person employed
in public utility service shall go on strike in breach of contract:
(a) Without giving to employer notice of strike 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.
It is to be noted that these provisions do not prohibit the workmen from going on
strike but require them to fulfill the condition before going on strike. Further these
provisions apply to a public utility service only. The Industrial Dispute Act, 1947
does not specifically mention as to who goes on strike. However, the definition of
strike itself suggests that the strikers must be persons, employed in any industry to
do work.
Ans 3a:
Gherao, meaning "encirclement," is a word originally from Hindi and is a typically
Indian way of protest. Usually, a group of people would surround a politician or a
government building until their demands are met, or answers given. This principle
was introduced as a formal means of protest in the labour sector by Subodh
Banarjee, the PWD and Labor Minister in the 1967 and 1969 United Front
Governments of West Bengal, respectively.
Owing to its popularity and intensity as a new method of labour action the word
“gherao” got inducted into the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, Eleventh Edition,
2004, on page 598 has the following entry: “Gherao: n (pl. gheraos). Indian; a
protest in which workers prevent employers leaving a place of work until demands
are met; Origin: From Hindi” and Subodh Banarjee was referred to as the Gherao
minister. In usage, the past tense of the verb, gheraoed, is more common.
Ans 3b: The first stage of a lightning strike involves an initial discharge of low
luminosity known as a downward leader. It forms at the cloud centre and moves
down toward the ground in steps of several dozen meters at a time. At the same
time, the electric charge in the atmosphere at ground level increases as the
downward leader gets closer.
Any high point in the vicinity such as an electricity pylon or a lightning rod
immediately gives rise to natural ionisation in the form of a series of electrical
discharges which are blue in colour. This is the point effect or corona effect as
observed by sailors during a storm, known as Saint Elmo’s fire, or by mountaineers
who report hearing the characteristic humming of «bees» prior to a storm. As soon
as the downward leader is close enough to the ground, the ionisation due to the
corona effect intensifies, especially near any high point, and eventually turns into
an upward discharge: this discharge is the upward leader that develops toward the
cloud.
When one of these upward leaders comes into contact with the downward leader, a
conductive path is created allowing a powerful current to flow. This is lightning and
is characterized by its bright flash and the deafening sound of thunder. The
lightning strike may in fact be made up of a number of successive return strokes,
only a few hundredths of a second apart, all following the same highly ionised path.
Q4. Discuss briefly the powers of ESI Corporation? How is contribution of
employer as well as employee to be paid to the ESI Corporation?
Ans: The Employee State Insurance Act, [ESIC] 1948, is a piece of social welfare
legislation enacted primarily with the object of providing certain benefits to
employees in case of sickness, maternity and employment injury and also to make
provision for certain others matters incidental thereto.
The Act in fact tries to attain the goal of socio-economic justice enshrined in the
Directive principles of state policy under part 4 of our constitution, in particular,
articles 41, 42 and 43 which enjoin the state to make effective provision for
securing, the right to work, to education and public assistance in cases of
unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement.
The Act also strives to materialize these avowed objects through only to a limited
extent, which becomes a wider spectrum than factory act, in the sense that the
factory act is concerned with the health, safety, welfare, leave etc of the workers
employed in the factory premises only. However, the benefits of this act extend to
employees whether working inside the factory or establishment or elsewhere or
they are directly employed by the principal employee or through an intermediate
agency, if the employment is incidental or in connection with the factory or
establishment.
The Employee State Insurance act was promulgated by the Parliament of India in
the year 1948, and was initially launched on 2nd February 1952 at just two
industrial centers in the country namely Kanpur and Delhi with a total coverage of
about 1.20 lakh workers.
The ESI Act is a social welfare legislation enacted with the object of providing
certain benefits to employees in case of sickness, maternity and employment
injury. Under the Act, employees will receive medical relief, cash benefits,
maternity benefits, pension to dependents of deceased workers and compensation
for fatal or other injuries and diseases.
Contribution
E.S.I. Scheme being contributory in nature, all the employees in the factories or
establishments to which the Act applies shall be insured in a manner provided by
the Act. The contribution payable to the Corporation in respect of an employee shall
comprise of employer’s contribution and employee’s contribution at a specified rate.
The rates are revised from time to time. Currently, the employee’s contribution rate
(w.e.f. 1.1.97) is 1.75% of the wages and that of employer’s is 4.75% of the wages
paid/payable in respect of the employees in every wage period. Employees in
receipt of a daily average wage upto Rs.50/- w.e.f. 01-04-2004 are exempted from
payment of contribution. Employers will however contribute their own share in
respect of these employees.
Q5. Explain IESO Act? What are it’s major features?
Ans: Industrial Employment Standing Orders Act (IESO Act) is applicable only to
industrial establishments where more than 100 workmen are engaged. For all
practical purposes, as the workman would be treated as contractor's employee, the
number of workmen working in the principal employer's establishment (if they are
more than 100), is immaterial. In such case, IESO Act will be applicable to the
permanent employees of the principal employer and not contractual workers
working in the same establishment through contractor.
Features of IESO Act
� Classification of workmen, e.g., whether permanent, temporary, apprentices,
probationers, or badlis.
� Manner of intimating to workmen periods and hours of work, holidays, pay-
days and wage rates.
� Shift working.
� Attendance and late coming.
� Conditions of, procedure in applying for, and the authority which may grant
leave and holidays.
� Requirement to enter premises by certain gates, an liability to search.
� Closing and reporting of sections of the industrial establishment, temporary
stoppages of work and the rights and liabilities of he employer and workmen
arising there from.
� Termination of employment, and the notice thereof to be given by employer
and workmen.
� Suspension or dismissal for misconduct, and acts or omissions which
constitute misconduct.
� Means of redress for workmen against unfair treatment or wrongful exactions
by the employer or his agents or servants.
� Any other matter which may be prescribed.
PART – B
Q1. Write short notes on
a. Types of Conciliation b. Parties of “Industrial Dispute”
Ans 1a): Conciliation proceeding could be of two types:
� Facilitative conciliation
� Evaluative conciliation
In facilitative conciliation, the conciliator avoids opinion and judgments and he
merely assists the parties to clarify their communications, interest and priorities. On
the other hand, in evaluative conciliation, the conciliator expresses his opinion on
the merit of the issues so as to enable the parties to approach settlement. His
opinion is a third party view on the merit but such opinion would not be conclusive
and binding.
A conciliator must be seen as an independent and impartial person and he must
enjoy confidence of both the parties. The parties should be able to repose trust and
confidence on him so as to enable them to share their secrets and their thinking
process with the conciliator with the belief that the same should not be divulged to
other party without specific instructions in that regard. Therefore, a conciliator is
bound by rules of confidentiality and not by the strict rules of the Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
A party desiring to avail of the remedy could take resort to the said procedure
during pre-litigation and even during the pendency of litigation. If the effort fails,
the parties can always come back to litigation. However, during the pendency of
conciliation preceding a party is not entitled to pursue litigation.
A large number of disputes arise in the commercial areas, matrimonial matters and
labour and employment areas. These disputes are being resolved by resorting to
litigation. However, in these areas conciliation and mediation could play an effective
role in bringing about a solution as they involve emotional angle and strong feelings
in the disputing parties, which are best settled by conciliation.
Ans 12): An industrial dispute may be defined as a conflict or difference of opinion
between management and workers on the terms of employment. It is a
disagreement between an employer and employees' representative; usually a trade
union, over pay and other working conditions and can result in industrial actions.
When an industrial dispute occurs, both the parties, that is the management and
the workmen, try to pressurize each other.
As per Section 2(k) of Industrial Disputes Act,1947, an industrial dispute in defined
as any dispute or difference between employers and employers, or between
employers and workmen, or between workmen and which is connected with the
employment or non-employment or the terms of employment or with the conditions
of labor, of any person.
This definition includes all the aspects of a dispute. It, not only includes the
disagreement between employees and employers, but also emphasizes the
difference of opinion between worker and worker. The disputes generally arise on
account of poor wage structure or poor working conditions. This disagreement or
difference could be on any matter concerning the workers individually or
collectively. It must be connected with employment or non-employment or with the
conditions of labor.
From the point of view of the employer, an industrial dispute resulting in stoppage
of work means a stoppage of production. This results in increase in the average
cost of production since fixed expenses continue to be incurred. It also leads to a
fall in sales and the rate of turnover, leading to a fall in profits. The employer may
also be liable to compensate his customers with whom he may have contracted for
regular supply. Apart from the immediate economic effects, loss of prestige and
credit, alienation of the labor force, and other non-economic, psychological and
social consequences may also arise. Loss due to destruction of property, personal
injury and physical intimidation or inconvenience also arises.
For the employee, an industrial dispute entails loss of income. The regular income
by way of wages and allowance ceases, and great hardship may be caused to the
worker and his family. Employees also suffer from personal injury if they indulge
into strikes n picketing; and the psychological and physical consequences of forced
idleness. The threat of loss of employment in case of failure to settle the dispute
advantageously, or the threat of reprisal action by employers also exists.
Q2. What is ‘collective bargaining’ & types of ‘collective bargaining’?
Describe in detail essential factors for the success of collective bargaining.
Ans: Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers
and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching
agreements that regulate working conditions, which usually set out wage
scales, working hours, training, health and safety, overtime, grievance
mechanisms and rights to participate in workplace or company affairs.
Subsequently, the union may negotiate with a single employer (who is typically representing a company's shareholders) or may negotiate with a
group of businesses, depending on the country, to reach an industry wide agreement.
Collective bargaining consists of the process of negotiation between representatives of a union and employers (generally represented by
management, in some countries[which?] by an employers' organization) in respect of the terms and conditions of employment of employees, such as
wages, hours of work, working conditions and grievance-procedures, and about the rights and responsibilities of trade unions. The parties often refer to the result of the negotiation as a collective
bargaining agreement (CBA) or as a collective employment agreement (CEA), and the right to bargain collectively with an employer enhances the
human dignity, liberty and autonomy of workers by giving them the opportunity to influence the establishment of workplace rules and thereby
gain some control over a major aspect of their lives.
Collective bargaining is not simply an instrument for pursuing external end, but rather, intrinsically valuable as an experience in self-government that permits workers to achieve a form of workplace democracy and to ensure
the rule of law in the workplace.
Workers gain a voice to influence the establishment of rules that control a major aspect of their lives, since collective bargaining is a type of
negotiation used by employees to work with their employers because during a collective bargaining period, workers' representatives approach the
employer and attempt to negotiate a contract which both sides can agree with.
Q3. What are the major forums of worker’s participation? What are the
major hurdles for workers participation?
Ans: Workers have several channels through which they can participate in
corporate governance. Participation typically involves worker representatives
becoming involved in formal corporate governance mechanisms. One form is
membership on the corporate board of directors, and another is works councils.
Collective bargaining between management and labor unions, which is not
considered as a formal governance mechanism, also has a significant impact on
corporate decision-making.
The major hurdles in optimizing human resources in the organizational context
seem to be wide spread alienation among the workers. One needs to follow the
Principal - "Prevention is better than cure" and try prevent (or at least reduce the
possibility) of alienation. It is not an easy job - no readymade answer are available.
Dealing with job enrichment, quality of working life, job involvement and such
prevalent and popular domains might help in tackling such a problem.
Q4. Distinguish between ---
a. Arbitration & National tribunal b. Domestic enquiry & labor court
Ans 4a)
Arbitration: Arbitration is the process of bringing a business dispute before a
disinterested third party for resolution. The third party, an arbitrator, hears the
evidence brought by both sides and makes a decision. Sometimes that decision is
binding on the parties.
National tribunal: The Central Government may set up a National Tribunal for
adjudication of industrial disputes which in its opinion involve questions of national
importance or are of such nature that industrial establishments in more than one
State are likely to be interested in such disputes.
The Presiding Officer of a Labour Court should at least have held a judicial office for
not less than 7 years or been a Presiding Officer of a labour Court under a State Act
for not less than 5 years. He may also have higher qualifications such as being a
District Judge or an Additional District Judge for three years or a High Court Judge.
The Presiding Officer of an Industrial Tribunal should have been at least a District
Judge or an Additional District Judge for three years. Alternatively, he should have
held the post of a judge in a High Court. No person can be appointed as the
presiding Officer of a National Tribunal unless he has held the post of a Judge in a
High Court.
Ans 4b:
Domestic Enquiry:
Domestic enquiry is similar to a trial in a court of law, but while a trial in a court is
for crimes done against society, domestic enquiry is conducted for offences
committed against the establishment for misconduct, punishable under the standing
orders/rules and regulations of the organization.
Further, while a trail in a court is in accordance with the criminal procedure code,
civil procedure code, evidence act, the domestic enquiry is conducted in terms of
what is known as ‘Natural Justice’. Also, the enquiry officer while examining the
evidence and pronouncing on the guilt is not authorized to penalize the employee.
It is only the employer or the appointing authority also known as notified
disciplinary authority who can pronounce the penalty.
Labour Court:
Labour Court can 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 re-instatement 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.
Q5. What is the procedure to register a trade union? Explain how political
affiliation help trade unions?
Ans: A trade union can be made permanent and stable only if it is registered under
the Trade Union Act. A registered trade union enjoys various privileges, benefits
and immunities, and therefore, most sponsors of a trade union are tempted to
register it. After registration, a trade union is entitled to represent its members.
Procedure for Registration of a Union
As per Section 4 of the Trade Union Act, a minimum of 10 members of a trade
union shall apply for registration, with the total number of members being 100 or
less. In all other cases, at least seven members of a union shall apply for
registration.
However, in cases where less than half the number of applicants who originally
applied for registration withdraw their membership from the union after submitting
the application of registration, the application shall not be considered invalid.
The application shall be submitted in Form A to the Registrar along with the rules of
the union and other mandatory details, such as name of the trade union, names,
addresses and occupations of the applicants and the office bearers and address of
the main office of the trade union.
As per Section 6 of the Trade Union Act, a trade union cannot be registered unless
it adheres to the provisions of the Act. Here are some mandatory rules to be
satisfied by a trade union to be eligible for registration:
� Name of the Trade Union.
� Objectives of its establishments
� The lawful purpose of spending the general funds
� Maintenance of list of members, sufficient facilities for its scrutiny by the
office bearers and union members.
� Payment of monthly membership fee of 25 paise
� Safe custody of funds
� Conduction of annual audits
Certain trade unions also have political affiliation. For instance, the INTUC is
affiliated with the Congress Party, whereas the AITUC is affiliated with the
Communist Party of India. In addition to the interference of political leaders, such
affiliation has, at times, led to multi-unionism (i.e., multiple unions in the same
organization), which creates complexities for the employer especially during the
collective bargaining process.
PART – C
Q1. What are the implications of bata shoe company v. d.n ganguly case?
What is importance of section 11-A of industrial dispute Act?
Ans: During the course of conciliation proceedings in respect of a dispute between
the appellant company and its workmen a settlement was arrived at between the
parties on February 18, 1954. Despite the settlement some of the workmen went
on strike on February 23, 1954, but eventually it was called off on March 19 and
20, 1954. On the ground that the strike was illegal because it took place during the
currency of a settlement, the appellant took steps to serve charge-sheets on the
workmen who had joined the strike and, after a managerial inquiry, dismissed sixty
of them. There were conciliation proceedings in respect of the dismissal of the
workmen before the Labour Commissioner and an agreement was arrived at
between the appellant and the union on September 2, 1954. The Labour
Commissioner was apprised of this settlement, but since it was found that the
union was opposing reinstatement of certain workmen, he proposed to hold further
conciliation proceedings. The appellant was against holding further conciliation
steps and, therefore, the Labour Commissioner reported the matter to the
Government under s. 12(4) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
A reference was accordingly made and the Tribunal gave the award under which all
the dismissed workmen were to be reinstated on the ground that they had not been
shown to have taken part in violence and there were extenuating circumstances in
their case inasmuch as they were misled to join the strike in order to oust the old
office bearers of the union so that others might be elected in their place, and that
though a much larger number of workmen had taken part in the illegal strike and
the union took up the case, only these sixty were eventually dismissed while the
rest were reinstated. The appellant objected to the award on the grounds (1) that
as a settlement had been arrived at during the course of conciliation proceedings on
September 2, 1954, which specifically dealt with the case of these sixty workmen,
the reference was incompetent in view of s. 18 of that Act, (2) the reference was
also incompetent because what was referred was riot an industrial dispute but a
dispute between the employer and its individual workmen, and (3) the Tribunal's
order of reinstatement was in any case unjustified.
According to Section 11A: Powers of Labour Court, 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 re-instatement 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.]
Q2. Write short notes on---
a. “victimization” as per supreme court judgment in bharat iron works v.
bhagubhai patel
b. National commission on labor
Ans 2a: “victimization” as per supreme court judgment in bharat iron
works v. bhagubhai patel
Ordinarily a person is vitimised if he is made a vitim or a scapegoat and is
subjected to persection, prosecution or punishment for no real fault or guilt of
his own. If actual fault or guilt meriting punishment is established, such action
will be rid of the taint of victimisation. [283F]
Victimisation may partake of various types, as for example, pressurising an
employee to leave the union or union activities, treating an employee in a
discriminatory manner or inflicting a grossly monstrous punishment which no
rational person would impose upon an employee and the like. Victimisation is a
serious charge by an employee against an employee and, therefore, it must be
properly and adequately pleaded. The charge must not be vague or indefinite.
The fact that there is a union espousing the cause of the employees in
legitimate trade union activity and an employee is a member or active office-
bearer thereof, is per se no crucial instance. [283G]
The onus of establishing a plea of victimisation will be upon the person pleading
it. Since a charge of victimisation is a serious matter reflecting to a degree,
upon the subjective attitude of the employer evidenced by acts and conduct,
these have to be established by safe and sure evidence. Mere allegations, vague
suggestions and insinuations are not enough. All particulars of the charge brought
out, if believed, must be weighed by the Tribunal and a conclusion should be
reached on totality of the evidence produced. [284C-D]
Victimisation must be directly connected with the activities of the concerned
employee inevitably leading to the penal action without the necessary proof of valid
charge against him. [284D]
Ans 2b: THE National Commission on Labour has made certain important and path-
breaking recommendations in the context of the review of labour laws. A few
important points from the report are given below:
� The Commission recommends a specific provision in the Trade Union Act to
enable workers in the unorganised sector to form trade unions and register
them. It has recommended a waiver of the condition of employer-employee
relationship and also of the 10 per cent membership in the establishment.
This is a path-breaking recommendation that can pave the way for bringing
into the fold of the labour movement 92 per cent of the workers in the
unorganised sector.
� The Commission has recommended using the check-off system to determine
the negotiating agent in an establishment. Moreover, by fixing 66 per cent
membership for entitlement as negotiating agent, the panel has not favoured
the principle of simple majority but has opted for two-thirds majority. If the
condition is not satisfied, a composite negotiating agent from among
representatives of unions with support of more than 25 per cent has been
recommended.
� The Commission has recommended a three-tier system of Lok Adalats,
Labour Courts and the Labour Relation Commission. While the Lok Adalats
and Labour Courts deal with individual grievances and complaints, the Labour
Relations Commission has been empowered to deal with both individual
problems and those of collective bargaining a settlement cannot be reached
through bilateral negotiations.
Q3. What is the difference between?
a. check off & exit interview
b. settlement & award
Ans 3a:
Check Off:
The collection of union dues by employers through compulsory deduction from each
worker's wages
A voluntary contribution from one's income tax for a specific purpose, as the public
financing of election campaigns, made by checking off the appropriate box on a tax
return.
Exit Internview:
An exit interview is typically a meeting between at least one representative from a
company's human resources (HR) department and a departing employee. (The
departing employee usually has voluntarily resigned vs. getting laid off or fired.)
The HR rep might ask the employee questions while taking notes, ask the employee
to complete a questionnaire, or both.
Ans 3b) settlement & award
The difference is that settlement arrived at in course of conciliation or an arbitration
award or award of labour court or Tribunal binds all parties to industrial dispute
including present and future workmen and all parties who were summoned to
appear in the proceedings. (Section 18(3)].
If settlement is arrived at by mutual agreement, it binds only those who were
actually party to agreement. [section 18(1)]
Q4. What are the main features of workers in the management bill 1990?
How these features can be enforced?
Ans: Main features of workers in the management bill 1990:
� The Bill is to be applicable to all units covered under the ID Act, 1947 and
the definition of Appropriate Government prevailing in the ID Act is to be
made applicable.
� The Central Government will be responsible for enforcing the law in all cases
where the Central Government is the appropriate Government under the ID
Act, 1947 and also in enterprises where the Central Government holds 51%
or more of the paid up share capital. In the remaining cases, the
responsibility for enforcement will be that of the State Government.
� The Bill provides for formulation of one or more schemes to be framed by the
Central Government for giving effect to the provisions of the law which will
include, among others, the manner of representation of workmen at all the
three levels and of other workers at the Board level, nomination of
representatives of employers on the shop floor and establishment level
councils, procedure to be followed in the discharge of the functions of the
Councils etc.
� The Bill proposes to constitute one or more Councils at the shop floor level
and a Council at the establishment level. These Councils shall consist of
equal number of persons to represent the employers and the workmen. The
Appropriate Government shall in consultation with the employer and taking
into account the total number of workmen, the number of levels of authority,
the number of shop floors determine the number of persons who shall
represent the employer and the workmen in a Council.
� The Bill also envisages a Board of Management at the Apex level where
representatives of the workmen as defined under the ID Act shall constitute
13% and persons representing other workers shall constitute 12% of the
total strength of such management. The persons to represent the workmen
and other workers in the Board of Management shall be elected by and from
amongst workmen and other workers of the industrial establishment or by
secret ballot.
Feature can effective
� Employer should adopt a progressive outlook. They should consider the
industry as a joint endeavour in which workers have an equal say. Workers
should be provided and enlightened about the benefits of their participation
in the management.
� Employers and workers should agree on the objectives of the industry. They
should recognize and respect the rights of each other.
� Workers and their representatives should be provided education and training
in the philosophy and process of participative management. Workers should
be made aware of the benefits of participative management.
� There should be effective communication between workers and management
and effective consultation of workers by the management in decisions that
have an impact on them.
� Participation should be a continuous process. To begin with, participation
should start at the operating level of management.
� A mutual co-operation and commitment to participation must be developed
by both management and labour.
� Modern scholars are of the mind that the old adage “a worker is a worker, a
manager is a manager; never the twain shall meet” should be replaced by
“managers and workers are partners in the progress of business”
Q5. What is gratuity? What can an employee do if he is being refused his
gratuity on leaving his company after seven years of service?
Ans: Gratuity is a part of salary that is received by an employee from his/her
employer in gratitude for the services offered by the employee in the company.
Gratuity is a defined benefit plan and is one of the many retirement benefits offered
by the employer to the employee upon leaving his job. An employee may leave his
job for various reasons, such as - retirement/superannuation, for a better job
elsewhere, on being retrenched or by way of voluntary retirement.
If the employee fails to receive the payment from the employer after having
entered into full and final settlement of the account, the employee can file a civil
suit for recovery of office dues. In case gratuity has not been paid then the
employee can proceed under the provisions of Payment of Gratuity Act and then in
case Provident Fund has not been released after the employee leaving, then he can
proceed under the provisions of the Provident Fund Act
CASE STUDY – I
Suma ltd is having its plant in Ghaziabad where 500 workers are working. It has
also got workers union in the plant. It opened a new plant in greater noida where
300 workers got jobs. The new plants’s workers decided to form a separate union
but company refused to allow formation new union. The workers went on a strike &
also damaged property of the company. After hectic negotiations, the strike was
called off. But the company asked workers to sign a undertaking that they will
neither resort to violence nor they will damage any property of company. The
workers refused to do so & again went on strike. Based on above facts answer the
following questions—
Q1: Can any company refused formation of new union by its workers?
Answer: A company cannot refuse any formation of unions within the company. It
is their universal rights to organize into unions to be able to collectively bargain
with the company for better working conditions in the workplace, better salaries
and benefits, work rules and better grievance machineries in place to prevent
abuse.
Q2: What actions a company can take against those workers who damaged
the property of company?
Answer: While it is true that labor unions protect their rank against abuse from
employers, the company has also the right to protect their interests including
corporate property and facilities. The company can take actions, such as filing
cases and oblige payment for damage to property and facilities, against individual
union members or officers. The union does have a right to strike but do not have
prerogative to destroy company property to express their grievance or frustrations.
Q3: Can workers refuse signing of such bond? Can company incorporate
these conditions in its standing order? If yes how?
Answer: Workers has the right to refuse signing of bonds that would be construed
as abusive or has not been briefed on what the bond entails including conditions
and penalties. The company must ensure that the Bonds should be written (i.e.
documented), contains provisions that would spell out detailed conditions (and in a
way do not abuse workers’ rights and privileges) covering employees under this.
After the draft document is done, the company should explain this first to union
leaders and disseminated to members of the union. If everyone agrees to the
conditions of the Bond, then everyone should sign the document, copies be kept by
the Management and Union Officers under file and key. If disputes are encountered
during the period of its implementation, the signed document should be the key to
settle any dispute involving Bonds.
CASE STUDY – II
Princess was employed in company for last 3 year. One day she was caught stealing
from the company. She was dismissed from the job with one month salary. Is the
company’s action legal? If you were the labor officer, how would you terminate
services of such employee. (Give proper procedure)
Case Solution: While it is true that Princess should be terminated for stealing and
dismissed from service, as a Labor Officer I will observe due process and do the
following before terminating her services:
1. After reporting the incident to the Human Resources Department, the HR or
Labor Officer should serve a written notice to Princess to explain her side of
the incident. It would also contain the allegations hurled against her and
give her a period to explain her side. The period should be at least 24-48
hours. She is also advised to prepare for an Investigation that will take place
and to confront her accusers.
2. Gather witnesses that would prove that Princess was indeed involved in the
thefts within the company. All witnesses’ accounts should be documented.
3. Ask the Accounting Department to do an Audit of her work for the past three
years to check whether there were losses that were not reported. This will
form part of the investigation later on.
4. Temporarily suspend Princess during the Investigation Period to avoid
intimidating witnesses or anyone involved in the investigation
5. On the day of the investigation, read all the accusations hear and receive her
accounts and do a cross check of the facts stated herein.
6. After which, recommend termination of her services. Although she is entitled
to be compensated for her services, however; total compensation for which
she is entitled to shall be on the basis of her last pay less the amount she
stole from the company.
7. Princess will be given termination notice plus her compensation on the last
day. She will be asked to sign a Quit Claim. There is also an option to sue
her in court as well.