The Industrial Disputes Act 1947 is a legislation in India that aims to regulate and resolve industrial disputes between employers and workers. It applies to any industry, whether public or private, and covers all employees except those working in the civil services, public sector undertakings, and employees who are covered by any other special act.
The Act provides for the establishment of machinery for the conciliation, arbitration, and adjudication of industrial disputes. It empowers the government to appoint conciliation officers, labor courts, and industrial tribunals to resolve disputes between employers and workers. The Act also allows the government to refer any industrial dispute to these bodies for resolution.
The Act aims to promote harmonious relations between employers and workers and to prevent industrial disputes from disrupting the smooth functioning of industries. It provides for the settlement of disputes through peaceful means, such as conciliation and arbitration, and aims to avoid the use of force or violence in the resolution of industrial disputes.
Under the Act, an industrial dispute is defined as any dispute or difference between employers and workers, or between workers and workers, or between employers and employers, which is connected with the employment or non-employment, or the terms of employment, or the conditions of labor, of any person. This includes disputes related to wages, working hours, leave, and other conditions of employment.
The Act also provides for the formation of trade unions and employee associations, and grants them the right to represent the interests of their members in negotiations with employers. It also provides for the recognition of collective bargaining agents, which are responsible for negotiating on behalf of the workers in an industry or establishment.
In conclusion, the Industrial Disputes Act 1947 is a crucial legislation in India that aims to regulate and resolve industrial disputes between employers and workers. It provides for the establishment of machinery for the conciliation, arbitration, and adjudication of industrial disputes, and promotes harmonious relations between employers and workers. It also grants trade unions and employee associations the right to represent the interests of their members, and provides for the recognition of collective bargaining agents.