LABOUR-Industrial Relations Bill, 1978-A Critical Overview

LABOUR Industrial Relations Bill, 1978 A Critical Overview Bagaram Tulpule CONTRARY to expectations, the Industrial Relations Bill is neither shorter nor simpler than the three enactments it claims to consolidate: the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the Trade Unions Act, 1926 and the Industrial Employment. (Standing Orders) Act. It is a great deal lengthier, more involved and combrous. Even seasoned trade unionists and practitioners of labour law find it difficult to fully comprehend its 167 elaborate and nsy sections. On the one hand, 'government wants workers themselves to take up the leadership of trade unions; on the other hand, it proposes to create a legal maze which will simply baffle workers and deliver them into the hands of employers, bureaucrats and lawyers. Instead of being strong, self-reliant and vibrant organisations of workers, trade unions will be made, at best, almost passive spectators at lengthy legal and administrative proceedings at numerous forums, and at worst, tools in the hands of government to impose its policies and decisions on workers.