Definition and Scope:
The Act defines an industrial dispute as any conflict or difference between employers and workers, or between workers and workers.
Legal Framework for Dispute Resolution:
It provides mechanisms for the investigation and settlement of industrial disputes through conciliation, arbitration, and adjudication.
Layoff, Retrenchment, and Closure:
The Act regulates the conditions under which workers can be laid off, retrenched, or the establishment can be closed, ensuring fair practices and providing for compensation.
Trade Union Recognition:
Recognizes the role of trade unions and facilitates collective bargaining as a means to resolve disputes.
Strikes and Lockouts:
Defines and regulates the legality of strikes and lockouts, setting conditions for their initiation and termination.
Prohibition of Unfair Labor Practices:
Prohibits employers and workers from engaging in unfair labor practices that could lead to industrial disputes.
Redressal Mechanisms:
Establishes Labor Courts and Industrial Tribunals for the adjudication of disputes, providing a legal forum for resolution.
Compensation and Reinstatement:
Ensures that workers unjustly terminated are entitled to compensation or reinstatement.
Amendments and Evolution:
The Act has undergone amendments to align with the changing industrial landscape, reflecting economic developments and labor trends.
Importance in Industrial Relations:
Acts as a cornerstone for maintaining industrial harmony by providing a legal framework for the resolution of disputes, contributing to a stable and equitable work environment.
