Federal · Act · 2008

Industrial Relations Act, 2008 (Repealed by Act X of 2012)

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INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 2008 Last Updated: 20081201 Contents PREAMBLE . 1 SHORT TITLE, EXTENT, COMMENCEMENT AND APPLICATION 2 DEFINITIONS 3 TRADE UNIONS AND FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION 4 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION 5 REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION 6 REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION 7 ISQUALIFICATION FOR BEING AN OFFICER OF A TRADE UNION 8 REGISTERED TRADE UNION TO MAINTAIN REGISTER, ETC 9 REGISTRATION 10 TRANSFER, ETC, OF OFFICER OF TRADE UNION DURING PENDENCY OF APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION 11 CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION 12 CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION 13 APPEAL AGAINST CANCELLATION 14 REGISTRAR OF TRADE UNIONS 15 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF REGISTRAR 16 INCORPORATION OF REGISTERED TRADE UNION 17 UNFAIR LABOUR PRACTICES ON THE PART OF EMPLOYERS 18 UNFAIR LABOUR PRACTICES ON THE PART OF A WORKMEN 19 LAW OF CONSPIRACY LIMITED IN APPLICATION 20 IMMUNITY FROM CIVIL SUIT IN CERTAIN CASES 21 ENFORCEABILITY OF AGREEMENT 22 REGISTRATION OF FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS 23 RETURNS 24 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT 25 NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION 26 BENCHES OF THE COMMISSION, ETC 27 ADDITIONAL POWERS OF THE COMMISSION 28 APPEALS 29 FINALITY OF ORDER

30 DETERMINATION, ETC, OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT 31 POWER TO MAKE REGULATIONS 32 CHECK OFF 33 SHOP STEWARD TO ACT AS LINK BETWEEN LABOUR AND MANAGEMENT 34 JOINT MANAGEMENT BOARD 35 INSPECTOR 36 PENALTY FOR OBSTRUCTING INSPECTOR 37 PENALTY FOR CONTRAVENING SECTION 34 OR SECTION 35, ETC 38 WORKS COUNCIL 39 FUNCTIONS OF WORKS COUNCIL 40 REDRESS OF INDIVIDUAL GRIEVANCES 41 NEGOTIATIONS RELATING TO DIFFERENCES AND DISPUTES 42 CONCILIATOR 43 NOTICE OF STRIKE OR LOCKOUT 44 CONCILIATION AFTER NOTICE OF STRIKE OR LOCKOUT 45 PROCEEDINGS BEFORE CONCILIATOR 46 ARBITRATION 47 STRIKE AND LOCKOUT 48 STRIKE OR, LOCK OUT IN PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICES 49 APPLICATION TO LABOUR COURT 50 RAISING OF INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE BY FEDERATION 51 LABOUR COURT 52 PROCEDURE AND POWERS OF LABOUR COURT 53 AWARDS AND DECISIONS OF LABOUR COURT 54 LABOUR APPELLATE TRIBUNAL 55 SETTLEMENTS AND AWARDS ON WHOM BINDING 56 EFFECTIVE DATE OF SETTLEMENT, AWARD, ETC 57 COMMENCEMENT AND CONCLUSION OF PROCEEDINGS 58 CERTAIN MATTERS TO BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL 59 RAISING OF INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES 60 PROHIBITION OF SERVING NOTICE OF STRIKE OR LOCKOUT WHILE PROCEEDINGS PENDING 61 POWERS OF LABOUR COURT AND TRIBUNAL TO PROHIBIT STRIKE, ETC 62 ILLEGAL STRIKES AND LOCKOUT 63 PROCEDURE IN CASES OF ILLEGAL STRIKES OR LOCKOUT 64 CONDITIONS OF SERVICE TO REMAIN UNCHANGED WHILE PROCEEDINGS PENDING 65 REMOVAL OF FIXED ASSETS 67 PROTECTION OF CERTAIN PERSONS 68 REPRESENTATION OF PARTIES 69 INTERPRETATION OF SETTLEMENT AND AWARDS

70 RECOVERY OF MONEY DUE FROM AN EMPLOYER UNDER SETTLEMENT OR AWARD 71 PERFORMANCE OF FUNCTIONS PENDING ASCERTAINMENT OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT 72 PENALTY FOR UNFAIR LABOUR PRACTICES 73 PENALTY FOR COMMITTING BREACH OF SETTLEMENT 74 PENALTY FOR FAILING TO IMPLEMENT SETTLEMENT, ETC 75 PENALTY FOR DISCHARGING OFFICER OF TRADE UNION IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, ETC 76 PENALTY FOR DISCHARGING OFFICER OF TRADE UNION IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, ETC 77 PENALTY FOR EMBEZZLEMENT OR MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS 78 PENALTY FOR OTHER OFFENCES 79 OFFENCE TO BE NONCOGNIZABLE 80 OFFENCES BY CORPORATION 81 TRIAL OF OFFENCES 82 INDEMNITY 83 REGISTRAR, ETC, TO BE PUBLIC SERVANTS 84 LIMITATION 85 POWER TO MAKE RULES 86 TRANSFER OF PENDING PROCEEDINGS 87 REPEAL AND SAVINGS 88 FORMER REGISTRATION OFFICES, OFFICERS, ETC, TO CONTINUE 89 REMOVAL OF DIFFICULTIES SCHEDULE PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICES

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 2008 ACT NO.IV of 2008 An Act to consolidated and rationalize the law relating to formation of trade unions, and improvement of relations between employers and workman. WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and rationalize the law relating to formation of trade unions, regulation of relations between employers and workman and the avoidance and settlement of any differences or disputes arising between them or matters connected therewith and ancillary thereto; It is hereby enacted as follows: PRELIMINARY

1. Short title, extent, application and commencement. (1) This Act may be called the Industrial Relations Act, 2008.

(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan.

(3) It shall apply to all persons employed in any establishment or industry, but shall not apply to any person employed

(a) in the Police or any of the Defence Services of Pakistan or any services or installations exclusively connected with or incidental to the Armed Forces of Pakistan including an Ordnance Factory maintained by the Federal Government;

(b) in the administration of the State other than those employed as workmen by the Railway and Pakistan Post;

(c) as a member of the Security Staff of the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation, or drawing wages in pay group, not lower than group V, in the establishment of that Corporation as the Federal Government may, in the public interest or in the interest of security of the Airlines, by notification in the official Gazette, specify in this behalf;

(d) by the Pakistan Security Printing Corporation or the Security Papers Limited;

(e) by an establishment or institution for the treatment or care of sick, infirm, destitute or mentally unfit persons excluding those run on commercial basis;

(f) as a member of the Watch and Ward, Security or Fire Service Staff of an oil refinery, an airport or seaport; and

(g) as a member of the Security or Fire Service Staff of an establishment engaged in the production, transmission or distribution of natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas.

(4) It shall come into force at once.

2. Definitions. In this Act unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,

(i) “arbitrator” means a person appointed as such under section 47;

(ii) “award” means the determination by a Labour Court, Arbitrator or Appellate Tribunal of any industrial dispute or any matter relating thereto and includes an interim award;

(iii) “collective bargaining agent” in relation to an establishment or industry, means the trade union of the workmen which under section 24, is the agent of workmen in the establishment or, as the case may be, industry, in the matter of collective bargaining;

(iv) “collective bargaining unit” means those workers or class of workers of an employer in one or more establishment falling within the same class of industry whose terms and conditions of employment are, or could appropriately be, the subject of collective bargaining together;

(v) “Commission” means the National Industrial Relations Commission constituted under section 25;

(vi) “conciliation proceedings” means any proceedings before a conciliator;

(vii) “Conciliator” means,

(a) in respect of disputes which the National Industrial Relations Commission is competent to adjudicate and determine, a person appointed as such under sub section (2) of section 43; and

(b) in respect of other disputes, a person appointed as such under subsection (1) of that section;

(viii) “employer” in relation to an establishment, means any person or body of persons, whether incorporated or not, who or which employs workmen in the establishment under a contract of employment and includes

(a) an heir, successor or assign, as the case may be, of such person or body as aforesaid;

(b) any person responsible for the management, supervision and control of the establishment;

(c) in relation to an establishment run by or under the authority of any department of the Federal Government or Provincial

Government, the authority appointed in this behalf or, where no authority is so appointed, the Head of the department;

(d) in relation to an establishment run by or on behalf of a local authority, the officer appointed in this behalf, or where no officer is so appointed, the chief executive officer of that authority; Explanation. For the purpose of distinction from the category of “workers” or “workmen”, officers and employees of a department of the Federal Government or a Provincial Government or local authority who belong to the superior, managerial, secretarial, directorial, supervisory or agency staff and who have been notified for this purpose in the official Gazette shall be deemed to fall within the category of “employers”; and

(e) in relation to any other establishment, the proprietor of such establishment and every director, manager, secretary, agent or officer or person concerned with the management of the affairs thereof;

(ix) “establishment” means any office, firm, factory, society, undertaking, company, shop, premises or enterprise, which employs workmen directly or through a contractor for the purpose of carrying on any business or industry and includes all its departments and branches, whether situated in the same place or in different places and except in section 30 includes a collective bargaining unit, if any, constituted by any establishment or group of establishments;

(x) “executive” means the body, by whatever name called, to which the management of the affairs of a trade union is entrusted by its constitution;

(xi) “illegal lockout” means a lockout declared, commenced or continues otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(xii) “illegal strike” means a strike declared, commenced or continues otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(xiii) “industrial dispute” means any dispute or difference between employers and employers or between employers and workmen or between workmen and workmen which is connected with the employment or nonemployment or the terms of employment or the conditions of work of any person, and is not in respect of the enforcement of such right guaranteed or accrued to him by or under any law other than this Act, or any award or settlement for

the time being in force;

(xiv) “industry” means any business, trade, manufacture, calling, service, employment or occupation of producing goods or services for sale excluding those set up for charitable purposes;

(xv) “inspector” means an inspector appointed under this Act;

(xvi) “Labour Court” means a Labour Court established under section 52;

(xvii) “lockout” means the closing of place of employment or part of such place, or the suspension, wholly or partly, of work by an employer, or refusal, absolute or conditional, by an employer to continue to employ any number of workmen employed by him, where such closing, suspension or refusal occurs in connection with an industrial dispute or is intended for the purpose of compelling workmen employed to accept certain terms and conditions of or affecting employment;

(xviii) “officer” in relation to a trade union, means any member of the executive thereof but does not include an auditor or legal adviser;

(xix) “organization” means any organization of workers or of employers for furthering and defending the interests of workers or of employers;

(xx) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules;

(xxi) “public utility service” means any of the services specified in the Schedule;

(xxii) “registered trade union” means a trade union registered under this Act;

(xxiii) “Registrar” means a Registrar of trade unions appointed under section 14;

(xxiv) “rules” means rules made under this Act;

(xxv) “settlement” means a settlement arrived at in the course of a conciliation proceeding, and includes an agreement between an employer and his workmen arrived at otherwise than in the course of any conciliation proceedings, where such agreement is in writing, has been signed by the parties thereto in such manner as may be prescribed and a copy thereof has been sent to the Provincial Government, the Conciliator and such other person as may be prescribed;

(xxvi) “strike” means a cessation of work by a body of persons employed in

any establishment acting in combination or a concerted refusal, or refusal under a common understanding of any number of persons who are or have been so employed to continue to work or to accept employment;

(xxvii) “trade union” means any combination of workmen or employers formed primarily for the purpose of regulating the relations between workmen and employers, or workmen and workmen or employers and employers, or for imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business and includes a federation of two or more trade unions;

(xxviii) “Tribunal” means a Labour Appellate Tribunal constituted under section 55; and

(xxix) “worker” and “workman” mean person not failing within the definition of employer who is employed (including employment as a supervisor or as an apprentice) in an establishment or industry for hire or reward either directly or through a contractor whether the terms of employment express or implied, and, for the purpose of any proceedings under this Act in relation to an industrial dispute includes a person who has been dismissed, discharged, retrenched, laidoff or otherwise removed from employment in connection with or as a consequence of that dispute or whose dismissal, discharge, retrenchment, layoff, or removal has led to that dispute but does not include any person who is employed mainly in managerial or administrative capacity.

3. Trade unions and freedom of association. Subject to the provisions of this Act and notwithstanding any other law for the time being in force,

(a) workers, without distinction whatsoever, shall have the right to establish and, subject to the rules of the organization concerned, to join international associations of their own choice without previous authorization:

Provided that no worker shall be entitled to be a member of more than one trade union at any one time and on joining another union the earlier membership shall automatically stand cancelled;

(b) employers, without distinction whatsoever, shall have the right to establish and, subject only to the rules of the organization concerned, to join international associations of their own choice without previous authorization;

(c) every trade union and employers association shall frame its own constitution and rules to elect its representatives in full freedom to organize its administration and activities and to formulate its programmes; and

(d) workers’ and employers’ organizations shall have the right to establish and join federations and confederations and any such organization, federation or confederation shall have the right to affiliate with international organizations and confederations of workers’ and employers’ organizations.

4. Application for registration. Any trade union may, under the signature of its President and the Secretary, apply to the Registrar for registration of the trade union under this Act.

5. Requirements for application. Every application for registration of Trade Union shall be made to the Registrar and shall be accompanied by

(a) a statement showing

(i) the name of the trade union and the address of its Head Office;

(ii) date of formation of the union;

(iii) the titles, names, ages, addresses and occupations of the officers of the trade union;

(iv) statement of total paid membership;

(v) the name of the establishment or group of establishments, or the industry, as the case may be, to which the trade union relates along with a statement of the total number of workers employed therein;

(vi) the names and addresses of the registered trade unions in the establishment group of establishments or industry, as the case may be, to which the union relates; and

(vii) in case of a federation of trade unions, the names, addresses and registration number of memberunions;

(b) three copies of the constitution of the trade union together with a copy of the resolution by the members of the trade union adopting such constitution bearing the signature of the Chairman of the meeting;

(c) a copy of the resolution by the members of the trade union authorizing its President and the Secretary to apply for its registration; and

(d) in case of a federation of trade unions, a copy of the resolution from each of the constituent unions agreeing to become a member of the federation.

6. Requirements for registration. (1) A trade union shall not be entitled to

registration under this Act unless the constitution thereof provide for the following matters, namely.

(a) the name and address of the trade union;

(b) the objects for which the trade union has been formed;

(d) the number of persons forming the executive which shall not exceed the prescribed limit and shall include not less than seventy five percent from amongst the workmen actually engaged or employed in the establishment or establishments or the industry for which the trade union has been formed;

(e) the conditions under which a member shall be entitle to any benefit assured by the constitution of the trade union and under which any fine or forfeiture may be imposed on him;

(f) the maintenance of a list of the members of the trade union and of adequate facilities for the inspection thereof by the officers and members of the trade union;

(g) the manner in which the constitution shall be amended, varied or rescinded;

(h) the safe custody of the funds of the trade union, its annual audit, the manner of audit and adequate facilities for inspection of the account books by the officers and members of the trade union;

(i) the manner in which the trade union may be dissolved;

(j) the manner of election of officers by the general body of the trade union and the term, not exceeding two years, for which an officer may hold office upon his election or re election;

(k) the procedure for expressing no confidence in any officer of the trade union; and

(l) the meeting of the executive and of the general body of the trade union so that the executive shall meet at least once in every three months and the general body at least once a year.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of subsection (1), a trade union of workmen shall not be entitled to registration under this Act

(a) unless all its members are workmen actually engaged or employed in the industry with which the trade union is connected; and

(b) where there are two or more registered trade unions in the establishment, group of establishments or industry with which the trade union is connected, unless it has as its members not less than onefifth of the total number of workmen employed in such establishment, group of establishments or industry, as the case may be.

Section 7. Disqualification for being an officer of a trade union

Notwithstanding anything contained in the constitution or rules of a trade union, a person who has been convicted of offence under section 78 or heinous offence under the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860) shall be disqualified from being elected as, or from being, an officer of a trade union.

Section 8. Registered trade union to maintain register, etc

Every registered trade union shall maintain in such form as may be prescribed

(a) a register of members showing particulars of subscriptions paid by each member;

(b) an accounts book showing receipts and expenditure; and

Section 9. Registration

(1) The Registrar, on being satisfied that the trade union has complied with all the requirements of this Act, shall register the trade union in a prescribed register and issue a registration certificate in the prescribed form within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of the application. In case the application is found by the Registrar to be deficient in a material respect he shall communicate in writing his objections to the trade union within a period of fifteen days from the receipt of the application and the trade union shall reply thereto within a period of fifteen days from the receipt of the objections.

(2) When the objections raised by the Registrar have been satisfactorily met, the Registrar shall register the trade union as provided in sub section (1) and issue a certificate of registration in the prescribed form within three days of the date of the objections having been so met. In case the objections are not satisfactorily met, the Registrar may reject the application.

(3) In case the application has been rejected or the Registrar has delayed disposal of the application beyond the period of fifteen days provided in subsection (1) or has not issued a certificate of registration within a period of three days as provided in subsection (2), as the case may be, the trade union may appeal to the Labour Court who for reasons to be stated in its judgment may pass an order directing the Registrar to register the trade union and to issue a certificate of registration or may dismiss the appeal.

(4) Notwithstanding anything constrained in any other provision of this Act, very alteration made in the constitution of a registered trade union and every change of its officers shall be notified by registered post by the trade union to the Registrar within fifteen days of such change.

(5) The Registrar may refuse to register such change or alteration if it is in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act, or if it is in violation of the constitution of the trade union.

(6) Subject to the provision of subsection (5), every inclusion or exclusion of any constituent unit of a federation of trade unions shall be notified by registered post by the federation to the Registrar within fifteen days of such inclusion or exclusion.

(7) In case there is a dispute in relation to the change of officers of a trade union, or any trade union is aggrieved by the refusal of the Registrar under subsection (5), any officer or member of the trade union may apply or appeal to the Labour Court, who shall within seven days of receipt of the application or appeal, as the case may be, pass an order either directing the Registrar to register the change or alteration in the constitution or in the officers of the trade union or may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, direct the registrar to hold fresh elections of the union under his supervision.

10. Transfer, etc., of officer of trade union during pendency of application for registration. Save with the prior permission of the Registrar, no officer of a trade union of workmen shall be transferred, discharged, dismissed or otherwise punished during the pendency of an application for registration of the trade union with the Registrar, provided that the union has notified the names of its officers to be employer in writing.

Section 11. Certificate of registration

The Registrar, on registering a trade union under section 9, shall issue a certificate of registration in the prescribed form which shall be conclusive evidence that trade union has been duly registered under this Act.

Section 12. Cancellation of registration

(1) The registration of a trade union shall be cancelled if the Labour Court so directs upon a complaint in writing made by the registrar that the trade union has

(a) contravened or has been registered in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or the rules;

(b) contravened any of the provisions of its constitution; or

(2) Where any person who is disqualified under section 7 from being elected as, or from being, an officer of a trade union is elected as an officer of a registered trade union, the registration of that trade union shall be cancelled if the Labour court, upon a complaint in writing made in this behalf by the Registrar, so directs.

(3) The registration of a trade union shall be cancelled by the Registrar if, after holding such inquiry as he deems fit, he finds that such trade union has dissolved itself or has ceased to exist.

13. Appeal against cancellation. Any trade union aggrieved by an order passed__

(a) by the Labour Court under subsection (1) or subsection (2) of section 12

may prefer appeal to the Tribunal within thirty days of the passing of the said order; or

(b) by the Register under subsection (3) of section 12 may prefer appeal to the Labour Court within thirty days of the passing of the said order.

14. Registrar of trade unions. For the purpose of this Act, the Provincial Government shall, by notification in the official Gazette, appoint as many persons as it considers necessary to be Registrars of trade unions and, where it appoints more than one Registrars, shall specify in the notification the area within which each one of them shall exercise and perform the powers and functions under this

Act.

15. Powers and functions of Registrar. The Registrar shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) the registration of trade unions under this Act and the maintenance of a register for the purpose;

(b) to lodge, or authorize any person to lodge, complaints with the Labour Court or Commission for action, including prosecution, against trade unions, employers, workers or other persons for any alleged offence or any unfair labour practice or violation of any provision of the Act or for expending the funds of a trade union in contravention of the provisions of its constitution;

(c) the determination of the question as to which one of the trade unions in an establishment or an industry is entitled to be certified as the collective bargaining agent in relation to that establishment or industry;

(d) to inspect the accounts and record of the registered trade unions, or investigate or hold such inquiry in the affairs of the trade unions as he deems fit either by himself or through any officer subordinate to him and to authorize him in writing in this behalf; and

(e) such other powers and function as may be prescribed.

Section 16. Incorporation of registered trade union

(1) Every registered trade union shall be a body corporate by the name under which it is registered, shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and the power to contract and to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and shall by the said name sue or be sued.

(2) The Societies Registration Act, 1860 (XXIV of 1860), the Co operative Societies Act, 1925 (W.P.Act VII of 1925) and the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984), shall not apply to any registered trade union and the registration of any trade union under any of these Acts shall be void.

Section 17. Unfair labour practices on the part of employers

(1) No employer or trade union of employers and no person acting on behalf of either shall

(a) impose any condition in a contract of employment seeking to restrain

the right of a person who is a party to such contract to joint a trade union or continue his membership of a trade union;

(b) refuse to employ or refuse to continue to employ any person on the ground that such person is, or is not a member or officer of a trade union;

(c) discriminate against any person in regard to any employment, promotion, condition of employment or working condition on the ground that such person is, or is not, a member or officer of a trade union;

(d) dismiss, discharge, remove from employment or transfer or threaten to dismiss, discharge or remove from employment or transfer a workman or injure or threaten to injure him in respect of his employment by reason that the workman.

(a) is or proposes to become, or seeks to persuade any other person to become, a member or officer of a trade union; or

(b) participate in the promotion, formation or activities of a trade union;

(e) induce any person to refrain from becoming, or to cease to be a member or officer of a trade union, by conferring or offering to confer any advantage on, or by procuring or offering to procure any advantage for such person or any other person;

(f) compel or attempt to compel any officer of the collective bargaining agent to arrive at a settlement by unsing intimidation, coercion, pressure, threat, confinement to a place, physical injury, disconnection of water, power and telephone facilities and such other methods;

(g) interfere with or in any way influence the balloting provided for in section 24;

(h) recruit any new workman during the period of a notice of strick under section 44 or during the currency of a strike which is not illegal except where the Conciliator having been satisfied that complete cessation of work is likely to cause serious damage to the machinery or installation, has permitted temporary employment of a limited number of workmen in the section where the damage is likely to occur;

(i) close down the whole of the establishment in contravention of Standing Order 11A of the Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968 (W.P. Ord. VI of 1968); or

(j) Commence, continue, instigate or incite others to take part in , or expend or supply money or otherwise act in furtherance or support of, an illegal lockout.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall be deemed to preclude an employer from requiring that a person upon his appointment or promotion to managerial position shall

cease to be, and shall be disqualified from being, a member or officer of a trade union of workmen.

Section 18. Unfair labour practices on the part of a workmen

(1) No workmen or other person or trade union of workmen shall

(a) persuade a workman to join or refrain from joining a trade union during working hours;

(b) intimidate any person to become, or refrain from becoming, or to continue to be, or to cease to be a member or officer of a trade union;

(c) induce any person to refrain from becoming, or cease to be a member or officer of a trade union, by intimidating or conferring or offering to confer any advantage on, or by procuring or offering to procure any advantage for such person or any other person;

(d) compel or attempt to compel the employer to accept any demand by using intimidation, coercion, pressure threat, confinement to, or ouster from, a place, dispossession, assault, physical injury, disconnection of telephone, water or power facilities or such other methods; or

(e) commence, continue, instigate or incite others to take part in, or expend or supply money or otherwise act in furtherance or support of, an illegal strike or a goslow. Explanation. In clause (e) the expression. ‘goslow’ means an organized, deliberate and purposeful slowing down of normal output, or the deterioration of the normal quality of work by a body of workmen acting in a concerted manner, but does not include the slowing down of normal output, or the deterioration of the normal quality of work which is due to mechanical defect, breakdown of machinery, failure or defect in power supply or in the supply of normal materials and spare parts of machinery.

(2) It shall be an unfair practice for a trade union to interfere with a ballot held under section 24 by the exercise of undue influence, intimidation, impersonation or bribery through its executive or through any person acting on its behalf.

19. Law of conspiracy limited in application. No officer or member of a registered trade union or a collective bargaining agent as certified by the Registrar shall be liable to punishment under sub section (2) of section 120B of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860), in respect of any agreement made between the members thereof for the purpose of furthering any such object of the trade union as is specified in its constitution referred to in section 6, unless the agreement is an agreement to commit an offence, or otherwise violates any other law for the time being in force.

Section 20. Immunity from civil suit in certain cases

(1) No suit or other legal proceedings shall be maintainable in any civil court against any registered trade union or a collective bargaining agent or any officer or member thereof in respect of any action done in contemplation or furtherance of an industrial dispute to which the trade union is a party on the ground only that such act induces some other person to break a contract of employment, or that it is an interference with the trade, business or employment of some

other person or with the right of some other person to dispose of his capital or of his labour as he wills.

(2) A trade union shall not be liable in any suit or other legal proceedings in any civil court in respect of any tortuous act done in good faith in contemplation or furtherance of an industrial dispute by an agent of the trade union if it is proved that such person acted without the knowledge of, or contrary to express instructions given by, the executive of the trade union.

21. Enforceability of agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, an agreement between the members of a trade union shall not be void or voidable by reason only that any of the objects of the agreement are in restraint of trade:

Provided that nothing in this section shall enable any civil court to entertain any legal proceedings instituted for the express purpose of enforcing, or recovering damages for the breach of any agreement concerning the conditions on which any member of a trade union shall or shall not sell their goods, transact business or work, employ or be employed.

Section 22. Registration of federation of trade unions

(1) Any two or more registered trade unions may, if their respective general bodies so resolved, constitute a federation by executing an instrument of federation and apply to the Registrar for the registration of the federation:

Provided that a trade union of workmen shall not join a federation which comprises a trade union of employers; nor shall a trade union of employers join a federation which comprises a trade union of workmen.

(2) An instrument of federation referred to in subsection (1) shall, among other things, provide for the procedures to be followed by the federated trade unions and the rights and responsibilities of the federation and the federated trade union.

(3) An application for the registration of a federation of trade unions shall be signed by the Presidents of all the trade unions constituting the federation or by the officers of these trade unions respectively authorized by the trade unions in this behalf and shall be accompanied by three copies of the instrument of federation referred to in subsection (1).

(4) Subject to subsections (1), (2) and (3), the provisions of the Act shall, so far as may be and with the necessary modifications, apply to a federation of trade unions as they apply to a trade union.

Section 23. Returns

(1) There shall be sent annually to the Registrar, on or before such date as may be prescribed, a general statement, audited in the prescribed manner, of all receipts and expenditure of every registered trade union during the year ending on the 31stday of December, next preceding such prescribed date, and of the assets and liabilities of the trade union existing on such 31stday of December, as may be prescribed.

(2) Together with the general statement there shall be sent to the Registrar a statement showing all changes of officers made by the trade union during the year to which the general statement refers, together also with statement of the total paid membership and a copy of the constitution of the trade union corrected up to the date of

the dispatch thereof to the Registrar.

(3) A copy of every alteration made in the constitution of a registered trade union and of a resolution of the general body having the effect of a provision of the constitution, shall be sent to the Registrar within fifteen days of the making of the alteration or adoption of the resolution.

(4) In case the registered trade union is member of a federation, the name of the federation shall be given in the annual statement.

Section 24. Collective bargaining agent

(1) Where there is only one registered trade union in an establishment or a group of establishments, that trade union shall if it has as its members not less than onethird of the total number of workmen employed in such establishment or group of establishments, upon an application made in this behalf be certified by the Registrar in the prescribed manner to be the collective bargaining agent for such establishment or group.

(2) Where there are more registered trade unions than one in an establishment or a group of establishments, the Registrar shall upon an application made in this behalf by onefifth of the total number of workmen employed in such establishment or group of establishments or by the employer or the Government, hold within fifteen days from the making of the application, a secret ballot to determine as to which one of such trade unions shall be the collective bargaining agent for the establishment or group:

Provided that the Registrar may, in the case of a large establishment having its branches in more than one town, hold the secret ballot within thirty days from the making of the application:

Provided further that the Registrar shall not entertain any application under this subsection in respect of an establishment or group of establishments, consisting of, or including, a seasonal factory within the meaning of section 4 of the Factories Act, 1934 (XXV of 1934), unless such application is made during the month in which the number of workmen employed in such factory in a year is usually the maximum.

(3) Upon receipt of an application under subsection (2), the Registrar shall, by notice in writing call upon every registered trade union in the establishment or group of establishments to which the application relates

(a) to indicate whether it desires to be a contestant in the secret ballot to be held for determining the collective bargaining agent in relation to such establishment or group; and

(b) if it so desires, to submit to him within the time specified in the notice a list of its members showing, in respect of each member, his parentage, age, the section or department and the place in which he is employed, his ticket number and the date of his becoming a member and if union is a federation of trade unions, a list of its affiliated trade unions together with a list of members of each such trade union showing in respect of each such member the said particulars.

(4) Every employer shall

(a) on being so required by the Registrar, submit a list of all workmen employed in the establishment excluding those whose period of employment in the establishment is less than three months and showing, in respect of each workman, his parentage, age, the section or department and the place in which he is employed, his ticket number and the date of his employment in the establishment; and

(b) provide such facilities for verification of the lists submitted by him and the trade unions as the Registrar may require:

Provided that, in computing the period of three months referred to in clause (a) in the case of a workman employed in a seasonal factory within the meaning of section 4 of the Factories Act, 1934 (XXV of 1934), the period during which he was employed in that factory during the preceding season shall also be taken into account.

(5) The Registrar shall, after verification of the lists submitted by the trade unions, prepare a list of voters in which shall be included the name of every workman whose period of employment as computed in accordance with subsection (4), is not less than three months and who is a member of any of the contesting trade unions and shall, at least four days prior to the date fixed for the poll, send to each of the contesting trade unions a certified copy of the list of voters so prepared.

(6) Every workman who is a member of any of the contesting trade unions and whose name appears in the list of voters prepared under subsection (5) shall be entitled to vote at the poll to determine the collective bargaining agent.

(7) Every employer shall provide all such facilities in his establishment as may be required by the Registrar for the conduct of the poll but shall not interfere with, or in any way influence, the voting.

(8) No person shall canvass for vote within a radius of fifty metres of the polling station.

(9) For the purpose of holding secret ballot to determine the collective bargaining agent, the Registrar shall

(a) fix the date for the poll and intimate the same to each of the contesting trade unions and also to every employer;

(b) on the date fixed for the poll so placed in the polling station set up for the purpose the ballot boxes which shall be sealed in the presence of the representatives of the contesting trade unions as to receive the ballot papers;

(c) conduct the poll at the polling station at which the representatives of the contesting trade unions shall have the right to be present;

(d) after the conclusion of the poll and in the presence of such of the representatives of the contesting trade unions as may be present, open the ballot boxes and count the votes; and

(e) after the conclusion of the count, certify the trade union which has received the highest number of votes to be the collective bargaining agent:

Provided that no trade union shall be certified to be the collective bargaining agent for an establishment or group of establishments unless the number of votes received by it is not less than onethird of the total number of workmen employed in such establishment or group:

Provided further that, if no trade union secures such number of votes in the first poll, a second poll shall be held between the trade unions which secure the two highest numbers of votes in the first poll and the trade union which secures a majority of the votes cast at the second poll shall be certified in the prescribed manner to be the collective bargaining agent:

Provided further that, if the number of votes secured by two or more trade unions securing the highest number of votes is equal, further poll hall be held between them until one of them secures a majority of the votes cast at such further poll.

(10) If no trade union indicates under clause (a) of subsection(3) that it desires to be a contestant in the secret ballot, the Registrar shall certify the trade union which has made the application under subsection (2) to be the collective bargaining agent.

(11) where a registered trade union has been certified under clause (e) of subsection (9) to be the collective bargaining agent for an establishment or group of establishments, no application for the determination of the collective bargaining agent for such establishment or group shall be entertained within a period of two years from the date of such certification except where the registration of such certification except where the registration of such a registered trade union is cancelled before the expiration of the period.

(12) A collective bargaining agent may, without prejudice to its own position, implead as a party to any proceedings under this Act to which it is itself a party or any federation of trade unions of which it is a member.

(13) The collective bargaining agent in relation to an establishment or group of establishments shall be entitled to

(a) undertake collective bargaining with the employer or employers on matters connected with employment, non employment, the term of employment or the conditions of work other than matters which relate to the enforcement of any right guaranteed or secured to it or any workman by or under any law, other than this Act, or any award or settlement;

(b) represent all or any of the workmen in any proceeding;

(d) nominate representatives of workmen on the Board of Trustees of any welfare institutions or Provident Funds and of the Workers Participation Fund established under the Companies Profits (Workers Participation) Act, 1968(XII of 1968).

(14) The Registrar may authorize in writing an officer to perform all or any of his functions under this section.

Section 25. National Industrial Relations Commission

(1)The Federal Government shall constitute a National Industrial Relations Commission.

(2) The Commission shall consist of not less than seven members, including the Chairman.

(3) The qualification for appointment as a member or as the Chairman of the Commission shall be such as may be determined by the Federal Government.

(4) The Chairman and other members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Federal Government.

(5) Two of the members shall be appointed in the prescribed manner to advise the Chairman, one to represent the employers and the other to represent industrywise trade unions, federations of such trade unions and federations at the national level.

(6) The Chairman of the Commission may, in addition to the representatives of workers appointed to the Commission, coopt, in cases where he deems it necessary, from amongst workers belonging to federations at the national level such representatives of workers as he may deem fit.

(7) The worker's representative coopted under subsection (6) shall be entitled to such honorarium as the Federal Government may, on the advice of the Chairman of the Commission, determine.

(8) The following shall be the functions of the Commission, namely.—

(a) to promote the formation of trade unions of workers within the same industry whether in establishments within a Province or in more than one Province and federations of such trade union;

(b) to promote the formation of federations at the national level;

(c) to adjudicate and determine a industrial dispute to which an industrywise trade union or a federation of such trade unions is a party and which is not confined to matters of purely local nature and any other industrial dispute which is, in the opinion of the Federal Government, of national importance and is referred to it by that Government;

(d) to register industrywise trade unions, federations of such trade unions and federations at the national level;

(e) to determine the collective bargaining agents amongst industrywise trade unions, federations of such trade unions and federations at the national level;

(f) to try offences punishable under

(i) section 72 other than subsection (1) and (6) thereof; and

(ii) any other section, in so far as they relate to employers or workers in relation to an industrywise trade union, a federation of such trade unions, a federation at the national level or officers of such union or federation;

(g) to deal with cases of unfair labour practices specified in sections 17 and 18 on the part of employers, workers, trade unions of either of them or persons acting on behalf of any of them, whether committed individually or collectively, in the manner laid down under section 41 or section 50 or in such other way as may be prescribed, and to take, in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations under section 31, measures calculated to prevent an employer or workman from committing an unfair labour practice;

(h) to advise Government, industrywise trade unions and federations in respect to the education of workers in the essentials of trade unionism, including education in respect of their right and obligations, and to secure the provision of facilities required therefore, and to apportion the cost thereof between the Provincial and Federal Governments industrywise trade unions, federations of such trade unions and federations at the national level, and the employers, in such manner as may be considered equitable by the Commission; and

(i) such other powers and functions as the Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, assign to it from time to time.

(9) The Commission may, on the application of a party, or of its own motion

(a) initiate prosecution, trial or proceedings, or take action, with regard to any matter relating to its functions;

(b) withdraw from a Labour Court any application, proceedings or appeal relating to unfair labour practice; or

(10) For the purpose of dealing with a case of unfair labour practice of which the Commission is seized, the Commission may

(a) proceed directly with the case;

(b) ask the Registrar within whose jurisdiction the case has occurred or is likely to occur to enquire into it and submit a report; or

(c) refer the case to a Labour Court within whose jurisdiction the case has occurred or is likely to occur, either for report or for disposal.

(11) The Labour Court to whom the case is so referred shall enquire into it and, if the case was referred to it for report, forward its report thereon to the Commission or, if the case was referred to it for disposal, continue the proceedings and dispose of the case as if the proceedings had originally commenced before it and grant such relief as the Commission has the power to grant.

(12) Save as provided in subsections (11) and (13) no Registrar, Labour Court or Tribunal shall take any action, or entertain any application or proceedings, in respect of any matter which falls within the jurisdiction of the Commission.

(13) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to exclude the jurisdiction of a Labour Court to entertain cases of unfair labour practices on the part of employers or workmen, whether individually or collectively:

Provided that no Court, including Labour Court, shall take any action or entertain any application or proceedings in respect of a case of unfair labour practice which is being dealt with by the Commission. Explanation.In this section and in the succeeding provisions of this Act, the expressions “industrywise trade union” “federation of such trade unions” and "federation at the national level" refer to a trade union membership of which extends to establishments in more than one Province and a federation of trade unions whose membership extends to registered trade unions in more then one Province.

26. Benches of the Commission, etc. (1) The Chairman shall exercise general superintendence over its affairs.

(2) for the efficient performance of the functions of the Commission, the Chairman shall constitute

(a) a Full Bench of the Commission which shall consist of not less than three members of the Commission; and

(b) as many other Benches of the Commission consisting of one or more members of the Commission as he may deem fit.

(3) The Benches shall

(a) in relation to cases based on allegations of unfair labour practices brought before the Commission for trial of offences, or enforcement of, or for redress of individual grievances in respect of, any right guaranteed or secured to any employer or worker by or under any law or any award or settlement, perform such functions and exercise such powers as are performed and exercised by a Labour Court; and

(b) in relation to industrywise trade unions, federations of such trade unions, federations at the national level and cases referred to the

Commission, perform such functions and exercise such powers as are performed and exercised by a Registrar, a Labour Court or a Tribunal in relation to trade unions and federations of trade unions within a Province, and, for this purpose, any reference in this Act to a "Registrar”, “Labour Court", or as the case may be, "Tribunal" shall be deemed to be a reference to the appropriate Bench of the Commission to which such functions are assigned:

Provided that, in the performance of those functions and in the exercise of those powers, the Benches shall, unless otherwise provided in this Act, follow the procedure laid down in the regulations to be made under section 31.

(4) if any member of the Commission is absent from, or is otherwise unable to attend any sitting of the commission or of a Bench consisting of more than one members of which he is a member, the proceedings of the Commission or Bench may continue, and the decision or award may be given or judgment or sentence may be passed in the absence of such member, and no act, proceedings, decision, or award of the Commission or Bench shall be invalid or be called in question merely on the ground of such absence or of the existence of vacancy in or any defect in the constitution of the Commission or Bench.

(5) if the members of a Bench differ in opinion as to the decision to be given on any point,

(a) the point shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority, if there is a majority; and

(b) If the members are equally divided, they shall state, the point on which they differ and the case shall be referred by them to the Chairman for hearing on such point by one or more of the other members of the Commission, and such point shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority of the members of the Commission who have heard the case, including those who first heard it:

Provided that if, upon any matter requiring the decision of a Bench which includes the Chairman of the Commission as one of its members, there is a difference of opinion among its members and the members so constituting the Bench are equally divided, the opinion of the Chairman shall prevail and the decision of the Bench hall be expressed in terms of the views of the chairman.

(6) Any order or decision made, award given, sentence passed, power exercised, functions performed or proceedings taken by any Bench of the Commission in accordance withthis Act and the order constituting the Bench shall be deemed to be the order or decision made, award given, sentence passed, power exercised, functions performed or proceedings taken, as the case may be, by the Commission. Explanation. In this section, the expression "The Chairman of the Commission" includes such member of the Commission to be known as Senior Member as the Chairman may nominate to perform the functions, and exercise the

powers of the Chairman during his absence.

27. Additional powers of the Commission. In addition to powers which the Commission has under section 26

(a) the Commission shall have power to punish any person who obstructs or abuses its process or disobeys any of its orders or directions, or does anything which tends to prejudice the case of a party before it, or tends to bring it or any of its members in relation to proceedings of the Commission into hatred or contempt, or does anything which, by law, constitutes contempt of Court, with simple imprisonment which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees, or with both and

(b) for the purposes of any investigation, enquiry or adjudication to be made by the commission under this Act, the Chairman or any member of the commission may at any time between the hours of sunrise and sunset, and any other person authorized in writing by the Chairman or any member of the Commission in this behalf may, after he has given reasonable notice, enter any building, factory, workshop or other place or premises whatsoever and inspect the same or any work, machinery, appliance or article therein or interrogate any person therein in respect of anything situated therein or any matter relevant to matters before the Commission.

Section 28. Appeals

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, or in any other law for the time being in force, any person aggrieved by an award or decision given or a sentence or order determining and certifying a collective bargaining unit passed by any Bench of the Commission, other than a Full Bench, may, within thirty days of such award, decision, sentence or order prefer an appeal to Commission.

(2) An appeal preferred to the Commission under subsection (1) shall be disposed of by the full Bench of the Commission which shall,

(a) if the appeal is from an order determining and certifying a collective bargaining unit, have the power to confirm, set aside, vary or modify such an order; and

(b) if the appeal relates to any other matter, have the same power in relation to the appeal as the Labour Court, the Tribunal or the High Court, as the case may be, would have had if the matter to which the appeal relates were a matter in relation to which an appeal can be preferred to the Labour Court, the Tribunal or the High Court.

29. Finality of order. No court shall entertain any plea as to the jurisdiction of the Commission or as the legality or propriety of anything done or purporting to be done by the commission or any of its Benches, and no order, decision, judgment or sentence of the Commission shall be called in question in any manner, whatsoever, in or before any Court or other authority.

Section 30. Determination, etc., of collective bargaining unit

(1) Where the Commission, on an application made in this behalf, by a trade union of Workmen or a federation of such trade unions, or on a reference made by the Federal Government, after holding such inquiry as it deems fit, is satisfied that for safeguarding the interest of the workmen employed in an establishment or group of establishments belonging to the same employer and the same industry, in relation to collective bargaining, it is necessary, just and feasible to determine one or more collective bargaining units of such workmen in such establishment or group, it may, having regard to the distribution of workers, existing boundaries of the components of such establishment, or group, facilities of communication, general convenience, sameness or similarity of economic activity and other cognate factors,

(a) determine and certify one or more collective bargaining units in such establishment or group;

(b) Specify the modifications which, in consequence of the decision under this section, will take effect in regard to the registration of the trade unions and federations of trade unions affected by such decision and certification of collective bargaining agents among such unions and federations, nomination or election of shop stewards, and workers’ representatives for participation in the management of the factories, if any, affected by such decision;

Provided that the date so specified shall not be a date falling within the period of two years specified in subsection (11) of section 24 in its application to a collective bargaining agent certified in respect of an establishment or establishments:

Provided further that, after the receipt of a reference for determination of a collective bargaining unit, the Commission may stop or prohibit the proceedings to determine collective bargaining agent under section 24 for any establishment or group of establishments which is likely to be affected by a decision under this section,

(d) take such measures or issue such directions to the Registrar as may be necessary to give effect to such modifications; and

(e) determine and certify a collective bargaining agent for each such unit in accordance with section 24 in so far as applicable and with the necessary modifications, if such a unit relates to more than one province, or direct the Registrar to take such action, if such a unit relates to only one province.

(2) Where the commission issues any directions to the Registrar under this section, the Registrar shall comply with them within such period as the Commission may from time to time determine.

(3) After the certification of a collective bargaining unit, no trade union shall be registered in respect of that unit except for the whole of such unit and no certification or proceedings for determination of collective bargaining agent under section 24 shall take place for a part of a collective bargaining unit or a group of collective bargaining units.

(4) an order of the Commission under this section shall have effect notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act.

Section 31. Power to make regulations

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the commission may, with the prior approval of the Federal Government, make such regulations relating to its procedure and the performance of its functions as it may deem fit, and the regulations shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in the Qanune Shahadat, 1984 (P.O.10 of1984), the Code of Criminal procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), the code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908) or any other law for the time being in force.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:

(a) registration of industrywise trade unions, federations of such trade unions and federations at the national level, and the procedure, for such registration;

(b) determination of collective bargaining units;

(c) determination of collective bargaining agent from amongst the industry wise trade unions, federations of such trade unions or, as the case may be, federations at the national level, and the procedure therefore;

(d) procedure, including rules of evidence, for adjudication of industrial dispute;

(e) procedure, including rules of evidence, for trial of offences;

(f) procedure for dealing with unfair labour practices;

(g) superintendence of the Chairman over the affairs of the Commission;

(h) forms of registers, processes and returns in respect of matters relating to the functions of the Commission; and

(i) fixing of places and times of its sitting and deciding whether to sit in public or in private.

Section 32. Check off

(1) if a collective bargaining agent so requests, the employer of the workmen who are members of a trade union shall deduct from the wages of the workmen such amounts towards their subscription to the funds of the trade union as may be specified, with the approval of each individual workman named in the demand statement furnished by the trade union.

(2) An employer making any deductions under subsection (1) shall, within fifteen days of the end of the period for which the deduction have been made, deposit the entire amount so deducted by him in the account of the trade union on whose behalf he has

made the deductions.

(3) A collective bargaining agent shall maintain with a branch of the National Bank of Pakistan or with a Post Office Savings Bank an account to which shall be credited the entire amount deducted by the employer under sub section (1) from the wages of the members of the trade union.

(4) The employer shall provide facilities to the collective bargaining agent for ascertaining whether deductions from the wages of its members are being made under subsection (1).

Section 33. Shop steward to act as link between labour and management

(1) in every establishment in which fifty or more workmen are employed, shop stewards, from amongst the workmen in a shop, section or department of the establishment, shall,—

(a) where there is a collective bargaining agent in the establishment, be nominated by it, or

(b) where there is no collective bargaining agent in the establishment, be elected at a secret ballot held in the prescribed manner.

(2) The employer shall provide all such facilities in his establishment as may be required for the holding of a ballot under subsection (1) but shall not interfere with, or in any way influence, the voting.

(3) A shop steward shall hold office for a period of one year from the date of his election or nomination as the case may be.

(4) Any dispute arising out of, or in connection with, the election of a shop steward shall be referred to the Registrar whose decision shall be final and binding on all parties to the dispute.

(5) The shop steward shall act as a link between the workers and the employer, assist in the improvement of arrangements for the physical working conditions and production work in the shop section or department for which he is elected and help workers in the settlement of their problems either connected with work or with any such individual grievance of a workman as is referred to in sub section (1) of section 41.

Section 34. Workers participation in management

(1) in every factory employing fifty persons or more there shall be elected or nominated workers' representatives to participate to the extent of fifty per cant in the management of the factory:

Provided that there shall be elected or nominated at least one worker's representative to participate in the management of such factory:

Provided further that, for the purpose of determining the number of workers’ representatives in the management of a factory, fractions equal to, or greater than one half shall be regarded as one and lesser fractions shall be ignored.

(2) The workers’ representatives shall be workmen employed in the same factory and shall,

(a) where there is a collective bargaining agent in the factory, be nominated by it, or

(b) where there is no collective bargaining agent in the factory, be elected by simple majority at a secret ballot by all workmen employed in the factory.

(3) The workers’ representatives shall hold office for a period of two years from the date of their election or nomination, as the case may be,

(4) The workers’ representatives shall participate in all the meetings of the management committee constituted in the prescribed manner and all matters relating to the management of the factory, except commercial and financial transaction may be discussed in such meetings.

(5) The management shall not take any decision in the following matters without the advice in writing of the workers’ representatives, namely:

(a) framing of services rules and policy about promotin and discipline of workers;

(b) changing physical working conditions in the factory; (c) inservice training of workers;

(d) recreation and welfare of workers;

(e) regulation of daily working hours and breaks;

(f) preparation of leave schedule; and

(g) matters relating to the order and conduct of workers within the factory.

(6) The workers’ representatives may on their own initiative give advice in writing concerning the matters specified in subsection (5) and, where they do so, the management shall convene a meeting within two weeks of the receipt of the advice to discuss its merits with them.

(7) The management shall give reply to the workers’ representatives within six weeks of the receipt of their advice given under subsection (5) or sub section (6) and any such advice shall not be rejected except by the person holding the highest position in the management of the factory.

(8) In case the advice of the workers’ representatives is rejected by the management of the factory, the matter may, within fifteen days of the advice being so rejected, be taken up by the collective bargaining agent in the Works Council for bilateral negotiations and thereupon the provisions of section 42 shall apply as they apply to the settlement of an industrial dispute in relation to which the views of the employer or the collective bargaining agent have been communicated to the Works Council under subsection (1) of that section.

Section 35. Joint management board

(1) Every company which owns or manages a

factory, and in every factory which is not so owned or managed, and which employs fifty persons or more, the management shall, in the prescribed manner set up a joint management board in which the Workers’ participation shall be to the extent of thirty per cent.

(2) The employer’s representatives on the joint management board shall be from amongst the Directors or senior executives and the workers’ representatives shall be workmen employed in the factory.

(3) The joint management board shall look after the following matters, namely:

(a) improvement in production , productivity and efficiency;

(b) fixation of job and piecerates;

(d) laying down the principles of remuneration and introduction of new remuneration methods; and

(e) provision of minimum facilities for such of the workers employed through contractors as are not covered by the laws relating to welfare of workers.

(4) The joint management board may call for reasonable information about the working of the company or factory from its management and the management shall supply the information called for.

(5) The joint management board shall meet at such intervals as may be prescribed.

(6) The workers’ representative shall hold office for such period as may be prescribed.

(7) In this section,

(a) “company” has the same meaning as in the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984); and

(b) “ management” means the employer.

Section 36. Inspector

(1) The inspectors appointed under section 10 of the Factories Act, 1934 (XXV of 1934), and such other persons, not being Conciliators appointed under this Act, as the Provincial Government may, by notification in the official Gazette appoint, shall be inspectors for ensuring compliance with the provisions of section 34 and section, 35 within the local limits assigned to each.

(2) The inspector may

(a) at all reasonable hours enter on any premises and make such examination of any register and document relating to the provisions of section 34 and section 35 and take on the spot or otherwise such evidence of any person, and

exercise such other powers of inspection, as he may deem necessary for discharging his duty;

(b) call for such information from the management as he may deem necessary for the discharge of his functions and the management shall provide the information called for within such period as may be specified by him; and

(3) Every inspector shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860).

37. Penalty for obstructing inspector. Whoever willfully obstructs an inspector in the exercise of any power under section 36, or fails to produce on demand by an inspector any register or other document in his custody relating to the provisions of section 34 and section 35 or the rules, or conceals or prevents any worker in a factory from appearing before or being examined by an inspector, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees.

Section 38. Penalty for contravening section 34 or section 35, etc

(1) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 34 or section 35 shall be punishable with fine which may extend to seventyfive thousand rupees.

(2) No Court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under subsection (1) except upon a complaint in writing made by the Registrar.

Section 39. Works Council

(1) In every establishment in which fifty or more workmen are employed or were employed on any day in the preceding twelve months, the employer shall constitute, in the prescribed manner, a Works Council consisting of representatives of the employer and the workmen so however that the number of the representatives of the workmen is not less than the number of the representatives of the employer in the Works Council.

(2) In the case of an establishment where there are one or more trade unions, the collective bargaining agent shall nominate the representatives of the workmen on such Works Council:

Provided that where there is no collective bargaining agent, representatives of workmen on Works Council shall be chosen in the prescribed manner from amongst the workmen engaged in the establishment for which the Works Council is constituted.

40. Functions of Works Council. The functions of Works Council shall be to promote measures for securing and preserving good relations between an employer and his workmen and, in particular

(a) to endeavor to maintain continuous sympathy and understanding between the employer and the workmen;

(b) To promote settlement of differences and disputes through bilateral negotiations;

(c) to promote security of employment for the workmen and conditions of safety, health and job satisfaction in their work;

(d) to take measures for facilitating good and harmonious working conditions in the establishment; to provide educational facilities for children of workmen in secretarial and accounting procedures and to promote their absorption in these departments of the establishment; and

(e) to discuss any other matter of mutual interest with a view to promoting better labour management relations.

Section 41. Redress of individual grievances

(1) A worker may bring his grievance in respect of any right guaranteed or secured to him by or under any law or any award or settlement for the time being in force to the notice of his employer in writing, either himself or through his shop steward or collective bargaining agent within three months of the day on which the cause of such grievance arises.

(2) Where a worker himself brings his grievance to the notice of the employer, the employer shall, within fifteen days of the grievance being brought to his notice, communicate his decision in writing to the worker.

(3) Where a worker brings his grievance to the notice of his employer through his shop steward or collective bargaining agent, the employer shall, within seven days of the grievance being brought to his notice, communicate his decision in writing to the shop steward or as the case may be the collective bargaining agent.

(4) If the employer fails to communicate a decision within the period specified in subsection (2) or, as the case may be subsection (3), or if the worker is dissatisfied with such decision, the worker or the shop steward may take the matter to his collective bargaining agent or the Labour Court or, as the case may be, the collective bargaining agent may take the matter to the Labour Court, and where the matter is taken to the Labour Court, it shall give a decision within seven days from the date of the matter being brought before it as if such matter were an industrial dispute:

Provided that a worker who desires to so take the matter to the Labour Court shall do so within a period of two months from the date of the communication of the employer or, as the case may be, from the expiry of the period mentioned in subsection (2), or subsection (3), as the case may be.

(5) In adjudicating and determining a grievance under subsection (4), the Labour Court shall go into all the facts of the case and pass such orders as may be just and proper in the circumstances of the case.

(6) If a decision under subsection (4) or an order under subsection (5) given by the Labour Court or a decision of the Tribunal in an appeal against such a decision or order is not given effect to or complied with within a week or within the period specified in such order or decision, the defaulter shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees, or with both.

(7) No person shall be prosecuted under subsection (6) except on a complaint in writing

(a) by the workman if the order or decision in his favour is not implemented within the period specified therein; or

(b) by the Labour Court or Tribunal, if an order or decision thereof is not complied with.

(8) For the purposes of this section, workers having common grievance arising out of a common cause of action may make a joint application to the Labour Court.

Section 42. Negotiations relating to differences and disputes

(1) If at any time an employer or a collective bargaining agent finds that an industrial dispute has arisen or is likely to arise, the employer or, as the case may be, the collective bargaining agent, may communicate his or its views in writing either to the Works Council or to the other party so, however, that, where the views are so communicated to the Works Council, a copy of the communication shall also be sent to the other party.

(2) On receipt of the communication under subsection (1) the Works Council or the party receiving it shall try to settle the dispute by bilateral negotiations within ten days of receipt of the communication or within such further period as may be agreed upon by the parties and, if the parties reach a settlement, a memorandum of settlement shall be recorded in writing and signed by both the parties and a copy thereof shall be forwarded to the Conciliator and the authorities mentioned in clause (xxv) of section 2.

(3) Where a settlement is not reached between the employer and the collective bargaining agent or, if the views of the employer or collective bargaining agent have been communicated under sub section (1) to the Works Council, there is a failure of bilateral negotiations in the Works Council, the employer or the collective bargaining agent may, within seven days from the end of the period referred to in subsection (2), serve on the other party to the dispute a notice of lockout or strike, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

Section 43. Conciliator

(1) The Provincial Government shall, by notification in the official Gazette, appoint as many persons as it considers necessary to be Conciliators for the purposes of this Act and shall specify in the notification the area within which, or the class of establishments or industries in relation to which, each one of them shall perform his functions.

(2) The Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, appoint as many persons as it considers necessary to act as Conciliators in such disputes as the National Industrial Relations Commission is competent to adjudicate and determine under this Act.

44. Notice of strike or lockout. The period of a notice of lockout or strike given under sub section (3) of section 42 shall be fourteen days.

45. Conciliation after notice of strike or lockout. Where a party to an industrial dispute serves a notice of strike or lockout under section 42, it shall, simultaneously with the service of such notice, deliver a copy thereof to the Conciliator who shall proceed to conciliate in the dispute and to the Labour Court.

Section 46. Proceedings before Conciliator

(1) The Conciliator shall, as soon as possible, call a meeting of the parties to the dispute for the purpose of bringing about a settlement.

(2) The parties to the dispute shall be represented before the Conciliator by persons nominated by them and authorized to negotiate and enter into an agreement binding on the parties:

Provided that if, in the opinion of the Conciliator, the presence of the employer or any officer of the trade union connected with the dispute is necessary in a meeting called by him, he shall give notice in writing requiring the employer or such officer to appear in person before him at the place, date and time, specified in the notice and it shall be the duty of the employer or the officer of the trade union to comply with the notice.

(3) The Conciliator shall perform such functions in relation to a dispute before him as may be prescribed and may, in particular, suggest to either party to the dispute such concessions or modifications in its demand as are in the opinion of the Conciliator likely to promote an amicable settlement of the dispute.

(4) If a settlement of the dispute or of any matter in dispute is arrived at in the course of the proceedings before him, the Conciliator shall send a report thereof to the Provincial Government together with a memorandum of settlement signed by the parties to the dispute.

(5) If no settlement is arrived at within the period of the notice of strike or lookout, the conciliation proceedings may be continued for such further period as may be agreed upon by the parties.

Section 47. Arbitration

(1) If the conciliation fails, the Conciliator shall try to persuade the parties to agree to refer the dispute to an arbitrator. In case the parties agree, they shall make a joint request in writing for reference of the dispute to an arbitrator agreed upon by them.

(2) The arbitrator to whom a dispute is referred under subsection (1) may be a person borne on a panel to be maintained by the Provincial Government or any other person agreed upon by the parties.

(3) The arbitrator shall give his award within a period of thirty days from the date on which the dispute is referred to him under subsection (1) or such further period as may be agreed upon by the parties to the dispute.

(4) After he has made an award, the arbitrator shall forward a copy thereof to the parties and to the Provincial Government who shall cause it to be published in the official Gazette.

(5) The award of the arbitrator shall be final and no appeal shall lie against it. It shall be valid for a period not exceeding two years, as may be fixed by the arbitrator.

Section 48. Strike and lockout

(1) If no settlement is arrived at during the course of conciliation proceedings and the parties to the dispute do not agree to refer it to an arbitrator under section 47, the workmen may go on strike or, as the case may be, the employer may declare a lockout, on the expiration of the period of the notice under section 44 or upon a declaration by the Conciliator that the conciliation proceedings have failed, whichever is the later.

(2) The party raising a dispute may at any time either before or after the commencement of a strike or lockout make an application to the Labour Court for adjudication of the dispute.

(3) Where a strike or lockout lasts for more than thirty days, the Federal Government, if it relates to a dispute which the Commission is competent to adjudicate and determine, and the Provincial Government, if it relates to any other dispute, may by order in writing, prohibit the strike or lockout:

Provided that the Federal Government may, with respect to a strike or lockout relating to a dispute which the Commission is competent to a adjudicate and determine and the Provincial Government, with the previous approval of the Federal Government, may, with respect to any other strike or lockout, by order in writing, prohibit a strike or lockout at any time before the expiry of thirty days, if it is satisfied that the continuance of such a strike or lockout is causing serious hardship to the community or is prejudicial to the national interest.

(4) In any case in which the Federal Government or the Provincial Government prohibits a strike or lockout, it shall forthwith refer the dispute to the Commission or, as the case may be, the Labour Court.

(5) The Commission or, as the case may be, the Labour Court shall, after giving both the parties to the dispute an opportunity of being heard, make such award as it deems fit as expeditiously as possible but not exceeding thirty days from the date on which the dispute referred to it:

Provided that the Commission or, as the case may be, the Labour Court may also make an interim award on any matter in dispute:

Provided further that any delay by the Commission or, as the case may be, the Labour Court in making an award shall not affect the validity of any award made by it.

(6) An award of the Commission or, as the case may be, the Labour Court shall be for such period as may be specified in the award which shall not be more than two years.

Section 49. Strike or lockout in public utility services

(1) The Federal Government, in the case of a strike or lockout relating to

(a) an industrial dispute of national importance; or

(b) an industrial dispute in respect of any of the public utility services, which the Commission is competent to adjudicate and determine, and the Provincial Government in the case of a strike or lockout relating to an industrial dispute in respect of any of the public utility services which the Commission is not competent to adjudicate and determine, may, by order in writing, prohibit a strike or lockout at any time before or after the commencement of the strike or lockout.

(2) The provisions of subsections (4), (5) and (6) of section 48 shall also apply to an order made under subsection (1) above as they apply to an order made under subsection (3) of that section.

50. Application to Labour Court. Any collective bargaining agent or any employer may apply to the Labour Court for the enforcement of any right guaranteed or secured to it or him by or under any law or any award or settlement.

Section 51. Raising of industrial dispute by federation

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, a federation of industrywise trade unions or federation at the national level may, if it is a collective bargaining agent raise an industrial dispute affecting all employers or workers of the establishments represented by that federation and a decision of the Commission shall be binding on all such employers and workers.

(2) No collective bargaining agent shall, at any time when a decision of the Commission in respect of any matter is effective, be entitled to raise a demand relating to that matter.

Section 52. Labour Court

(1) The Provincial Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, establish as many Labour Courts as it considers necessary and, where itestablishes more than one Labour Court, shall specify in the notification the territorial limits within which or the industries or classes of cases in respect of which, each one of them shall exercise jurisdiction under this Act.

(2) A Labour Court shall consist of one Presiding Officer appointed by the Provincial Government.

(3) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as Presiding Officer unless he has been or is, or is a District Judge or an Additional District Judge:

Provided that the Provincial Government of Baluchistan may, after consultation with the Federal Government, appoint any person not so qualified to be the Presiding Officer of a Labour Court.

(4) A Labour Court shall

(a) adjudicate and determine an industrial dispute which has been referred to, or brought before it under this Act;

(b) equire into and adjudicate any matter relating to the implementation or violation of a settlement which is referred to it by the Provincialn

Government;

(c) try offences under this Act and such other offences under any other law as the Provincial Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, specify in this behalf; and

(d) exercise and perform such other powers and functions as are or may be conferred upon or assigned to it by or under this Act or any other law.

Section 53. Procedure and powers of Labour Court

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, while trying an offence a Labour Court shall follow as nearly as possible summary procedure as prescribed under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898).

(2) A Labour Court shall, for the purpose of adjudicating and determining any industrial dispute, be deemed to be a Civil Court and shall have the same powers as are vested in such Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908), including the powers of__

(a) enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;

(b) compelling the production of documents and material objects; and

(3) A Labour Court shall, for the purpose of trying an offence under this Act or the Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968 (W.P. Ordinance VI of 1968) have the same powers as are vested in the Court of a Magistrate of the first class specially empowered under section 30 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898).

(4) No court fee shall be payable for filing, exhibiting or recording any document in, or obtaining any document from, a Labour Court.

(5) If the parties to a case, at any time before a final order is passed by the Labour Court satisfy the Labour Court that the matter has been resolved by them amicably and that there are sufficient grounds for withdrawing the case, it may allow such withdrawal.

Section 54. Awards and decisions of Labour Court

(1) An award or decision of a Labour Court shall be given in writing and delivered in open Court and two copies thereof shall be forwarded, forthwith to the Provincial Government, provided that if the Federal Government be a party, two copies of the award or decision shall be forwarded to that Government as well.

(2) The Provincial Government shall, within a period of one month from the receipt of the copies of the award or decision, publish it in the official Gazette.

(3) Any party aggrieved by an award given under subsection (1) or a decision given under section 41 or section 50 or a sentence passed under clause (c) of subsection (4) of section 52 may prefer an appeal to the Labour Appellate Tribunal within thirty days of the delivery or passing thereof and the decision of the Tribunal in such appeal shall be

final.

(4) Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, all decisions of, and all sentences passed by a Labour Court, shall be final and shall not be called in question in any manner by or before any Court or other authority.

Section 55. Labour Appellate Tribunal

(1) The Provincial Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, constitute as many Tribunals consisting of one member as it may consider necessary and, where it constitutes more than one Tribunal, shall specify in the notification the territorial limits within which or the class of cases in relation to which, each one of them shall exercise jurisdiction under this Act.

(2) The member of the Tribunal shall be a person who is or has been a Judge or an Additional Judge of a High Court, and shall be appointed on such terms and conditions as Government may determine.

(3) The Tribunal may, on appeal, confirm, set aside, vary or modify the award or decision given under section 41 or section 51 or a sentence passed under clause (c) of subsection (4) of section 52 and shall exercise all the powers conferred by this Act to the Court, save as otherwise provided. The decision of the Tribunal shall be delivered as expeditiously as possible, within a period of sixty days following the filing of the appeal, provided such decision shall not be rendered invalid by reason of any delay in its delivery.

(4) The Tribunal may, on its own motion at any time, call for the record of any case or proceedings under this Act in which a Labour Court within its jurisdiction has passed an order for the purpose of satisfying itself as to the correctness, legality, or propriety of such order, and may pass such order in relation thereto as it thinks fit:

Provided that no order under this subsection shall be passed revising or modifying any order adversely affecting any person without giving such person a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

(5) The Tribunal shall follow such procedure as may be prescribed.

(6) The Tribunal shall have authority to punish for contempt of its authority, or that of any Labour Court subject to its appellate jurisdiction, as if it were a High Court.

(7) Any person convicted and sentenced by the Tribunal under sub section (6) to imprisonment for any period, or to pay a fine exceeding fifteen thousand rupees, may prefer an appeal to the High Court.

(8) A Tribunal may, on its own motion or on the application of a Party, transfer any application or proceeding from a Labour Court within its jurisdiction to any other such Labour Court.

(9) Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (3) if in an appeal preferred to it against the order of a Labour Court directing the re instatement of a workman, the Tribunal makes an order staying the operation of the order of the Labour Court, the Tribunal shall decide such appeal within twenty days of its being preferred:

Provided that, if such appeal is not decided within the period aforesaid, the order of

the Tribunal shall stand vacated on the expiration of that period.

Section 56. Settlements and awards on whom binding

(1) A settlement arrived at in the course of a conciliation proceedings, or otherwise between the employer and the collective bargaining agent or an award of an arbitrator prescribed under section 47, or an award or decision of a Labour Court delivered under section 54 or the decision of the Tribunal under section 55 shall

(a) be binding on all parties to the industrial dispute;

(b) be binding on all other parties summoned to appear in any proceedings before a Labour Court as parties to the industrial dispute, unless the Court specifically otherwise directs in respect of any such party;

(c) be binding on the heirs, successors or assignees of the employer in respect of the establishment to which the industrial dispute relates where an employer is one of the parties to the dispute; and

(d) where a collective bargaining agent is one of the parties to the dispute, be binding on all workmen who were employed in the establishment or industry to which the industrial dispute relates on the date on which the dispute first arose or who are employed therein after that date:

Provided that, where a collective bargaining agent or a trade union performing the functions of a collective bargaining agent under section 71 exists, the employer shall not enter into a settlement with any other trade union, and any contravention of this provision shall be deemed to be an unfair labour practice under section 17.

(2) A settlement arrived at by agreement between the employer and a trade union otherwise than in the course of conciliation proceedings shall be binding on the parties to the agreement.

Section 57. Effective date of settlement, award, etc

(1) A settlement shall become effective

(a) if a date is agreed upon by the parties to the dispute to which it relates, on such date; and

(b) if a date is not so agreed upon, on the date on which the memorandum of the settlement is signed by the parties.

(2) A settlement shall be binding for such period as is agreed upon by the parties but not exceeding two years, and if no such period is agreed upon for a period of one year from the date on which the memorandum of settlement is signed by the parties to the dispute and shall continue to be binding on the parties after the expiry of the aforesaid period until the expiry of two months from the date on which either party informs the other party in writing of its intention no longer to be bound by the settlement.

(3) An award given under subsection (1) of section 54 shall, unless an appeal against it is preferred to the Tribunal, become effective on such date and remain effective for such period, not exceeding two years, as may be specified therein. The Arbitrator, the Labour Court, or, as the case may be, the Tribunal, shall specify dates from which the

award on various demands shall be effective and the time limit by which it shall be implemented in each case:

Provided that if, at any time before the expiry of the said period, any party bound by an award applies to the Labour Court which made the award for reduction of the said period on the ground that the circumstances in which the award was made have materially changed, the Labour Court may, by order made after giving to the other party an opportunity of being heard, terminate the said period on a date specified in the order.

(4) A decision of the Tribunal in appeal under subsection (3) of section 55 shall be effective from the date of the award.

(5) Notwithstanding the expiry of the period for which an award is to be effective under sub section (3), the award shall continue to be binding on the parties until the expiry of two months from the date on which either party informs the other party in writing of its intention no longer to be bound by the award.

Section 58. Commencement and conclusion of proceedings

(1) A conciliation proceeding shall be deemed to have commenced on the date on which a notice of strike or lockout is received by the Conciliator under section 44.

(2) A conciliation proceeding shall be deemed to have concluded

(a) where a settlement is arrived at, on the date on which a memorandum of settlement is signed by the parties to the dispute; and

(b) where no settlement is arrived at –

(i) if the dispute is refereed to an arbitrator under section 47 on the date on which the arbitrator has given his award or otherwise; or

(ii) on the date on which the period of the notice of strike or lockout expires.

(3) Proceedings before a Labour Court shall be deemed to have commenced

(a) in relation to an industrial dispute, on the date on which an application has been made under section 48 or section 50, or on the date on which it is referred to the Labour Court by the Provincial Government under section 48 or section 49; and

(b) in relation to any other matter, on the date on which it is referred to the Labour Court.

(4) Proceedings before the Commission in relation to a dispute referred to it under section 48 or section 49 or to a dispute raised under section 51 shall be deemed to have commenced on the date on which the reference is made to it or, as the case may be, the dispute is raised before it.

(5) Proceedings before the Commission or a Labour Court shall be deemed to

have concluded on the date on which the award or decision is delivered under subsection (1) of section 54.

59. Certain matters to be kept confidential. There shall not be included in any report, award or decision under this Act any information obtained by a Registrar, Conciliator, Labour Court, Arbitrator or Tribunal in the course of any investigation or inquiry as to a trade union or as to any individual business (whether carried on by a person, firm or company) which is not available otherwise than through the evidence given before such authority, if the trade union, person, firm, or company in question has made a request in writing to the authority that such information shall be treated as confidential, nor shall such proceedings disclose any such information without the consent in writing of the Secretary of the trade union or the person, firm or company in question, as the case may be:

Provided that nothing contained in this section shall apply to disclosure of any such information for the purpose of a prosecution under section 193 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860).

60. Raising of industrial disputes. No industrial dispute shall be deemed to exist unless it has been raised in the prescribed manner by a collective bargaining agent or an employer.

61. Prohibition of serving notice of strike or lockout while proceedings pending. No notice of strike or lockout shall be served by any party to an industrial dispute while any conciliation proceedings or proceedings before an Arbitrator or a Labour Court or an appeal to the Tribunal under subsection (3) of section 55 are or is pending in respect of any matter constituting such industrial dispute.

Section 62. Powers of Labour Court and Tribunal to prohibit strike, etc

(1) When a strike or lock out in pursuance of an industrial dispute has already commenced and is in existence at the time when, in respect of such industrial dispute, there is made to, or is pending before, a Labour Court an application, under section 50, the Labour Court may, by an order in writing prohibit continuance of the strike or lockout.

(2) When an appeal in respect of any matter arising out of an industrial dispute is preferred to a Tribunal under section 55, the Tribunal may, by an order in writing, prohibit continuance of any strike or lockout in pursuance of such industrial dispute which had already commenced and was in existence on the date on which the appeal was preferred.

Section 63. Illegal strikes and lockout

(1) A strike or lockout shall be illegal if

(a) it is declared, commenced or continued without giving to the other party to the dispute, in the prescribed manner, a notice of strike or lockout or before the date of strike or lock out specified in such notice, or in contravention of section 61;

(b) it is declared, commenced or continued in consequence of an industrial dispute raised in a manner other than that provided in section 60

(c) it is continued in contravention of an order made under section 48, section 49, section 62 or subsection (3) of section 64; or

(d) it is declared, commenced or continued during the period in which a settlement or award is in operation in respect of any of the matters covered by a settlement or award.

(2) A lockout declared in consequence of an illegal strike and a strike declared in consequence of an illegal lockout shall not be deemed to be illegal.

Section 64. Procedure in cases of illegal strikes or lockout

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this Act or in any other law for the time being in force, an Officer of the Labour Department not below the rank of Assistant Director Labour Welfare hereinafter in this section referred to as the Officer, may make enquiries in such manner as he may deem fit into an illegal strike or illegal lockout in a factory and make a report to the Labour Court.

(2) After completing the enquiry the Officer shall serve a notice on the employer and the collective bargaining agent or the registered trade union concerned with the dispute to appear before the Labour Court on a date to be fixed by that Court.

(3) The Labour Court may, within ten days following the day on which it receives a report under subsection (1), after considering the report and hearing such of the parties as appear before it, order the strike to be called off or the lockout to be lifted.

(4) If the employer contravenes the order of the Labour Court under subsection (3) and the Court is satisfied that the continuance of the lockout is causing serious hardship to the community or is prejudicial to the national interest, it may issue an order for the attachment of the factory and for the appointment of an official receiver for such period as it deems fit, and such period as may be varied from time to time.

(5) The official receiver shall exercise the powers of management and may transact business, enter into contracts, give valid discharge of all moneys received and do or omit to do all such acts as are necessary for conducting the business of the factory.

(6) The Labour Court may, in appointing and regularizing the work of an official receiver exercise the powers of a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908).

(7) If the workers contravene the order of the Labour Court under sub section (3), the Court may pass orders of dismissal against all or any of the striking workers and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, if the Court, after holding such inquiry as it deems fit, records its finding that any registered trade union has committed or abetted the commission of such contravention, the finding shall have the effect of cancellation of the registration of such trade union and debarring all officers of such trade union from holding office in that or in any other trade union for the unexpired term of their offices and for the term immediately following:

Provided that the Court may review its orders if good and sufficient cause is shown by an affected worker within seven days of such orders of dismissal.

(8) Subject to any rules made by the Provincial Government in this behalf, the officer may, for the purpose of enquiry under subsection (1), within the local limits for which he is appointed, enter with such assistants, if any, being persons in the service of Pakistan, as he thinks fit, in a factory, where he has reason to believe an illegal strike or lockout to be in progress, and make such examination of the premises and plant and of any registers maintained therein and take on the spot or otherwise such evidence of persons and exercise such other powers as he may deem necessary for carrying out the purposes of this section.

(9) The officer shall have authority to call any party to such dispute to his office or secure his presence in the factory and shall also have the power to bind any party to the dispute to appear before the Labour Court.

(10) Where a party to an illegal strike or lockout, on being required or bound under this section to appear before the officer or the Labour Court, does not so appear, the officer or Labour Court, as the case may be, may, besides taking such other action as may be admissible under this Act, proceed exparte.

Section 65. Conditions of service to remain unchanged while proceedings pending

(1) No employer shall, while any conciliation proceedings or proceedings before an Arbitrator, a Labour Court or Tribunal in respect of an industrial dispute are pending, alter to the disadvantage of any workman concerned in such dispute, the conditions of service applicable to him before the commencement of the conciliation proceedings or of the proceedings before at the Arbitrator, the Labour Court or Tribunal, as the case may be, nor shall he

(a) save with the permission of the Conciliator, while any conciliation proceedings are pending; or

(b) save with the permission of the Arbitrator, the Labour Court of Tribunal, while any proceedings before the Arbitrator, Labour Court or Tribunal are pending, discharge, dismiss or otherwise punish any workman except for misconduct not connected with such dispute.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (1), an officer of a registered trade union shall not, during the pendency of any proceedings referred to in subsection (1), be discharged, terminated, dismissed or otherwise punished for misconduct, except with the previous permission of the Labour Court. However, the terms and conditions of the employment secured by the workers through collective bargaining, agreements, settlements, awards and decisions of Courts shall continue to be binding upon the parties until revised for betterment of workers.

66. Removal of fixed assets. No employer shall remove any fixed assets of the establishment during the currency of an illegal lockout or a strike which is not illegal:

Provided that Labour Court may, subject to such conditions as it may impose, cause to be removed any such fixed assets for safe custody to avoid damage to such assets due to flood, fire, catastrophe or civil commotion.

Section 67. Protection of certain persons

(1) No person refusing to take part or to continue to take part in any illegal strike or illegal lockout shall, by reasons of such refusal, be subject to expulsion from any trade union or to any fine or penalty or to the deprivation of any right or benefit which he or his legal representatives would otherwise have been entitled, or be liable to be placed in any respect, either directly or indirectly, under any disability or disadvantage as compared with other members of the trade union.

(2) Any contravention of the provisions of subsection (1) may be made the subject matter of an industrial dispute, and nothing in the constitution of a trade union providing the manner in which any dispute between its executive and members, shall be settled shall apply to any proceedings for enforcing any right or exemption granted by subsection (1). In any such proceeding, the Labour Court may, in lieu of ordering a person who has been expelled from membership of a trade union to be restored to membership, order that he be paid out of the funds of the trade union such sum by way of compensation or damages as the Court thinks just.

Section 68. Representation of parties

(1) A workman who is a party to an industrial dispute shall be entitled to be represented in any proceedings under this Act by an officer of a collective bargaining agent and subject to the provisions of subsection (2) and subsection (3) any employer who is a party to an industrial dispute shall be entitled to be represented in any such proceedings by a person duly authorized by him.

(2) No party to an industrial dispute shall be entitled to be represented by a legal practitioner in any conciliation proceedings under this Act.

(3) A party to an industrial dispute may be represented by a legal practitioner in any proceedings before the Labour Court, or before an Arbitrator, with the permission of the Court or the Arbitrator, as the case may be.

Section 69. Interpretation of settlement and awards

(1) If any difficulty or doubt arises as to the interpretation of any provisions of an award or settlement, it shall be referred to the Tribunal constituted under this Act.

(2) The Tribunal to which a matter is referred under subsection (1) shall after giving the parties an opportunity of being heard, decide the matter, and its decision shall be final and binding on the parties.

Section 70. Recovery of money due from an employer under settlement or award

(1) Any money due from an employer under a settlement, or under an award or decision of the Arbitrator, Labour Court or Tribunal may be recovered as arrears of land revenue or as a public demand if, upon the application of the person entitled to the money, the Labour Court so directs.

(2) Where any workman is entitled to receive from the employer any benefit, under a settlement or under an award or decision of the Arbitrator, Labour Court or Tribunal, which is capable of being computed in terms of money, the amount at which such benefit shall be computed may, subject to the rule made under this Act, be determined and

recovered as provided for in subsection (1) and paid to the workman concerned within a specified

date. Labour Court shall have the powers of Collector GradeI and shall exercise such powers of recovery as determined by it.

71. Performance of functions pending ascertainment of collective bargaining agent. Any act or function which is by this Act required to be performed by or has been conferred upon a collective bargaining agent may, until a collective bargaining agent has been certified under the provisions of this Act, be performed by a registered trade union which has been recognized by the employer or employers.

Section 72. Penalty for unfair labour practices

(1) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 10 shall be liable to fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees.

(2) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 17 shall be liable to fine which may extend to thirty thousand rupees.

(3) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 18, other than those of clause (d) of sub section (1) thereof, shall be liable to fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees.

(4) An officer of a trade union, a workman or person other than a workman who contravenes or abets the contravention of the provisions of clause (d) of subsection (1) of section 18 shall be liable to fine which may extend to thirty thousand rupees.

(5) Where the person accused of an offence under subsection (4) is an officer of a trade union, the National Industrial Relations Commission may, in addition to any other punishment which it may award to such person under that subsection, direct that he shall cease to hold the office of such officer and be disqualified from holding any office in any trade union during the term immediately following the term in which he so ceases to hold office.

(6) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 66 shall be liable to fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees.

(7) Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to exclude the jurisdiction of a Labour Court or the Court of a Magistrate to try a case under this section if it is authorized to do so by general or special order of the Commission.

73. Penalty for committing breach of settlement. Whoever commits any breach of any term of any settlement, award or decision which is binding on him under this Act shall be punishable

(a) for the first offence, with fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees; and

(b) or each subsequent offence; with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees.

74. Penalty for failing to implement settlement, etc. Whoever willfully fails to implement any term of any settlement, award or decision which it is his duty under this Act to implement shall be punishable with a fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees, and, in the case of continuing failure, with a further fine which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day after the first during which the failure continues.

Section 75. Penalty for false statement, etc

Whoever willfully makes or causes to be made in any application or other document under this Act or the rules made there under, any statement which he knows or has reason to believe to be false, or willfully neglects or fails to maintain or furnish any list, documents or information he is required to maintain or furnish,under this Act or the rules made there under shall be punishable with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees.

76. Penalty for discharging officer of trade union in certain circumstances, etc. Any employer who contravenes the provision of section 65 shall be punishable with fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees.

77. Penalty for embezzlement or misappropriation of funds. Any officer or any employee of a registered trade union, guilty of embezzlement or misappropriation of trade union funds, shall be liable to a fine, double the amount found by the Court to have been embezzled or misappropriated. Upon realization, the amount of fine may be reimbursed by the Court to the trade union concerned.

78. Penalty for other offences. Whoever contravenes, or fails to comply with, any of the provisions of this Act shall, if no other penalty is provided by this Act for such contravention or failure, be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.

79. Offence to be noncognizable. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898) no police officer shall be competent to arrest without warrant an employer or a worker for an offence under this Act other than the offence of illegal strike or illegal lockout continued in contravention of an order made under subsection (3) of section 64.

80. Offences by corporation. Where the person guilty of any offence under this Act is a company or other body corporate, every director, manager, secretary or other officer or agent thereof shall, unless he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or consent or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of the offence, be deemed to be guilty of such offence: Provided that, where a company has intimated to Government in writing the name of any of its directors resident in Pakistan whom it has nominated for the purpose of this section and the offence is committed while such director continues to be so nominated, only such director shall be so deemed to be guilty of such offence.

81. Trial of offences. Save as provided in this Act, no Court other than a Labour Court or that of a Magistrate of the first class shall try any offence punishable under this Act.

82. Indemnity. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or any rule.

83. Registrar, etc., to be public servants. A Registrar, a Conciliator, the Presiding Officer of a Labour Court, the member of a Tribunal, and the Chairman and a member of the Commission shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860).

84. Limitation. The provisions of section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1908 (IX of 1908), shall apply in computing the period within which an application is to be made, or any other thing is to be done, under this Act.

Section 85. Power to make rules

(1) The Federal Government may make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act in relation to the Commission.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (1), the Provincial Government may, in consultation with the Federal Government, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

(3) Rules make under this section may provide that a contravention thereof shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.

86. Transfer of pending proceedings. All appeals and applications of any kind pending in any High Court immediately before the commencement of this Act shall stand transferred to the Labour Appellate Tribunals from the date of the commencement of this Act and it shall not be necessary for the Labour Appellate Tribunals to recall any witness or record any evidence that may have been recorded.

Section 87. Repeal and savings

(1) The Industrial Relations Ordinance 2002 (XCI of 2002), is hereby repealed.

(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Industrial Relations Ordinance, 2002 (XCI of 2002, hereinafter to be called the repealed Ordinance, and without prejudice to the provisions of sections 6 and 24 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 (X of 1897)

(a) every trade union existing immediately before the commencement of this Act, which was registered under the repealed Ordinance shall be deemed to be registered under this Act and its constitution shall continue in force until altered or rescinded;

(b) anything done, rules made, notification or order issued, officer appointed, Court constituted, notice given, proceedings commenced or other actions taken under the repealed Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done, made, issued, appointed, constituted, given, commenced or taken, as the case may be, under the corresponding provisions of this Act; and

Section 88. Former registration offices, officers, etc., to continue

(1) The offices existing at the commencement of this Act for registration of trade unions shall be continued as if they had been established under this Act.

(2) Any person appointed to any office under, or by virtue of the provisions of the repealed Ordinance shall be deemed to have been appointed to that office under or by virtue of this Act.

(3) Any books of accounts, book, paper, register or document kept under the provisions of the repealed Ordinance relating to companies shall be deemed to be part of the books of accounts, book, paper, register or document to be kept under this Act.

89. Removal of difficulties. If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provisions of this Act, the Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make such order, not inconsistent with the provisions, of this Act, as may appear to it to be necessary for the purpose of removing the difficulty;

Provided that no such power shall be exercised after the expiry of two years from the coming into force of this Act.

________

SCHEDULE

PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICES [See section 2(xxi)]

1. he generation, production, manufacture, or supply of electricity, gas, oil or water to the public.

2. Any system of public conservancy or sanitation.

3. Hospitals and ambulance services.

4. Firefighting service.

5. Any postal, telegraph or telephone service.

6. Railways and Airways.

7. Ports.

8. Watch and Ward Staff and security services maintained in any establishment.

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INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 2008
Last Updated: 20081201
Contents
PREAMBLE.
1 SHORT TITLE, EXTENT, COMMENCEMENT AND APPLICATION
2 DEFINITIONS
3 TRADE UNIONS AND FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
4 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION
5 REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION
6 REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION
7 ISQUALIFICATION FOR BEING AN OFFICER OF A TRADE UNION
8 REGISTERED TRADE UNION TO MAINTAIN REGISTER, ETC
9 REGISTRATION
10 TRANSFER, ETC, OF OFFICER OF TRADE UNION DURING PENDENCYOF APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION
11 CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION
12 CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION
13 APPEAL AGAINST CANCELLATION
14 REGISTRAR OF TRADE UNIONS
15 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF REGISTRAR
16 INCORPORATION OF REGISTERED TRADE UNION
17 UNFAIR LABOUR PRACTICES ON THE PART OF EMPLOYERS
18 UNFAIR LABOUR PRACTICES ON THE PART OF A WORKMEN
19 LAW OF CONSPIRACY LIMITED IN APPLICATION
20 IMMUNITY FROM CIVIL SUIT IN CERTAIN CASES
21 ENFORCEABILITY OF AGREEMENT
22 REGISTRATION OF FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS
23 RETURNS
24 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT
25 NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION
26 BENCHES OF THE COMMISSION, ETC
27 ADDITIONAL POWERS OF THE COMMISSION
28 APPEALS
29 FINALITY OF ORDER
30 DETERMINATION, ETC, OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT
31 POWER TO MAKE REGULATIONS
32 CHECK OFF
33 SHOP STEWARD TO ACT AS LINK BETWEEN LABOUR ANDMANAGEMENT
34 JOINT MANAGEMENT BOARD
35 INSPECTOR
36 PENALTY FOR OBSTRUCTING INSPECTOR
37 PENALTY FOR CONTRAVENING SECTION 34 OR SECTION 35, ETC
38 WORKS COUNCIL
39 FUNCTIONS OF WORKS COUNCIL
40 REDRESS OF INDIVIDUAL GRIEVANCES
41 NEGOTIATIONS RELATING TO DIFFERENCES AND DISPUTES
42 CONCILIATOR
43 NOTICE OF STRIKE OR LOCKOUT
44 CONCILIATION AFTER NOTICE OF STRIKE OR LOCKOUT
45 PROCEEDINGS BEFORE CONCILIATOR
46 ARBITRATION
47 STRIKE AND LOCKOUT
48 STRIKE OR, LOCK OUT IN PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICES
49 APPLICATION TO LABOUR COURT
50 RAISING OF INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE BY FEDERATION
51 LABOUR COURT
52 PROCEDURE AND POWERS OF LABOUR COURT
53 AWARDS AND DECISIONS OF LABOUR COURT
54 LABOUR APPELLATE TRIBUNAL
55 SETTLEMENTS AND AWARDS ON WHOM BINDING
56 EFFECTIVE DATE OF SETTLEMENT, AWARD, ETC
57 COMMENCEMENT AND CONCLUSION OF PROCEEDINGS
58 CERTAIN MATTERS TO BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL
59 RAISING OF INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
60 PROHIBITION OF SERVING NOTICE OF STRIKE OR LOCKOUT WHILEPROCEEDINGS PENDING
61 POWERS OF LABOUR COURT AND TRIBUNAL TO PROHIBIT STRIKE,ETC
62 ILLEGAL STRIKES AND LOCKOUT
63 PROCEDURE IN CASES OF ILLEGAL STRIKES OR LOCKOUT
64 CONDITIONS OF SERVICE TO REMAIN UNCHANGED WHILEPROCEEDINGS PENDING
65 REMOVAL OF FIXED ASSETS
67 PROTECTION OF CERTAIN PERSONS
68 REPRESENTATION OF PARTIES
69 INTERPRETATION OF SETTLEMENT AND AWARDS
70 RECOVERY OF MONEY DUE FROM AN EMPLOYER UNDERSETTLEMENT OR AWARD
71 PERFORMANCE OF FUNCTIONS PENDING ASCERTAINMENT OFCOLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT
72 PENALTY FOR UNFAIR LABOUR PRACTICES
73 PENALTY FOR COMMITTING BREACH OF SETTLEMENT
74 PENALTY FOR FAILING TO IMPLEMENT SETTLEMENT, ETC
75 PENALTY FOR DISCHARGING OFFICER OF TRADE UNION IN CERTAINCIRCUMSTANCES, ETC
76 PENALTY FOR DISCHARGING OFFICER OF TRADE UNION IN CERTAINCIRCUMSTANCES, ETC
77 PENALTY FOR EMBEZZLEMENT OR MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS
78 PENALTY FOR OTHER OFFENCES
79 OFFENCE TO BE NONCOGNIZABLE
80 OFFENCES BY CORPORATION
81 TRIAL OF OFFENCES
82 INDEMNITY
83 REGISTRAR, ETC, TO BE PUBLIC SERVANTS
84 LIMITATION
85 POWER TO MAKE RULES
86 TRANSFER OF PENDING PROCEEDINGS
87 REPEAL AND SAVINGS
88 FORMER REGISTRATION OFFICES, OFFICERS, ETC, TO CONTINUE
89 REMOVAL OF DIFFICULTIES
SCHEDULEPUBLIC UTILITY SERVICES
 
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 2008
ACT NO.IV of 2008
An Act to consolidated and rationalize the law relating to formation of trade unions, andimprovement of relations between employers and workman.
WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and rationalize the law relating to formation   of   trade unions,  regulation  of  relations  between  employers  and workman and the avoidance andsettlement of any differences or disputes arising between them or matters connected therewith andancillary thereto;
It is hereby enacted as follows:
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title, extent, application and commencement. (1)  This  Act  may be called theIndustrial Relations Act, 2008.
(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan.
(3) It shall apply to all persons  employed in any establishment or industry, but shall not apply toany person employed
(a) in the Police or any of the Defence Services of Pakistan or any services or installationsexclusively connected with or incidental to  the  Armed Forces of Pakistan including anOrdnance Factory maintained by the Federal Government;
(b) in the administration of the State other than those employed as workmen by the Railwayand Pakistan Post;
(c) as  a  member  of  the   Security  Staff  of  the  Pakistan International Airlines Corporation,or drawing wages in pay group, not lower than group V, in the establishment of thatCorporation as the Federal Government may, in the public interest or in the interest of security of the Airlines, by notification in the official Gazette, specify in this behalf;
(d) by  the  Pakistan  Security  Printing  Corporation  or  the Security Papers Limited;
(e) by an establishment or institution for the treatment or care of sick, infirm, destitute ormentally unfit persons excluding those run on commercial basis;
(f) as  a  member  of  the  Watch  and  Ward,  Security  or  Fire Service Staff of an oilrefinery, an airport or seaport; and
(g) as a member of the Security or Fire Service Staff of an establishment engaged in theproduction, transmission or distribution of natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas.
 
(4) It shall come into force at once.
2. Definitions. In this Act unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,
(i) “arbitrator” means a person appointed as such under section 47;
(ii) “award” means the determination by a Labour Court, Arbitrator or Appellate Tribunal ofany industrial dispute or any matter relating thereto and includes an interim award;
(iii) “collective bargaining agent” in relation to an establishment or industry, means the tradeunion of the workmen which under section 24, is the agent of workmen in theestablishment or, as the case may be, industry, in the matter of collective bargaining;
(iv) “collective bargaining unit” means those workers or class of workers of an employer inone or more establishment falling within the same class of industry whose terms andconditions of employment are,  or  could  appropriately be,  the  subject  of collectivebargaining together;
(v) “Commission” means the National Industrial Relations Commission constituted undersection 25;
(vi) “conciliation proceedings”  means  any  proceedings before a conciliator;
(vii) “Conciliator” means,
(a) in  respect  of  disputes  which  the  National Industrial Relations Commission iscompetent to adjudicate and determine, a person appointed as such under subsection (2) of section 43; and
(b) in respect of other disputes, a person appointed as such under subsection (1) of thatsection;
(viii) “employer” in relation to an establishment, means any person or body of persons,whether incorporated or not, who or which employs workmen  in  the establishment undera contract of employment and includes
(a) an heir, successor or assign, as the case may be, of such person or body as aforesaid;
(b)  any  person  responsible  for  the  management,  supervision  and  control  of  theestablishment;
(c) in relation to an establishment run by or under the authority of any department of theFederal Government or Provincial
 
Government,  the  authority  appointed  in  this  behalf  or, where  no  authority  is so   appointed,  the  Head  of  the department;
(d) in relation to an establishment run by or on behalf of a local authority, the officerappointed in this behalf, or where no officer is so  appointed, the chief executiveofficer of that authority;
Explanation.  For  the  purpose  of  distinction  from  the category of    “workers”  or “workmen”,     officers     and employees of a department of the Federal Government or aProvincial Government or local authority who belong to the superior, managerial,secretarial, directorial, supervisory or agency staff and who have been notified for thispurpose in the  official  Gazette  shall  be  deemed  to  fall  within  the category of“employers”; and
(e) in relation to any other establishment, the proprietor of such establishment and everydirector,  manager,  secretary,  agent  or  officer  or  person  concerned  with  themanagement of the affairs thereof;
(ix) “establishment”       means     any    office,     firm,     factory,     society, undertaking,  company,   shop,   premises   or   enterprise,   which employs workmen directly orthrough a contractor for the purpose of  carrying  on  any  business  or  industry  and includes  all  its departments and branches, whether situated in the same place or indifferent  places  and  except  in  section  30  includes  a  collective bargaining unit, ifany, constituted by any establishment or group of establishments;
(x) “executive” means the body, by whatever name called, to which the management of theaffairs of a trade union is entrusted by its constitution;
(xi) “illegal  lockout”  means  a  lockout  declared,  commenced  or continues otherwisethan in accordance with the provisions of this Act;
(xii) “illegal strike” means a strike declared, commenced or continues otherwise than inaccordance with the provisions of this Act;
(xiii) “industrial  dispute”  means  any  dispute  or  difference  between employers andemployers or between employers and workmen or between  workmen  and  workmen which  is  connected  with  the employment or nonemployment or  the terms ofemployment or the conditions of work of any person, and is not in respect of theenforcement of such right guaranteed or accrued  to  him  by  or under any law other thanthis Act, or any award or settlement for
 
the time being in force;
(xiv) “industry”   means   any   business,   trade,   manufacture,   calling, service, employmentor occupation of producing goods or services for sale excluding those set up for charitablepurposes;
(xv) “inspector” means an inspector appointed under this Act;
(xvi) “Labour Court” means a Labour Court established under section 52;
(xvii) “lockout” means the closing of place of employment or part of such place,  or  thesuspension, wholly or partly, of work by an employer, or refusal,  absolute or conditional,by an employer to continue to employ any number  of  workmen employed by him, wheresuch closing, suspension or refusal  occurs in connection with  an  industrial  dispute  or is  intended  for  the   purpose  of compelling  workmen  employed  to  accept  certain terms  and conditions of or affecting employment;
(xviii) “officer” in relation to a trade union, means any member of the executive thereof butdoes not include an auditor or legal adviser;
(xix) “organization” means any organization of workers or of employers for   furthering   and defending  the  interests  of  workers  or  of employers;
(xx) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules;
(xxi) “public utility service” means any of the services  specified in the Schedule;
(xxii) “registered trade union” means a trade union registered under this Act;
(xxiii) “Registrar” means  a  Registrar  of  trade  unions  appointed  under section 14;
(xxiv) “rules” means rules made under this Act;
(xxv) “settlement”  means  a  settlement  arrived  at  in  the  course  of  a conciliation proceeding, and includes an agreement between an employer and his workmen arrived atotherwise than in the course of  any  conciliation   proceedings,  where  such  agreement is  in writing, has been signed by the parties thereto in such manner as may  be prescribed  and  a  copy  thereof  has  been  sent  to  the Provincial Government, theConciliator and such other  person as may be prescribed;
(xxvi) “strike” means a cessation of work by a body of persons employed in
 
any establishment acting in combination or a concerted refusal, or  refusal  under  a common  understanding  of  any  number  of persons who are or have been so employedto continue to work or to accept employment;
(xxvii) “trade union” means any combination of workmen or employers formed   primarily for  the  purpose  of  regulating  the  relations between workmen  and employers, orworkmen  and  workmen  or  employers  and  employers,  or  for  imposing  restrictiveconditions on the conduct of any trade or business and includes a federation of two ormore trade unions;
(xxviii) “Tribunal” means a Labour Appellate Tribunal constituted under section 55; and
(xxix) “worker”  and  “workman”  mean  person  not  failing  within  the definition ofemployer who is employed (including employment as a supervisor or as an apprentice) inan establishment or industry for hire or reward either directly or through a contractorwhether the terms of employment express or implied, and, for the purpose of anyproceedings under this Act in relation to an industrial dispute includes a person who hasbeen  dismissed,  discharged,  retrenched,  laidoff    or    otherwise    removed    from employment  in  connection with  or  as  a  consequence  of  that  dispute  or  whose dismissal, discharge, retrenchment, layoff, or removal has led to that dispute but  does not  include  any  person  who  is  employed  mainly  in managerial or administrativecapacity.
3. Trade unions and freedom of association. Subject to the provisions of this Act andnotwithstanding any other law for the time being in force,
(a) workers, without distinction whatsoever, shall have the right to establish and, subject tothe rules of the organization concerned, to join international associations of their ownchoice without previous authorization:
Provided that no worker shall be entitled to be a member of more than one trade union at any onetime and on joining another union the earlier membership shall automatically stand cancelled;
(b) employers, without distinction whatsoever, shall have the right to establish   and,  subject only  to  the  rules  of  the  organization concerned, to join  international associations oftheir own choice without previous authorization;
(c) every trade union and employers association shall frame its own constitution and rules toelect its representatives in full freedom to organize  its  administration  and  activities  and to  formulate  its programmes; and
 
 
(d) workers’ and employers’ organizations shall have the right to establish  and joinfederations and confederations and any such organization, federation or confederationshall have the right to affiliate with international organizations and confederations ofworkers’ and employers’ organizations.
4. Application for registration. Any trade union may, under the signature of its President andthe Secretary, apply to the Registrar for registration of the trade union under this Act.
5. Requirements for application. Every application for registration of Trade Union shall bemade to the Registrar and shall be accompanied by
(a) a statement showing
(i) the name of the trade union and the address of its Head Office;
(ii) date of formation of the union;
(iii) the titles, names, ages, addresses and occupations of the officers of the trade union;
(iv) statement of total paid membership;
(v) the name of the establishment or group of establishments, or the industry, as the casemay be, to which the trade union relates along with a statement of the total numberof workers employed therein;
(vi) the names and addresses of the registered trade unions in the establishment group ofestablishments or industry, as the case may be, to which the union relates; and
(vii) in case of a federation of trade unions, the names, addresses and registrationnumber of memberunions;
(b) three copies of the constitution of the trade union together  with a copy of the resolutionby the members of the trade union adopting  such constitution bearing the signature of theChairman of the meeting;
(c) a copy of the resolution by the members of the trade union authorizing its President andthe Secretary to apply for its registration; and
(d) in case of a federation of trade unions, a copy of the resolution  from each of theconstituent unions agreeing to become a member of the federation.
6. Requirements for registration. (1) A trade union shall not be entitled to
 
registration   under  this  Act  unless  the  constitution  thereof  provide  for  the following matters,namely.
(a) the name and address of the trade union;
(b) the objects for which the trade union has been formed;
(c) the purposes for which the general funds of the union shall be utilized;
(d) the  number  of  persons  forming  the  executive  which  shall  not exceed the prescribedlimit and shall include not less than seventy five  percent  from  amongst  the  workmen actually  engaged  or employed in the establishment or establishments or the industry forwhich the trade union has been formed;
(e) the conditions under which a member shall be entitle to any benefit assured by theconstitution of the trade union and under which any fine or forfeiture may be imposed onhim;
(f)  the maintenance of a list of the members of the trade union and of adequate  facilities forthe inspection thereof   by the officers and members of the trade union;
(g) the manner in which the constitution shall be amended, varied or rescinded;
(h) the safe custody of the funds of the trade union, its annual audit, the manner  of audit andadequate facilities for inspection of the account books by the officers and members of thetrade union;
(i) the manner in which the trade union may be dissolved;
(j) the manner of election of officers by the general body of the trade union and the term, notexceeding two years, for which an officer may hold office upon his election or reelection;
(k) the procedure for expressing no confidence in any officer of the trade union; and
(l) the meeting of the executive and of the general body of the trade union so that theexecutive shall meet at least  once in every three months and the general body at leastonce a year.
(2) Without  prejudice  to  the provisions  of  subsection  (1),  a  trade union of workmen shallnot be entitled to registration under this Act 
(a) unless all its members are workmen actually engaged or employed  in  the industry withwhich the trade union is connected; and
 
(b) where there are two or more registered trade unions in the establishment, group ofestablishments or industry with which the trade union is connected, unless it has as itsmembers not less than onefifth  of the total number of workmen employed  in  such establishment,  group  of establishments or industry, as the case may be.
7. Disqualification  for  being  an  officer  of  a  trade  union.__ Notwithstanding anythingcontained in the constitution or rules of a trade union, a person who has been convicted of offenceunder section 78 or heinous offence under the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860) shall bedisqualified from being elected as, or from being, an officer of  a trade union.
8. Registered trade union to maintain register, etc.__ Every registered trade union shallmaintain in such form as may be prescribed
(a) a register of members showing particulars of subscriptions paid by each member;
(b) an accounts book showing receipts and expenditure; and
(c) a minute book for recording the proceedings of meetings.
9. Registration.__ (1) The Registrar, on being satisfied that the trade union has complied with allthe requirements of this Act, shall register the trade union in a prescribed register and issue aregistration certificate in the prescribed form within a period of fifteen days from the date of receiptof the application. In case the application is found by the Registrar to be deficient in a materialrespect he shall communicate in writing his objections to the trade union within a period of fifteendays from the receipt of the application and the trade union shall reply thereto within a period offifteen days from the receipt of the objections.
(2) When  the  objections  raised  by  the  Registrar  have been satisfactorily met, the Registrarshall register the trade union as provided in sub section (1) and issue a certificate of registration inthe prescribed form within three days of the date of the objections having been so met. In case theobjections are not satisfactorily met, the Registrar may reject the application.
(3) In case the application has been rejected or the Registrar has delayed disposal of theapplication beyond the period of fifteen days provided in subsection (1) or has not issued acertificate of registration within a period of three days as provided in subsection (2), as the case maybe, the trade union may appeal to the Labour Court who for reasons to be stated in its judgment maypass an order directing the Registrar to register the trade union and to issue a certificate of registrationor may dismiss the appeal.
(4) Notwithstanding anything constrained in any other provision of this Act,  very alteration madein the constitution of a registered trade union and every change of its officers shall be notified byregistered post by the trade union to the Registrar within fifteen days of such change.
 
 
(5) The Registrar may refuse to register such change or alteration if it is in contravention of anyof the provisions of this Act, or if it is in violation of the constitution of the trade union.
(6) Subject to the provision of subsection (5), every inclusion or exclusion of any constituent unitof a federation of trade unions shall be notified by registered post by the federation to the Registrarwithin fifteen days of such inclusion or exclusion.
(7) In case there is a dispute in relation to the change of officers of a trade union, or any tradeunion is aggrieved by the refusal of the Registrar under subsection (5), any officer or member of thetrade union may apply or appeal to the Labour Court, who shall within seven days of receipt of theapplication or appeal, as the case may be, pass an order either directing the Registrar to register thechange or alteration in the constitution or in the officers of the trade union or may, for reasons to berecorded in writing, direct the registrar to hold fresh elections of the union under his supervision.
10. Transfer, etc., of officer of trade union during pendency of application for registration.Save with the prior permission of the Registrar, no officer of a trade union of workmen shall betransferred, discharged, dismissed or otherwise punished during the pendency of an application forregistration of the trade union with the Registrar, provided that the union has notified the names of itsofficers to be employer in writing.
11. Certificate of registration.__ The Registrar, on registering a trade union under section 9,shall issue a certificate of registration in the prescribed form which shall be conclusive evidence thattrade union has been duly registered under this Act.
12. Cancellation of registration.__ (1) The registration of a trade union shall be cancelled if theLabour Court so directs upon a complaint in writing made by the registrar that the trade union has
(a) contravened or has been registered in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act orthe rules;
(b) contravened any of the provisions of its constitution; or
(c) made in its constitution any provision which is inconsistent with this Act or the rules.
(2) Where any person who is disqualified under section 7 from being elected as, or from being, anofficer of a trade union is elected as an officer of a registered trade union, the registration of thattrade union shall be cancelled if the Labour court, upon a complaint in writing made in this behalf bythe Registrar, so directs.
(3) The registration of a trade union shall be cancelled by the Registrar if, after holding suchinquiry as he deems fit, he finds that such trade union has dissolved itself or has ceased to exist.
13. Appeal against cancellation. Any trade union aggrieved by an order passed__
(a) by the Labour Court under subsection (1) or subsection (2) of section 12
 
may prefer appeal to the Tribunal within thirty days of the passing of the said order; or
(b) by the Register under subsection (3) of section 12 may prefer appeal to the Labour Courtwithin thirty days of the passing of the said order.
14. Registrar of trade unions. For the purpose of this Act, the Provincial Government shall, bynotification in the official Gazette, appoint as many persons as it considers necessary to be Registrarsof trade unions and, where it appoints more than one Registrars, shall specify in the notification thearea within which each one of them shall exercise and perform the powers and functions under thisAct. 
15. Powers and functions of Registrar. The Registrar shall have the following powers andfunctions:
(a) the registration of trade unions under this Act and the maintenance of a register for thepurpose;
(b) to lodge, or authorize any person to lodge, complaints with the Labour Court orCommission for action, including prosecution, against trade unions, employers, workers orother persons for any alleged offence or any unfair labour practice or violation of anyprovision of the Act or for expending the funds of a trade union in contravention of theprovisions of its constitution;
(c) the determination of the question as to which one of the trade unions in an establishmentor an industry is entitled to be certified as the collective bargaining agent in relation tothat establishment or industry;
(d) to inspect the accounts and record of the registered trade unions, or investigate or holdsuch inquiry in the affairs of the trade unions as he deems fit either by himself or throughany officer subordinate to him and to authorize him in writing in this behalf; and
(e) such other powers and function as may be prescribed.
16. Incorporation of registered trade union.__ (1) Every  registered trade union shall be a bodycorporate by the name under which it is registered, shall have perpetual succession and a commonseal and the power to contract and to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable andimmovable, and shall by the said name sue or be sued.
(2) The Societies Registration Act, 1860 (XXIV of 1860), the Co operative  Societies Act, 1925(W.P.Act VII of 1925) and the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984), shall not apply to anyregistered trade union and the registration of any trade union under any of these Acts shall be void.
17. Unfair labour practices on the part of employers.__ (1) No employer or trade union ofemployers and no person acting on behalf of either shall
(a) impose any condition in a contract of employment seeking to restrain
 
the right of a person who is a party to such contract to joint a trade union or continue hismembership of a trade union;
(b) refuse to employ or refuse to continue to employ any person on the ground that suchperson is, or is not a member or officer of a trade union;
(c) discriminate  against  any  person  in  regard  to  any  employment, promotion, conditionof employment or working condition on the ground that such person is, or is not, amember or officer of a trade union;
(d) dismiss,  discharge,  remove  from  employment  or  transfer  or threaten  to  dismiss, discharge  or  remove  from  employment  or transfer a workman or injure or threaten toinjure him in respect of his employment by reason that the workman.
(a) is or proposes to become, or seeks to persuade any other person to become, amember or officer of a trade union; or
(b) participate in the promotion, formation or activities of a trade union;
(e) induce any person to refrain from becoming, or to cease to be a member or  officer of atrade union, by conferring or offering to confer any advantage on, or by procuring oroffering to procure any advantage for such person or any other person;
(f) compel  or  attempt  to  compel  any  officer  of  the  collective bargaining agent to arriveat a settlement by unsing intimidation, coercion, pressure, threat, confinement to a place,physical injury, disconnection of water, power  and telephone facilities and such othermethods;
(g) interfere with or in any way influence the balloting provided for in section 24;
(h) recruit any new workman during the period of a notice of strick under section  44 orduring the currency of a strike which is not illegal  except  where  the  Conciliator  having been  satisfied  that complete cessation of work is likely to cause serious damage to themachinery or installation, has permitted temporary employment of a limited number ofworkmen in the section where the damage is likely to occur;
(i) close down the whole of the establishment in contravention of Standing Order 11A of theIndustrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968 (W.P. Ord.VI of 1968); or
(j) Commence, continue, instigate or incite others to take part in , or expend or supply moneyor otherwise act in furtherance or support of, an illegal lockout.
(2) Nothing  in  subsection  (1)  shall  be  deemed  to  preclude  an employer  from requiring thata person upon his appointment or promotion to managerial position shall  
 
cease to be, and shall be disqualified from being, a member or officer of a trade union of workmen.
18. Unfair labour practices on the part of a workmen.__ (1) No workmen or other person ortrade union of workmen shall
(a) persuade a workman to join or refrain from joining a trade union during working hours;
(b) intimidate any person to become, or refrain from becoming, or to continue to be, or tocease to be a member or officer of a trade union;
(c) induce any person to refrain from becoming, or cease to be a member or officer of a tradeunion, by intimidating or conferring or offering to confer any advantage on, or byprocuring or offering to procure any advantage for such person or any other person;
(d) compel or attempt to compel the employer to accept any demand by using intimidation, coercion, pressure  threat, confinement to, or ouster from, a place, dispossession, assault,physical injury, disconnection of telephone, water or power facilities or such othermethods; or
(e) commence, continue, instigate or incite others to take part in, or  expend or supply moneyor otherwise act in furtherance or support of, an illegal strike or a goslow.
Explanation. In  clause  (e)  the  expression. ‘goslow’  means  an organized, deliberate andpurposeful slowing down of normal output, or the deterioration of the normal quality of work by abody of workmen acting in a concerted manner, but does not include the slowing down of normaloutput, or the deterioration of the normal quality of work which is due to mechanical defect,breakdown of machinery, failure or defect in power supply or in the supply of normal materials andspare parts of machinery.
(2) It shall be an unfair practice for a trade union to interfere with a ballot held under section 24by the exercise of undue influence, intimidation, impersonation or bribery through its executive orthrough any person acting on its behalf.
19. Law of conspiracy limited in application. No officer or member of a registered trade unionor a collective bargaining agent as certified by the Registrar shall be liable to punishment under subsection (2) of section 120B of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860), in respect of anyagreement made between the members thereof for the purpose of furthering any such object of thetrade union as is specified in its constitution referred to in section 6, unless the agreement is anagreement to commit an offence, or otherwise violates any other law for the time being in force.
20. Immunity from civil suit in certain cases.__ (1) No suit or other legal proceedings shall bemaintainable in any civil court against any registered trade union or a collective bargaining agent orany officer or member thereof in respect of any action done in contemplation or furtherance of anindustrial dispute to which the trade union is a party on the ground only that such act induces someother person to break a contract of employment, or that it is an interference with the trade, businessor employment of some
 
other person or with the right of some other person to dispose of his capital or of his labour as hewills.
(2) A trade union shall not be liable in any suit or other legal proceedings in any civil court inrespect of any tortuous act done in good faith in contemplation or furtherance of an industrial disputeby an agent of the trade union if it is proved that such person acted without the knowledge of, orcontrary to express instructions given by, the executive of the trade union.
21. Enforceability of agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for thetime being in force, an agreement between the members of a trade union shall not be void or voidableby reason only that any of the objects of the agreement are in restraint of trade:
Provided that nothing in this section shall enable any civil court to entertain any legal proceedingsinstituted for the express purpose of enforcing, or recovering damages for the breach of anyagreement concerning the conditions on which any member of a trade union shall or shall not selltheir goods, transact business or work, employ or be employed.
22. Registration of federation of trade unions.__ (1) Any two or more registered trade unionsmay, if their respective general bodies so resolved, constitute a federation by executing an instrumentof federation and apply to the Registrar for the registration of the federation:
Provided that a trade union of workmen shall not join a federation which comprises a trade unionof employers; nor shall a trade union of employers join a federation which comprises a trade union ofworkmen.
(2) An instrument of federation referred to in subsection (1) shall, among other things, providefor the procedures to be followed by the federated trade unions and the rights and responsibilities ofthe federation and the federated trade union.
(3) An application for the registration of a federation of trade unions shall be signed by thePresidents of all the trade unions constituting the federation or by the officers of these trade unionsrespectively authorized by the trade unions in this behalf and shall be accompanied by three copies ofthe instrument of federation referred to in subsection (1).
(4) Subject to subsections (1), (2) and (3), the provisions of the Act shall, so far as may be andwith the necessary modifications, apply to a federation of trade unions as they apply to a trade union.
23. Returns.__ (1) There shall be sent annually to the Registrar, on or before such date as may beprescribed, a general statement, audited in the prescribed manner, of all receipts and expenditure ofevery registered trade union during the year ending on the 31stday of December, next preceding suchprescribed date, and of the assets and liabilities of the trade union existing on such 31stday ofDecember, as may be prescribed.
(2) Together with the general statement there shall be sent to the Registrar a statement showingall changes of officers made by the trade union during the year to which the general statement refers,together also with statement of the total paid membership and a copy of the constitution of the tradeunion corrected up to the date of
 
the dispatch thereof to the Registrar.
(3) A copy of every alteration made in the constitution of a registered trade union and of aresolution of the general body having the effect of a provision of the constitution, shall be sent to theRegistrar within fifteen days of the making of the alteration or adoption of the resolution.
(4) In case the registered trade union is member of a federation, the name of the federation shallbe given in the annual statement.
24. Collective bargaining agent.__ (1) Where there is only one registered trade union in anestablishment or a group of establishments, that trade union shall if it has as its members not  less than onethird of the total number of workmen employed in such establishment or group ofestablishments, upon an application made in this behalf be certified by the Registrar in the prescribedmanner to be the collective bargaining agent for such establishment or group.
(2) Where there are more registered trade unions than one in an establishment or a group ofestablishments, the Registrar shall upon an application made in this behalf by onefifth of the totalnumber of workmen employed in such establishment or group of establishments or by the employeror the Government, hold within fifteen days from the making of the application, a secret ballot todetermine as to which one of such trade unions shall be the collective bargaining agent for theestablishment or group:
Provided that  the Registrar may, in  the case  of a large establishment having its branches in morethan one town, hold the secret ballot within thirty days from the making of the application:
Provided further that the Registrar shall not entertain any application under this subsection inrespect of an establishment or group of establishments, consisting of, or including, a seasonal factorywithin the meaning of section 4 of the Factories Act, 1934 (XXV of 1934), unless such application ismade during the month in which the number of workmen employed in such factory in a year isusually the maximum.
(3) Upon receipt of an application under subsection (2), the Registrar shall, by  notice in writingcall upon every registered trade union in the establishment or group of establishments to which theapplication relates
(a) to indicate whether it desires to be a contestant in the secret ballot to be held fordetermining the collective bargaining agent in relation to such establishment or group; and
(b) if it so desires, to submit to him within the time specified in the notice a list of its membersshowing, in respect of each member, his parentage, age, the section or department and theplace in which he is employed, his ticket number and the date of his becoming a memberand if union is a federation of trade unions, a list of its affiliated trade unions togetherwith a list of members of each such trade union showing in respect of each such memberthe said particulars.
(4) Every employer shall
 
 
(a) on being so required by the Registrar, submit a list of all workmen  employed in theestablishment excluding those whose period of  employment in the establishment is lessthan  three  months   and   showing,  in   respect  of  each workman, his parentage, age,the section or department and the place in which he is employed, his  ticket number andthe date of his employment in the establishment; and
(b) provide such facilities for verification of the lists submitted by him and the trade unions asthe Registrar may require:
Provided that, in computing the period of three months referred to in clause  (a) in the case of aworkman employed in a seasonal factory within the meaning of section 4 of the Factories Act, 1934(XXV of 1934), the  period  during  which  he  was  employed  in  that  factory  during  the precedingseason shall also be taken into account.
(5) The Registrar shall, after verification of the lists submitted by the trade unions, prepare a listof voters in which shall be included the name of every  workman whose period of employment ascomputed in accordance with subsection (4), is not less than three months and who is a member ofany of the contesting trade unions and shall, at least four days prior to the date fixed for the poll, sendto each of  the contesting trade unions a certified copy of the list of voters so prepared.
(6) Every workman who is a member of any of the contesting trade unions and whose nameappears in the list of voters prepared under subsection (5)  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  at  the  poll  to determine  the collective bargaining agent.
(7) Every  employer  shall  provide  all  such  facilities  in  his establishment as may be requiredby the Registrar for the conduct of the poll but shall not interfere with, or in any way influence, thevoting.
(8) No person shall canvass for vote within a radius of fifty metres of the polling station.
(9) For the purpose of holding secret ballot to determine the collective bargaining agent, theRegistrar shall
(a) fix the date for the poll and intimate the same to each of the contesting trade unions andalso to every employer;
(b) on the date fixed for the poll so placed in the polling station set  up  for  the  purpose  the ballot  boxes  which  shall  be sealed  in  the   presence  of  the  representatives  of  thecontesting trade unions as to receive the ballot papers;
(c) conduct  the  poll  at  the  polling  station  at  which  the representatives of the contestingtrade unions shall have the right to be present;
(d) after the conclusion of the poll and in the presence of such of the representatives of thecontesting trade unions as may be present, open the ballot boxes and count the votes; and
 
(e) after the conclusion of the count, certify the trade union which has  received the highestnumber of votes to be the collective bargaining agent:
Provided  that  no  trade  union  shall  be  certified  to  be  the  collective bargaining  agent  for  an establishment  or  group  of  establishments  unless  the number of votes received by it is not lessthan onethird of the total number of workmen employed in such establishment or group:
Provided further that, if no trade union secures such number of votes in the first poll, a secondpoll shall be held between the trade unions which secure the two highest numbers of votes in the firstpoll and the trade union which secures a majority of the votes cast  at  the second poll shall becertified in the prescribed manner to be the collective bargaining agent:
Provided further that, if the number of votes secured by two or more trade unions  securing thehighest number of votes is equal, further poll hall be held between them until one of them secures amajority of the votes cast at such further poll.
(10) If no trade union indicates under clause (a) of subsection(3) that it desires to be a contestantin the secret ballot, the Registrar shall certify the trade union which has made the application undersubsection (2) to be the collective bargaining agent.
(11) where a registered trade union has been certified under clause (e) of  subsection (9) to bethe collective bargaining agent for an establishment or group of  establishments, no application for thedetermination of the collective bargaining agent for such  establishment or group shall be entertainedwithin a period  of  two  years  from  the  date  of  such  certification  except  where  the registrationof such certification except where the registration of such a registered trade union is cancelled beforethe expiration of the period.
(12) A collective bargaining agent may, without prejudice to its own position, implead as a partyto any proceedings under this Act to which it is itself a party or any federation of trade unions ofwhich it is a member.
(13) The collective bargaining agent in relation to an establishment or group of establishmentsshall be entitled to
(a) undertake  collective  bargaining  with  the  employer  or employers  on  mattersconnected with  employment,  non employment, the term of employment or theconditions of work other than matters which relate to the enforcement of any rightguaranteed or secured to it or any workman by or under  any  law,  other  than  this  Act, or  any  award  or settlement;
(b) represent all or any of the workmen in any proceeding;
(c) give notice of, and declare, a strike in accordance with the provisions of this Act; and
 
(d) nominate representatives of workmen on the Board of Trustees of any welfare institutionsor Provident Funds and of the Workers Participation Fund established under theCompanies Profits (Workers Participation) Act, 1968(XII of 1968).
(14) The Registrar may authorize in writing an officer to perform all or any of his functions underthis section.
25. National Industrial Relations Commission.__ (1)The Federal Government shall constitute aNational Industrial Relations Commission.
(2) The Commission shall consist of not less than seven members, including the Chairman.
(3) The qualification for appointment as a member or as the Chairman of the  Commission shallbe such as may be determined by the Federal Government.
(4) The Chairman and other members of the Commission shall be appointed by the FederalGovernment.
(5) Two of the members shall be appointed in the prescribed manner to advise the Chairman, oneto represent the employers and the other to represent industrywise trade unions, federations of suchtrade unions and federations at the national level.
(6) The Chairman of the Commission may, in addition to the representatives of workers appointedto the Commission, coopt, in cases where he deems it necessary, from amongst workers belonging tofederations at the national level such representatives of workers as he may deem fit.
(7) The worker's representative coopted under subsection (6) shall be entitled to suchhonorarium as the Federal Government may, on the advice of the Chairman of the Commission,determine.
(8) The  following  shall  be  the  functions  of  the  Commission, namely.—
(a) to promote the formation of trade unions of workers within the same  industry whether inestablishments within a Province or in more than one Province and federations of suchtrade union;
(b) to promote the formation of federations at the national level;
(c) to adjudicate and determine a industrial dispute to which an industrywise trade union or afederation of such trade unions is a party and which is not confined to matters of purelylocal nature and any other industrial dispute which is, in the opinion of the FederalGovernment, of national importance and is referred to it by that Government;
(d) to register industrywise trade unions, federations of such trade unions and federations atthe national level;
 
(e) to  determine  the  collective  bargaining  agents  amongst industrywise trade unions,federations of such trade unions and federations at the national level;
(f) to try offences punishable under
(i) section 72  other  than  subsection  (1)  and  (6) thereof; and
(ii) any  other  section,  in  so  far  as  they  relate  to employers or workers in relation toan industrywise trade union,  a  federation of such trade unions,  a federation at thenational  level or officers of such union or federation;
(g) to deal with cases of unfair labour practices specified in sections 17 and 18 on the part ofemployers, workers, trade unions of either of them or persons acting on behalf of any ofthem, whether committed individually or collectively, in the manner laid down undersection 41 or section 50 or in such other way as may be prescribed, and to take, in suchmanner as may be prescribed by regulations under section 31,  measures   calculated   to  prevent   an   employer   or workman from committing an unfair labour practice;
(h) to  advise  Government,  industrywise  trade  unions  and federations  in respect to theeducation of workers in the essentials of trade unionism, including education in respect oftheir right and obligations, and to secure the provision of facilities  required  therefore, and  to   apportion  the  cost thereof between the Provincial and Federal  Governmentsindustrywise trade unions, federations of such trade unions and federations at thenational level, and the employers, in such   manner  as  may  be  considered  equitable  by the Commission; and
(i) such other powers and functions as the Federal Government may, by  notification in  theofficial Gazette, assign to it from time to time.
(9) The Commission may, on the application of a party, or of its own motion
(a) initiate  prosecution,  trial  or  proceedings,  or  take  action, with regard to any matterrelating to its functions;
(b) withdraw  from a Labour Court any application, proceedings or appeal relating to unfairlabour practice; or
(c) grant  such  relief  as  it  may  deem  fit  including  interim injunction.
(10) For the purpose of dealing with a case of unfair labour practice of which the Commission isseized, the Commission may
(a) proceed directly with  the case;
(b) ask the Registrar within whose jurisdiction the case has occurred or is likely to occur toenquire into it and submit a report; or
 
 
(c) refer the case to a Labour Court within whose jurisdiction the case has occurred or islikely to occur, either for report or for disposal.
(11) The Labour Court to whom the case is so referred shall enquire into it and, if the case wasreferred to it for report, forward its report thereon to the Commission or, if the case was referred to itfor disposal, continue the proceedings and dispose of the case as  if  the proceedings had originallycommenced before it and grant such relief as the Commission has the power to grant.
(12) Save as provided in subsections (11) and (13) no Registrar, Labour Court or Tribunal shalltake any action, or entertain any application or proceedings, in respect of any matter which fallswithin the jurisdiction of the Commission.
(13) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to exclude the jurisdiction of a Labour Court toentertain cases of unfair labour practices on the part of employers or workmen, whether individuallyor collectively:
Provided that no Court, including Labour Court, shall take any action or entertain any applicationor proceedings in respect of a case of unfair labour practice which is being dealt with by theCommission.
Explanation.In this section and in the succeeding provisions of this Act, the expressions“industrywise trade union” “federation of such trade unions” and "federation at the national level"refer to a trade union membership of which extends to establishments in more than one Province anda federation of trade unions whose membership extends to registered trade unions in more then oneProvince.
26. Benches of the Commission, etc. (1) The Chairman shall exercise general superintendenceover its affairs.
(2) for the efficient performance of the functions of the Commission, the Chairman shallconstitute
(a) a Full Bench of the Commission which shall consist of not less than three members of theCommission; and
(b) as many other Benches of the Commission consisting of one or more members of theCommission as he may deem fit.
(3) The Benches shall
(a) in relation to cases based on allegations of unfair labour practices  brought before theCommission for trial of offences, or enforcement of, or for redress of individualgrievances in respect of, any right guaranteed or secured to any employer or worker by orunder any law or any award or settlement,  perform  such functions and exercise suchpowers as are performed and exercised by a Labour Court; and
(b) in relation to industrywise trade unions, federations of such trade unions, federations atthe national level and cases referred to the
 
Commission, perform such functions and exercise such powers as are performed andexercised by a Registrar, a Labour Court or a Tribunal in relation to trade unions andfederations of trade unions within a Province, and, for this purpose, any reference in thisAct to a "Registrar”, “Labour Court", or as the  case may be, "Tribunal" shall be deemed to be a reference to the appropriate Bench of the Commission to which such functions areassigned:
Provided that, in the performance of those functions and in the exercise of those powers, theBenches shall, unless otherwise provided in this Act, follow the procedure laid down in theregulations to be made under section 31.
(4) if any member of the Commission is absent from, or is otherwise unable to attend any sittingof the commission or of a Bench consisting of more than one members of which he is a member, theproceedings of the Commission or Bench may continue, and the decision or award may be given orjudgment or sentence may be passed in the absence of such member, and no act, proceedings,decision, or award of the Commission or Bench shall be invalid or be called in question merely on theground of such absence or of the existence of vacancy in or any defect in the constitution of theCommission or Bench.
(5) if the members of a Bench differ in opinion as to the decision to be given on any point,
(a) the point shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority, if there is a majority;and
(b) If the members are equally divided, they shall state, the point on which they differ and thecase shall be referred by them to the Chairman for hearing on such point by one or moreof the other members of the Commission, and such point shall be decided according to theopinion of the majority of the members of the Commission who have heard the case,including those who first heard it:
Provided that if, upon any matter requiring the decision of a Bench which includes the Chairmanof the Commission as one of its members, there is a difference of opinion among its members and themembers so constituting the Bench are equally divided, the opinion of the Chairman shall prevail andthe decision of the Bench hall be expressed in terms of the views of the chairman.
(6) Any order or decision made, award given, sentence passed, power exercised, functionsperformed or proceedings taken by any Bench of the Commission in accordance withthis Act andthe order constituting the Bench shall be deemed to be the order or decision made, award given,sentence passed, power exercised, functions performed or proceedings taken, as the case may be, bythe Commission.
Explanation. In this section, the expression "The Chairman of the Commission" includes suchmember of the Commission to be known as Senior Member as the Chairman may nominate toperform the functions, and exercise the
 
powers of the Chairman during his absence.
27. Additional powers of the Commission. In  addition to powers which the Commission hasunder section 26
(a) the Commission shall have power to punish any person who obstructs or abuses itsprocess or disobeys any of its orders or  directions, or does anything which tends toprejudice the case of a party before it, or tends to bring it or any of its members in relationto proceedings of the Commission into hatred or contempt, or does anything which, bylaw, constitutes contempt of Court, with simple imprisonment which may extend to sixmonths or with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees, or with both and
(b) for the purposes of any investigation, enquiry or adjudication to be made by thecommission under this Act, the Chairman or any member of the commission may at anytime between the hours of sunrise and sunset, and any other person authorized in writingby the Chairman or any member of the Commission in this behalf may, after he has given reasonable  notice,  enter  any  building,  factory, workshop or other place or premiseswhatsoever and inspect the same or any work, machinery, appliance or article therein orinterrogate any person therein in respect of anything situated therein or any matterrelevant to matters before the Commission.
28. Appeals.__ (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, or in any other law for thetime being in force, any person aggrieved by an award or decision given or a sentence or orderdetermining and certifying a collective bargaining unit passed by any Bench of the Commission, otherthan a Full Bench, may, within thirty days of such award, decision, sentence or order prefer an appealto Commission.
(2) An appeal preferred to the Commission under subsection (1) shall be disposed of by the fullBench of the Commission which shall,
(a) if the appeal is from an order determining and certifying a collective bargaining unit, havethe power to confirm, set aside, vary or modify such an order; and
(b) if the appeal relates to any other matter, have the same power in relation to the appeal asthe Labour Court, the Tribunal or the High Court, as the case may be, would have had ifthe matter to which the appeal relates were a matter in relation to which an appeal can bepreferred to the Labour Court, the Tribunal or the High Court.
29. Finality of order. No court shall entertain any plea as to the jurisdiction of the Commissionor as the legality or propriety of anything done or purporting to be done by the commission or any ofits Benches, and no order, decision, judgment or sentence of the Commission shall be called inquestion in any manner, whatsoever, in or before any Court or other authority. 
 
30. Determination, etc., of collective bargaining unit.__ (1) Where the Commission, on anapplication made in this behalf, by a trade union of Workmen or a federation of such trade unions, oron a reference made by the Federal Government, after holding such inquiry as it deems fit, is satisfiedthat for safeguarding the interest of the workmen employed in an establishment or group ofestablishments belonging to the  same employer and the same industry, in relation to collectivebargaining, it is necessary, just and feasible to determine one or more collective bargaining units of such workmen in such establishment or group, it may, having regard to the distribution of workers,existing boundaries of the components of such establishment, or group, facilities of communication,general convenience, sameness or similarity of economic activity and other cognate factors,
(a) determine and certify one or more collective bargaining units in such establishment orgroup;
(b) Specify the modifications which, in consequence of the decision under this section, willtake effect in regard to the registration of the trade unions and federations of trade unionsaffected by such decision and certification of collective bargaining agents among suchunions  and  federations,  nomination    or  election  of  shop  stewards,  and  workers’representatives for participation in the management of the factories, if any, affected bysuch decision;
(c) specify the date or dates from and the period, for which all or any of such changes shalltake effect:
Provided that the date so specified shall not be a date falling within the period of twoyears specified in subsection (11) of section 24 in its application to a collectivebargaining agent certified in respect of an establishment or establishments:
Provided further that, after the receipt of a reference for determination of a collectivebargaining unit, the Commission may stop or prohibit the proceedings to determinecollective  bargaining  agent  under  section  24  for  any  establishment  or  group  ofestablishments which is likely to be affected by a decision under this section,
(d) take such measures or issue such directions to the Registrar as may be necessary to giveeffect to such modifications; and
(e) determine and certify a collective bargaining agent for each such unit in accordance withsection 24 in so far as applicable and with the necessary modifications, if such a unitrelates to more than  one  province, or direct the Registrar to take such action, if such aunit relates to only one province.
(2) Where the commission issues any directions to the Registrar under this section, the Registrarshall  comply with them  within such period as the Commission may from time to time determine.
 
 
(3) After  the certification of a collective bargaining unit, no trade union shall be registered inrespect of that unit except for the whole of such unit and no certification or proceedings fordetermination of collective bargaining agent under section 24 shall take place for a part of a collectivebargaining unit or a group of collective bargaining units.
(4) an order of the Commission under this section shall have effect notwithstanding anything tothe contrary contained in this Act.
31. Power to make regulations.__ (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the commission may,with the prior approval of the Federal Government, make such regulations relating to its procedureand the performance of its functions as it may deem fit, and the regulations shall  have effectnotwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in the Qanune Shahadat, 1984 (P.O.10of1984), the Code of Criminal procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), the code of Civil Procedure, 1908(Act  V of 1908) or any other law for the time being in force.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulationsmay provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:
(a) registration of industrywise trade unions, federations of such trade unions and federationsat the national level, and the procedure, for such registration;
(b) determination of collective bargaining units;
(c) determination of collective bargaining agent from amongst the industry wise trade unions,federations of such trade unions or, as the case may be, federations at the national level,and the procedure therefore;
(d) procedure, including rules of evidence, for adjudication of industrial dispute;
(e) procedure, including rules of evidence, for trial of offences;
(f) procedure for dealing with unfair labour practices;
(g) superintendence of the Chairman over the affairs of the Commission;
(h) forms of registers, processes and returns in respect of matters relating to the functions ofthe Commission; and
(i) fixing of places and times of its sitting and deciding whether to sit in public or in private.
32. Check off.__ (1) if a collective bargaining agent so requests, the employer of the workmenwho are members of a trade union shall deduct from the wages of the workmen such amountstowards their subscription to the funds of the trade union as may be specified, with the approval ofeach individual workman named in the demand statement furnished by the trade union.
(2) An employer making any deductions under subsection (1) shall, within fifteen days of the endof the period for which the deduction have been made, deposit the entire amount so deducted by himin the account of the trade union on whose behalf he has 
 
made the deductions.
(3) A collective bargaining agent shall maintain with a branch of the National Bank of Pakistan orwith a Post Office Savings Bank an account to which shall be credited the entire amount deducted bythe employer under sub section (1) from the wages of the members of the trade union.
(4) The employer shall provide facilities to the collective bargaining agent for ascertainingwhether deductions from the wages of its members are being made under subsection (1).
33. Shop steward to act as link between labour and management.__ (1) in every establishmentin which fifty or more workmen are employed, shop stewards, from amongst the workmen in a shop,section or department of the establishment, shall,—
(a) where  there is a collective bargaining agent in the establishment, be nominated by it, or
(b) where there is no collective bargaining agent in the establishment,  be elected at  a secretballot  held in  the prescribed manner.
(2) The employer shall provide all such facilities in his establishment as may be required for theholding of a ballot under subsection (1) but shall not interfere with, or in any way influence, thevoting.
(3) A shop steward shall hold office for a period of one year from the date of his election ornomination as the case may be.
(4) Any dispute arising out of, or in connection with, the election of a shop steward shall bereferred to the Registrar whose decision shall be final and binding on all parties to the dispute.
(5) The shop steward shall act as a link between the workers and the employer, assist in theimprovement of arrangements for the physical working conditions and production work in the shopsection or department for which he is elected and help workers in the settlement of their problemseither connected with work or with any such individual grievance of a workman as is referred to insub section (1) of section 41.
34. Workers participation in management.__(1) in every factory employing fifty persons ormore there shall be elected or nominated workers' representatives to participate to the extent of fiftyper cant in the management of the factory:
Provided that there shall be elected or nominated at least one worker's representative toparticipate in the management of such factory:
Provided further that, for the purpose of determining the number of workers’ representatives inthe management of a factory, fractions equal to, or greater than one half shall be regarded as one andlesser fractions shall be ignored.
(2) The workers’ representatives shall be workmen employed in the same factory and shall,
 
(a) where there is a collective bargaining agent in the factory, be nominated by it, or
(b) where there is no collective bargaining agent in the factory, be elected by simple majorityat a secret ballot by all workmen employed in the factory.
(3) The workers’ representatives shall hold office for a period of two years from the date of theirelection or nomination, as the case may be,
(4) The workers’ representatives shall participate in all the meetings of the managementcommittee constituted in the prescribed manner and all matters relating to the management of thefactory, except commercial and financial transaction may be discussed in such meetings.
(5) The management shall not take any decision in the following matters without the advice inwriting of the workers’ representatives, namely:
(a) framing of services rules and policy about promotin and discipline of workers;
(b) changing physical working conditions in the factory; (c)  inservice training of workers;
(d) recreation and welfare of workers;
(e) regulation of daily working hours and breaks;
(f) preparation of leave schedule; and
(g) matters relating to the order and conduct of workers within the factory.
(6) The workers’ representatives may on their own initiative give advice in writing concerning thematters specified in subsection (5) and, where they do so, the management shall convene a meetingwithin two weeks of the receipt of the advice to discuss its merits with them.
(7) The management shall give reply to the workers’ representatives within six weeks of thereceipt of their advice given under subsection (5) or sub section (6) and any such advice shall not berejected except by the person holding the highest position in the management of the factory.
(8) In case the advice of the workers’ representatives is rejected by the management of thefactory, the matter may, within fifteen days of the advice being so rejected, be taken up by thecollective bargaining agent in the Works Council for bilateral negotiations and thereupon theprovisions of section 42 shall apply as they apply to the settlement of an industrial dispute in relationto which the views of the employer or the collective bargaining agent  have been communicated tothe Works Council under subsection (1) of that section.
35. Joint management board.__ (1) Every company which owns or manages a
 
factory, and in every factory which is not so owned or managed, and which employs fifty persons ormore, the management shall, in the prescribed manner set up a joint management board in which theWorkers’ participation shall be to the extent of thirty per cent.
(2) The employer’s  representatives on  the joint management board shall be from amongst theDirectors or senior executives and the workers’ representatives shall be workmen employed in thefactory.
(3) The joint management board shall look after the following matters, namely:
(a) improvement in production , productivity and efficiency;
(b) fixation of job and piecerates;
(c) planned regrouping or transfer of the workers;
(d) laying down the principles of remuneration and introduction of new remunerationmethods; and
(e) provision of minimum facilities for such of the workers employed through contractors asare not covered by the laws relating to welfare of workers.
(4) The joint management board may call for reasonable information about the working of thecompany or factory from its management and the management shall supply the information called for.
(5) The joint management board shall meet at such intervals as may be prescribed.
(6) The workers’ representative shall hold office for such period as may be prescribed.
(7) In this section,
(a) “company” has the same meaning as in the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984);and
(b) “ management” means the employer.
36. Inspector.__ (1) The inspectors appointed under section 10 of the Factories Act, 1934 (XXVof 1934), and such other persons, not being Conciliators appointed under this Act, as the ProvincialGovernment may, by notification in the official Gazette appoint, shall be inspectors for ensuringcompliance with the provisions of section 34 and section, 35 within the local limits assigned to each.
(2) The inspector may
(a) at all reasonable hours enter on any premises and make such examination of any registerand document relating to the provisions of section 34 and section 35 and take on the spotor otherwise such evidence of any person, and
 
exercise such other powers of inspection, as he may deem necessary for discharging hisduty;
(b) call for such information from the management as he may deem necessary for thedischarge of his functions and the management shall provide the information called forwithin such period as may be specified by him; and
(c) make a report in writing to the Registrar having jurisdiction of any offence punishableunder section 37.
(3) Every inspector shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of thePakistan Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860).
37. Penalty for obstructing inspector. Whoever willfully obstructs an inspector in the exerciseof any power under section 36, or fails to produce on demand by an inspector any register or otherdocument in his custody relating to the provisions of section 34 and section 35 or the rules, orconceals or prevents any worker in a factory from appearing before or being examined  by aninspector, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees.
38. Penalty for contravening section 34 or section 35, etc.__ (1) Whoever contravenes theprovisions of section 34 or section 35 shall be punishable with fine which may extend to seventyfivethousand rupees.
(2) No Court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under subsection (1) except upon acomplaint in writing made by the Registrar.
39. Works Council.__ (1) In every establishment in which fifty or more workmen are employedor were employed on any day in the preceding twelve months, the employer shall constitute, in theprescribed manner, a Works Council consisting of representatives of the employer and the workmenso however that the number of the representatives of the workmen is not less than the number of therepresentatives of the employer in the Works Council.
(2) In the case of an establishment where there are one or more trade unions, the collectivebargaining agent shall nominate the representatives of the workmen on such Works Council:
Provided that  where there is  no  collective bargaining agent, representatives of workmen onWorks Council shall be chosen in the prescribed manner from amongst the workmen engaged in theestablishment for which the Works Council is constituted.
40. Functions of Works Council. The functions of Works Council shall be to promote measuresfor securing and preserving good relations between an employer and his workmen and, in particular
(a) to endeavor to maintain continuous sympathy and understanding between the employerand the workmen;
(b) To promote settlement of differences and disputes through bilateral negotiations;
 
(c) to  promote  security  of  employment  for  the  workmen  and conditions of safety, healthand job satisfaction in their work;
(d) to take measures for facilitating good and harmonious  working conditions in  theestablishment; to provide educational facilities for children of workmen in secretarial andaccounting procedures and to promote their absorption in these departments of theestablishment; and
(e) to discuss any other matter of mutual interest with a view to promoting better labourmanagement relations.
41. Redress of individual grievances.__ (1) A worker may bring his grievance in respect of anyright guaranteed or secured to him by or under any law or any award or settlement for the time beingin force to the notice of his employer in writing, either himself or through his shop steward orcollective bargaining agent within three months of the day on which the cause of such grievancearises.
(2) Where a worker himself brings his grievance to the notice of the employer, the employer shall,within fifteen days of the grievance being brought to his notice, communicate his decision in writingto the worker.
(3) Where a worker brings his grievance to the notice of his employer through his shop steward orcollective bargaining agent, the employer shall, within seven days of the grievance being brought tohis notice, communicate his decision in writing to the shop steward or as the case may be thecollective bargaining agent.
(4) If the employer fails to communicate a decision within the period specified in subsection (2)or, as the case may be subsection (3), or if the worker is dissatisfied with such decision, the workeror the shop steward may take the matter to his collective bargaining agent or the Labour Court or, asthe case may be, the collective bargaining agent may take the matter to the Labour Court, and wherethe matter is taken to the Labour Court, it shall give a decision within seven days from the date of thematter being brought before it as if such matter were an industrial dispute:
Provided that a worker who desires to so take the matter to the Labour Court shall  do so within aperiod of two months from the date of the communication of the employer or, as the case may be,from the expiry of the period mentioned in subsection (2),  or subsection (3), as the case may be.
(5) In adjudicating and determining a grievance under subsection (4), the Labour Court shall gointo all the facts of the case and pass such orders as may be just and proper in the circumstances ofthe case.
(6) If a decision under subsection (4) or an order under subsection (5) given by the LabourCourt or a decision of the Tribunal in an appeal against such a decision or order is not given effect toor complied with within a week or within the period specified in such order or decision, the defaultershall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine whichmay extend to fifty thousand rupees, or with both.
 
(7) No person shall be prosecuted under subsection (6) except on a complaint in writing
(a) by the workman if the order or decision in his favour is not implemented within the periodspecified therein; or
(b) by the Labour Court or Tribunal, if an order or decision thereof is not complied with.
(8) For the  purposes  of  this  section, workers  having common grievance arising out of acommon cause of action may make a joint application to the Labour Court.
42. Negotiations relating to differences and disputes.__ (1) If at any time an employer or acollective bargaining agent finds that an industrial dispute has arisen or is likely to arise, the employeror,  as the case may be, the collective bargaining agent, may communicate his or its views in writingeither to the Works Council or to the other party so, however, that,  where the views are socommunicated to the Works Council, a copy of the communication  shall also be sent to the otherparty.
(2) On receipt of the communication under subsection (1) the Works Council or the partyreceiving it shall try to settle the dispute by bilateral negotiations within ten days of receipt  of thecommunication  or within such further period as may be agreed upon by the parties and, if the partiesreach a settlement, a memorandum of settlement shall be recorded in writing and signed by both theparties and a copy thereof shall be forwarded to the Conciliator and the authorities mentioned inclause (xxv) of section 2.
(3) Where a settlement is not reached between the employer and the collective bargaining agentor, if the views of the employer or collective bargaining agent have been communicated under subsection (1) to the Works Council, there is a failure of bilateral negotiations in the Works Council, theemployer or the collective bargaining agent may, within seven days from the end of the periodreferred to in subsection (2), serve on the other party to the dispute a notice of lockout or strike, asthe case may be, in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
43. Conciliator.__ (1) The Provincial Government shall, by notification in the official Gazette,appoint as many persons as it considers necessary to be Conciliators for the purposes of this Act andshall specify in the notification the area within which, or the class of establishments or industries inrelation to which, each one of them shall perform his functions.
(2) The Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, appoint as many personsas it considers necessary to act as Conciliators in such disputes as the National Industrial RelationsCommission is competent to adjudicate and determine under this Act.
44. Notice of strike or lockout. The period of a notice of lockout or strike given under subsection (3) of section 42 shall be fourteen days.
 
45. Conciliation after notice of strike or lockout. Where a party to an industrial dispute servesa notice of strike or lockout under section 42, it shall, simultaneously with the service of such notice,deliver a copy thereof to the Conciliator who shall proceed to conciliate in the dispute and to theLabour Court. 
46. Proceedings before Conciliator.__(1) The Conciliator shall, as soon as possible, call ameeting of the parties to the dispute for the purpose of bringing about a settlement.
(2) The parties to the dispute shall be represented before the Conciliator by persons nominated bythem and authorized to negotiate and enter into an agreement binding on the parties:
Provided that if, in the opinion of the Conciliator, the presence of the employer or any officer ofthe trade union connected with the dispute is necessary in a meeting called by him, he shall givenotice in writing requiring the employer or such officer to appear in person before him at the place,date and time, specified in the notice and it shall be the duty of the employer or the officer of thetrade union to comply with the notice.
(3) The Conciliator shall perform such functions in relation to a dispute before him as may beprescribed and may, in particular, suggest to either party to the dispute such concessions ormodifications in its demand as are in the opinion of the Conciliator likely to promote an amicablesettlement of the dispute.
(4) If a settlement of the dispute or of any matter in dispute is arrived at in the course of theproceedings before him, the Conciliator shall send a report thereof to the Provincial Governmenttogether with a memorandum of settlement signed by the parties to the dispute.
(5) If no settlement is arrived at within the period of the notice of strike or lookout, theconciliation proceedings may be continued for such further period as may be agreed upon by theparties.
47. Arbitration.__ (1) If the conciliation fails, the Conciliator shall try to persuade the parties toagree to refer the dispute to an arbitrator. In case the parties agree, they shall make a joint request inwriting for reference of the dispute to an arbitrator agreed upon by them.
(2) The arbitrator to whom a dispute is referred under subsection (1) may be a person borne on apanel to be maintained by the Provincial Government or any other person agreed upon by the parties.
(3) The arbitrator shall give his award within a period of thirty days from the date on which thedispute is referred to him under subsection (1) or such further period as may be agreed upon by theparties to the dispute.
(4) After he has made an award, the arbitrator shall forward a copy thereof to the parties and tothe Provincial Government who shall cause it to be published in the official Gazette.
 
(5) The award of the arbitrator shall be final and no appeal shall lie against it. It shall be valid fora period not exceeding two years, as may be fixed by the arbitrator.
48. Strike and lockout.__ (1) If no settlement is arrived at during the course of conciliationproceedings and the parties to the dispute do not agree to refer it to an arbitrator under section 47, theworkmen may go on strike or, as the case may be, the employer may declare a lockout, on theexpiration of the period of the notice under section 44 or upon a declaration by the Conciliator thatthe conciliation proceedings have failed, whichever is the later.
(2) The party raising a dispute may at any time either before or after the commencement of astrike or lockout make an application to the Labour Court for adjudication of the dispute.
(3) Where a strike or lockout lasts for more than thirty days, the Federal Government, if it relatesto a dispute which the Commission is competent to adjudicate and determine, and the ProvincialGovernment, if it relates to any other dispute, may by order in writing, prohibit the strike or lockout:
Provided that the Federal Government may, with respect to a strike or lockout relating to adispute which the Commission is competent to a adjudicate and determine and the ProvincialGovernment, with the previous approval of the Federal Government, may, with respect to any otherstrike or lockout, by order in writing, prohibit a strike or lockout at any time before the expiry ofthirty days, if it is satisfied that the continuance of such a strike or lockout is causing serioushardship to the community or is prejudicial to the national interest.
(4) In any case in which the Federal Government or the Provincial Government prohibits a strikeor lockout, it shall forthwith refer the dispute to the Commission or, as the case may be, the LabourCourt.
(5) The Commission or, as the case may be, the Labour Court shall, after giving both the partiesto the dispute an opportunity of being heard, make such award as it deems fit as expeditiously aspossible but not exceeding thirty days from the date on which the dispute referred to it:
Provided that the Commission or, as the case may be, the Labour Court may also make an interimaward on any matter in dispute:
Provided further that any delay by the Commission or, as the case may be, the Labour Court inmaking an award shall not affect the validity of any award made by it.
(6) An award of the Commission or, as the case may be, the Labour Court shall be for suchperiod as may be specified in the award which shall not be more than two years.
49. Strike or lockout in public utility services.__ (1)  The  Federal Government, in the case ofa strike or lockout relating to
 
(a) an industrial dispute of national importance; or
(b) an industrial dispute in respect of any of the public utility services,
which the Commission is competent to adjudicate and determine, and the Provincial Government inthe case of a strike or lockout relating to an industrial dispute in respect of any of the public utilityservices which the Commission is not competent to adjudicate and determine, may, by order inwriting, prohibit a strike or lockout at any time before or after the commencement of the strike orlockout.
(2) The provisions of subsections (4), (5) and (6) of section 48 shall also apply to an order madeunder subsection (1) above as they apply to an order made under subsection (3) of that section.
50. Application to Labour Court. Any collective bargaining agent or any employer may applyto the Labour Court for the enforcement of any right guaranteed or secured to it or him by or underany law or any award or settlement.
51. Raising of industrial dispute by federation.__ (1) Notwithstanding anything contained inthis Act, a federation of industrywise trade unions or federation at the national level may, if it is acollective bargaining agent raise an industrial dispute affecting all employers or workers of theestablishments represented by that federation and a decision of the Commission shall be binding onall such employers and workers.
(2) No collective bargaining agent shall, at any time when a decision of the Commission in respectof any matter is effective, be entitled to raise a demand relating to that matter.
52. Labour Court.__ (1) The Provincial Government may, by notification in the official Gazette,establish as many Labour Courts as it considers necessary and, where itestablishes more than oneLabour Court, shall specify in the notification the territorial limits within which or the industries orclasses of cases in respect of which, each one of them shall exercise jurisdiction under this Act.
(2) A Labour Court shall consist of one Presiding Officer appointed by the ProvincialGovernment.
(3) A person shall not be qualified for appointment  as Presiding Officer unless he has been or is,or is a District Judge or an Additional District Judge:
Provided that the Provincial Government of Baluchistan may, after consultation with the FederalGovernment, appoint any person not so qualified to be the Presiding Officer of a Labour Court.
(4) A Labour Court shall
(a) adjudicate and determine an industrial dispute which has been referred to, or broughtbefore it under this  Act;
(b) equire into and adjudicate any matter relating to the implementation or violation of asettlement which is referred to it by the Provincialn
 
Government;
(c) try offences under this Act and such other offences under any other law as the ProvincialGovernment may, by notification in the official Gazette, specify in this behalf; and
(d) exercise and perform such other powers and functions as are or may be conferred upon orassigned to it by or under this Act or any other law.
53. Procedure and powers of Labour Court.__ (1) Subject  to  the provisions of this Act, whiletrying an offence a Labour Court shall follow as nearly as possible summary procedure as prescribedunder the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898).
(2) A Labour Court shall, for the purpose of adjudicating and determining any industrial dispute,be deemed to be a Civil Court and shall have the same powers as are vested in such Court under theCode of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908), including the powers of__
(a) enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
(b) compelling the production of documents and material objects; and
(c) issuing  commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents.
(3) A Labour Court shall, for the purpose of trying an offence under this Act or  the Industrial andCommercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968 (W.P. Ordinance VI of 1968) have thesame powers as are vested in the Court of a Magistrate of the first class specially empowered undersection 30 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898).
(4) No court fee shall be payable for filing, exhibiting or recording any document in, or obtainingany document from,  a Labour Court.
(5) If the parties to a case, at any time before a final order is passed by the Labour Court satisfythe Labour Court that the matter has been resolved by them amicably and that there are sufficientgrounds for withdrawing the case, it may allow such withdrawal.
54. Awards and decisions of Labour Court.__ (1) An award or decision of a Labour Court shallbe given in writing and delivered in open Court and two copies thereof shall be forwarded, forthwithto the Provincial Government, provided that if the Federal Government be a party, two copies of theaward or decision shall be forwarded to that Government as well.
(2) The Provincial Government shall, within  a period of one month from the receipt of the copiesof the award or decision, publish it in the official Gazette.
(3) Any party aggrieved by an award given under subsection (1) or a decision given undersection 41 or section 50 or a sentence passed under clause (c) of subsection (4) of section 52 mayprefer an appeal to the Labour Appellate Tribunal within thirty days of the delivery or passing thereofand the decision of the Tribunal in such appeal shall be
 
final.
(4) Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, all decisions of, and all sentences passed bya Labour Court, shall be final and shall not be called in question in any manner by or before anyCourt or other authority.
55. Labour Appellate Tribunal.__ (1) The Provincial Government may, by notification in theofficial Gazette, constitute as many Tribunals consisting of one member as it may consider necessaryand, where it constitutes more than one Tribunal, shall specify in the notification the territorial limitswithin which or the class of cases in relation to which, each one of them shall exercise jurisdictionunder this Act.
(2) The member of the Tribunal shall be a person who is or has been a Judge or an AdditionalJudge of a High Court, and shall be appointed on such terms and conditions as Government maydetermine.
(3) The Tribunal may, on appeal, confirm, set aside, vary or modify the award or decision givenunder section 41 or section 51 or a sentence passed under clause (c) of  subsection (4) of  section 52and shall exercise all the powers conferred by this Act to the Court, save as otherwise provided. Thedecision of the Tribunal shall be delivered as expeditiously as possible, within a period of sixty daysfollowing the filing of the appeal,  provided such decision shall not be rendered invalid by reason ofany delay in its delivery.
(4) The Tribunal may, on its own motion at any time, call for the record of any case orproceedings under this Act in which a Labour Court within its jurisdiction has passed an order for thepurpose of satisfying itself as to the correctness, legality, or propriety of such order,  and may passsuch order in relation thereto as it thinks fit:
Provided that no order under this subsection shall be passed revising or modifying any orderadversely affecting any person without giving such person a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
(5) The Tribunal shall follow such procedure as may be prescribed.
(6) The Tribunal shall have authority to punish for contempt of its authority, or that of anyLabour Court subject to its appellate jurisdiction, as if it were a High Court.
(7) Any person convicted and sentenced by the Tribunal under sub section (6) to imprisonmentfor any period, or to pay a fine exceeding fifteen thousand rupees, may prefer an appeal to the HighCourt.
(8) A Tribunal may, on its own motion or on the application of a Party, transfer any application orproceeding from a Labour Court within its jurisdiction to any other such Labour Court.
(9) Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (3) if in an appeal preferred to it againstthe order of a Labour Court directing the re instatement of a workman, the Tribunal makes an orderstaying the operation of the order of the Labour Court, the Tribunal shall decide such appeal withintwenty days of its being preferred:
Provided that, if such appeal is not decided within the period aforesaid, the order of
 
the Tribunal shall stand vacated on the expiration of that period.
56. Settlements and awards on whom binding.__ (1) A settlement arrived at in the course of aconciliation proceedings, or otherwise between the employer and the collective bargaining agent or anaward of an arbitrator prescribed under section 47, or an award or decision of a Labour Courtdelivered under section 54 or the decision of the Tribunal under section 55 shall
(a) be binding on all parties to the industrial dispute;
(b) be binding on all other parties summoned to appear in any proceedings before a LabourCourt as parties to the industrial dispute, unless the Court specifically otherwise directs inrespect of any such party;
(c) be binding on the heirs, successors or assignees of the employer in respect of theestablishment to which the industrial dispute relates where an employer is one of theparties to the dispute; and
(d) where a collective bargaining agent is one of the parties to the dispute, be binding on allworkmen who were employed in the establishment or industry to which the industrialdispute relates on the date on which the dispute first arose or who are employed thereinafter that date:
Provided that, where a collective bargaining agent or a trade union performing the functions of acollective bargaining agent under section 71 exists, the employer shall not enter into a settlement withany other trade union, and any contravention of this provision shall be deemed to be an unfair labourpractice under section 17.
(2) A settlement arrived at by agreement between the employer and a trade union otherwise thanin the course of conciliation proceedings shall be binding on the parties to the agreement.
57. Effective date of settlement, award, etc.__ (1) A settlement shall become effective
(a) if a date is agreed upon by the parties to the dispute to which it relates, on such date; and
(b) if a date is not so agreed upon, on the date on which the memorandum of the settlement issigned by the parties.
(2) A settlement shall be binding for such period as is agreed upon by the parties but notexceeding two years, and if no such period is  agreed upon for a period of one year from the date onwhich the memorandum of settlement is signed by the parties to the dispute and shall continue to bebinding on the parties after the expiry of the aforesaid period until the expiry of two months from thedate on which either party informs the other party in writing of its intention no longer to be bound bythe settlement.
(3) An award given under subsection (1) of section 54 shall, unless an appeal against it ispreferred to the Tribunal, become effective on such date and remain effective for such period, notexceeding two years, as may be specified therein. The Arbitrator, the Labour Court, or, as the casemay be, the Tribunal, shall specify dates from which the
 
award on  various demands shall be effective and the time limit by which it shall be implemented ineach case:
Provided that if, at any time before the expiry of the said period, any party bound by an awardapplies to the Labour  Court which made the award for reduction of the said period on the groundthat the circumstances in which the award was made have materially changed, the Labour Court may,by order made after giving to the other party an opportunity of being heard, terminate the said periodon a date specified in the order.
(4) A decision of the Tribunal in appeal under subsection (3) of section 55 shall be effective fromthe date of the award.
(5) Notwithstanding the expiry of the period for which an award is to be effective under subsection (3), the award shall continue to be binding on the parties until the expiry of two months fromthe date on which either party informs the other party in writing of its intention no longer to be boundby the award.
58. Commencement and conclusion of proceedings.__ (1) A conciliation proceeding shall bedeemed to have commenced on the date on which a notice of strike or lockout is received by theConciliator under section 44.
(2) A conciliation proceeding shall be deemed to have concluded
(a) where a settlement is arrived at, on the date on which a memorandum of settlement issigned by the parties to the dispute; and
(b) where no settlement is arrived at –
(i) if the dispute is refereed to an arbitrator under section 47 on the date on which thearbitrator has given his award or otherwise; or
(ii) on the date on which the period of the notice of strike or lockout expires.
(3) Proceedings before a Labour Court shall be deemed to have commenced
(a) in relation to an industrial dispute, on the date on which an application has been madeunder section 48 or section 50, or on the date on which it is referred to the Labour Courtby the Provincial Government under section 48 or section 49; and
(b) in relation to any other matter, on the date on which it is referred to the Labour Court.
(4) Proceedings before the Commission in relation to a dispute referred to it under section 48 orsection 49 or to a dispute raised under section 51 shall be deemed to have commenced on the date onwhich the reference is made to it or, as the case may be, the dispute is raised before it.
(5) Proceedings before the Commission or a Labour Court shall be deemed to
 
have concluded on the date on which the award or decision is delivered under subsection (1) ofsection 54.
59. Certain matters to be kept confidential. There shall not be included in any report, award ordecision under  this Act any information obtained by  a Registrar, Conciliator, Labour Court,Arbitrator or Tribunal in the course of any investigation or inquiry  as to  a trade union  or as to  anyindividual business (whether carried on by a person, firm or company) which is not availableotherwise than through the evidence given before such authority, if the trade union, person, firm, orcompany in question has made a request in writing to the authority that such information shall betreated as confidential, nor shall such proceedings disclose any such information without the consentin writing of the Secretary of the trade union or the person, firm or company in question, as the casemay be:
Provided that nothing contained in this section shall apply to disclosure of any such informationfor the purpose of a prosecution under section 193 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860).
60. Raising of industrial disputes. No industrial dispute shall be deemed to exist unless it hasbeen raised in the prescribed manner by a collective bargaining agent or an employer.
61. Prohibition of serving notice of strike or lockout while proceedings pending. No noticeof strike or lockout shall be served by any party to an industrial dispute while any conciliationproceedings or proceedings before an Arbitrator or a Labour Court or an appeal to the Tribunal undersubsection (3) of section 55 are or is pending in respect of any matter constituting such industrialdispute.
62. Powers of Labour Court and Tribunal to prohibit strike, etc.__ (1) When a strike or lockout in pursuance of an industrial dispute has already commenced and is in existence at the time when,in respect of such industrial dispute, there is made to, or is pending before, a Labour Court anapplication, under section 50, the Labour Court may, by  an order in writing prohibit continuance ofthe strike or lockout.
(2) When an appeal in respect of any matter arising out of an industrial dispute is preferred to aTribunal under section 55, the Tribunal may, by an order in writing, prohibit continuance of any strikeor lockout in pursuance of such industrial dispute which had already commenced and was inexistence on the date on which the appeal was preferred.
63. Illegal strikes and lockout.__ (1) A strike or lockout shall be illegal if
(a) it is declared, commenced or continued without giving to the other party to the dispute, inthe prescribed manner, a notice of strike or lockout or before the date of strike or lockout specified in such notice, or in contravention of section 61;
(b) it is declared, commenced or continued in consequence of an industrial dispute raised in amanner other than that provided in section 60
(c) it is continued in contravention of an order made under section 48, section 49, section 62or subsection (3) of section 64; or
 
 
(d) it is declared, commenced or continued during the period in which a settlement  or awardis in operation in  respect  of any of the matters covered by a settlement or award.
 (2) A lockout declared in consequence of an illegal strike and a strike declared in consequenceof an illegal lockout shall not be deemed to be illegal.
64. Procedure in cases of illegal strikes or lockout.__ (1) Notwithstanding anything containedin any other provision of this Act or in any other law for the time being in force, an Officer of theLabour Department not below the rank of Assistant Director Labour Welfare hereinafter in thissection referred to as the Officer, may make enquiries in such manner as he may deem fit into anillegal strike or illegal lockout in a factory and make a report to the Labour Court.
(2) After completing the enquiry the Officer shall serve a notice on the employer and thecollective bargaining agent or the registered trade union concerned with the dispute to appear beforethe Labour Court on a date to be fixed by that Court.
(3) The Labour  Court may,  within ten days following the day on which it receives a report undersubsection (1), after considering the report and hearing such of the parties as appear before it, orderthe strike to be called off or the lockout to be lifted.
(4) If the employer contravenes the order of the Labour Court under subsection (3) and theCourt is satisfied that the continuance of the lockout is causing serious hardship to the community oris prejudicial to the national interest, it may issue  an order for the attachment of the factory  and forthe appointment of an official receiver for such period as it deems fit, and such period as may bevaried from time to time.
(5) The official receiver shall exercise the powers of management and may transact business,enter into contracts, give valid discharge of all moneys received and do or omit to do all such acts asare necessary for conducting the business of the factory.
(6) The Labour Court may, in appointing and regularizing the work of an official receiver exercisethe powers of a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908).
(7) If the workers contravene the order of the Labour Court under sub section (3), the Court maypass orders of dismissal against all or any of the striking workers and, notwithstanding anything to thecontrary contained in this Act, if the Court, after holding such inquiry as it deems fit, records itsfinding  that  any  registered  trade  union  has  committed  or  abetted  the  commission  of  suchcontravention, the finding shall have the effect of cancellation of the registration of such trade unionand debarring all officers of such trade union from holding office in that or in any other trade unionfor the unexpired term of their offices and for the term immediately following:
 
Provided that the Court may review its orders if good and sufficient cause is shown by anaffected worker within seven days of such orders of dismissal.
(8) Subject to any rules made by the Provincial Government in this behalf, the officer may, forthe purpose of enquiry under subsection (1), within the local limits for which he is appointed, enterwith such assistants, if any, being persons in the service of Pakistan, as he thinks fit, in a factory,where he has reason to believe an illegal strike or lockout to be in progress, and make suchexamination of the premises and plant and of any registers maintained therein and take on the spot orotherwise such evidence of persons and exercise such other powers as he may deem necessary forcarrying out the purposes of this section.
(9) The officer shall have authority to call any party to such dispute to his office or secure hispresence in the factory and shall also have the power to bind any party to the dispute to appearbefore the Labour Court.
(10) Where a party to an illegal strike or lockout, on being required or bound under this sectionto appear before the officer or the Labour Court, does not so appear, the officer or Labour Court, asthe case may be, may, besides taking such other action as may be admissible under this Act, proceedexparte.
65. Conditions  of  service  to  remain  unchanged  while  proceedings pending.__ (1)  No employer  shall,  while  any  conciliation  proceedings  or proceedings before an Arbitrator, a LabourCourt or Tribunal in respect of an industrial dispute are pending, alter  to the disadvantage of anyworkman concerned in such dispute, the conditions of service applicable to him before thecommencement of the conciliation proceedings or of the proceedings before at the Arbitrator, theLabour Court or Tribunal, as the case may be, nor shall he
(a) save with the permission of the Conciliator, while any conciliation proceedings arepending; or
(b) save with the permission of the Arbitrator, the Labour Court of Tribunal, while anyproceedings before the Arbitrator, Labour Court or Tribunal are pending, discharge,dismiss or otherwise punish any workman except for misconduct not connected with suchdispute.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (1), an officer of a registered trade unionshall not, during the pendency of any proceedings referred to in subsection (1), be discharged,terminated, dismissed or otherwise punished  for misconduct, except  with  the  previous permission of the Labour Court. However, the terms and conditions of the employment secured by the workersthrough collective bargaining, agreements,  settlements, awards and decisions of Courts shall continueto be binding upon the parties until revised for betterment of workers.
66. Removal of fixed assets. No employer shall remove any fixed assets of the establishmentduring the currency of an illegal lockout or a strike which is not illegal:
 
 
Provided that Labour Court may, subject to such conditions as it may impose, cause to beremoved any such fixed assets for safe custody to avoid damage to such assets due to flood, fire,catastrophe or civil commotion.
67. Protection of certain persons.__ (1) No person refusing to take part or to continue to takepart in any illegal strike or illegal lockout shall, by reasons of such refusal, be subject to expulsionfrom any trade union or to any fine or penalty or to the deprivation of any right or benefit which he orhis legal representatives would otherwise have been entitled, or be liable to be placed in any respect,either directly or indirectly, under any disability or disadvantage as compared with other members ofthe trade union.
(2) Any contravention of the provisions of subsection (1) may be made the subject matter of anindustrial dispute, and nothing in the constitution of a trade union providing the manner in which anydispute between its executive and members, shall be settled shall apply to any proceedings forenforcing any right  or exemption granted  by subsection (1). In any such proceeding, the LabourCourt may, in lieu of ordering a person who has been expelled from membership of a trade union tobe restored to membership, order that he be paid out of the funds of the trade union such sum by wayof compensation or damages as the Court thinks just.
68. Representation of parties.__ (1) A workman who is a party to an industrial dispute shall beentitled to be represented in any proceedings under this Act by an officer of a collective bargainingagent and subject to the provisions of subsection (2) and subsection (3) any employer who is a partyto an industrial dispute shall be entitled to be represented in any such proceedings by a person dulyauthorized by him.
(2) No party to an industrial dispute shall be entitled to be represented by a legal practitioner inany conciliation proceedings under this Act.
(3) A party to an industrial dispute may be represented by a legal practitioner in any proceedingsbefore the Labour Court, or before an Arbitrator, with the permission of the Court or the Arbitrator,as the case may be.
69. Interpretation of settlement and awards.__ (1) If any difficulty or doubt arises as to theinterpretation of any provisions of an award or settlement, it shall be referred to the Tribunalconstituted under this Act.
(2) The Tribunal to which a matter is referred under subsection (1) shall after giving the partiesan opportunity of being heard, decide the matter, and its decision shall be final and binding on theparties.
70. Recovery of money due from an employer under settlement or award.__ (1)  Any moneydue from an employer under a settlement, or under an award or decision of the Arbitrator, LabourCourt or Tribunal may be recovered as arrears of land revenue or as a public demand if, upon theapplication of the person entitled to the money, the Labour Court so directs.
(2) Where any workman is entitled to receive from the employer any benefit, under a settlementor under an award or decision of the Arbitrator, Labour Court or Tribunal, which is capable of beingcomputed in terms of money, the amount at which such benefit shall be computed may, subject to therule made under this Act, be determined and
 
recovered as provided for in subsection (1) and paid to the workman concerned within a specifieddate. Labour Court shall have the powers of Collector GradeI and shall exercise such powers ofrecovery as determined by it.
71. Performance of functions pending ascertainment of collective bargaining agent. Any actor function which is by this Act required to be performed by or has been conferred upon a collectivebargaining agent may, until a collective bargaining agent has been certified under the provisions ofthis Act, be performed by a registered  trade  union  which  has been recognized by the employer oremployers.
72. Penalty for unfair labour practices.__ (1) Whoever contravenes the provisions  of section10 shall  be liable  to fine which may extend to  twenty thousand rupees.
(2) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 17 shall be liable to fine which may extend tothirty thousand rupees.
(3) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 18, other than those of clause (d) of subsection (1) thereof, shall be liable to fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees.
(4) An officer of a trade union, a workman or person other than a workman who contravenes orabets the contravention of the provisions of clause (d) of subsection (1) of section 18 shall be liableto fine which may extend to thirty thousand rupees.
(5) Where the person accused of an offence under subsection (4) is an officer of a trade union,the National Industrial Relations Commission may, in addition to any other punishment which it mayaward to such person under that subsection, direct that he shall cease to hold the office of suchofficer and be disqualified  from holding any office in any trade union during the term immediatelyfollowing the term in which he so ceases to hold office.
(6) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 66 shall be liable to fine which may extend tofifty thousand rupees.
(7) Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to exclude the jurisdiction of a Labour Court or the Courtof a Magistrate to try a case under this section if it is authorized to do so by general or special orderof the Commission.
73. Penalty for committing breach of settlement. Whoever commits any breach of any term ofany settlement, award or decision which is binding on him under this Act shall be punishable
(a) for the first offence, with fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees; and
(b) or each subsequent offence; with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees.
 
 
74. Penalty for failing to implement settlement, etc. Whoever willfully fails to implement anyterm of any settlement, award or decision which it is his duty under this Act to implement shall bepunishable with a fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees, and, in the case of continuingfailure, with a further fine which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day after the firstduring which the failure continues.
75. Penalty for false statement, etc.__ Whoever willfully makes or causes to be made in anyapplication or other document under this Act or the rules made there under, any statement which heknows or has reason to believe to be false, or willfully neglects or fails to maintain or furnish any list,documents or information he is required to maintain or furnish,under this Act or the rules made thereunder shall be punishable with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees.
76. Penalty for discharging officer of trade union in certain circumstances, etc. Anyemployer who contravenes the provision of section 65 shall be punishable with fine which mayextend to twenty thousand rupees.
77. Penalty for embezzlement or misappropriation of funds. Any officer or any  employee of aregistered trade union, guilty of embezzlement or misappropriation of trade union funds, shall beliable to a fine, double the amount found by the Court to have been embezzled or misappropriated. Upon realization, the amount of fine may be reimbursed by the Court to the trade union concerned.
78. Penalty for other offences. Whoever contravenes, or fails to comply with, any of theprovisions of this Act shall, if no other penalty is provided by this Act for such contravention orfailure, be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.
79. Offence to be noncognizable. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of CriminalProcedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898) no police officer shall be competent to arrest without warrant anemployer or a worker for an offence under this Act other than the offence of illegal strike or illegallockout continued in contravention of an order made under subsection (3) of section 64.
80. Offences by corporation. Where the person guilty of any offence under this Act is acompany or other body corporate, every director, manager, secretary or other officer or agent thereofshall, unless he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or consent or that heexercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of the offence, be deemed to be guilty of suchoffence: Provided that, where a company has intimated to Government in writing the name of any ofits directors resident in Pakistan whom it has nominated for the purpose of this section and theoffence is committed while such director continues to be so nominated, only such director shall be sodeemed to be guilty of such offence.
81. Trial of offences. Save as provided in this Act, no Court other than a Labour Court or that ofa Magistrate of the  first class shall try  any offence punishable under this Act.
82. Indemnity. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against any person foranything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or any rule.
 
 
83. Registrar, etc., to be public servants. A Registrar, a Conciliator, the Presiding Officer of aLabour Court, the member of a Tribunal, and the Chairman and a member of the Commission shall bedeemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLVof 1860).
84. Limitation. The provisions of section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1908 (IX of 1908), shall applyin computing the period within which an application is to be made, or any other thing is to be done,under this Act.
85. Power to make rules.__ (1) The Federal Government may make rules for carrying out thepurposes of this Act in relation to the Commission.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (1), the Provincial Government may, in consultation withthe Federal Government, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
(3) Rules make under this section may provide that a contravention thereof shall be punishablewith fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.
86. Transfer of pending proceedings. All appeals and applications of any kind pending in anyHigh Court immediately before the commencement of this Act shall stand transferred to the LabourAppellate Tribunals from the date of the commencement of this Act and it shall not be necessary forthe Labour Appellate Tribunals to recall any witness or record any evidence that may have beenrecorded.
87. Repeal and savings.__ (1)  The Industrial Relations Ordinance 2002 (XCI of 2002), is herebyrepealed.
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Industrial Relations Ordinance, 2002 (XCI of 2002,hereinafter to be called the repealed Ordinance, and without prejudice to the provisions of sections 6and 24 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 (X of 1897)
(a) every trade union existing immediately before  the commencement of this Act, which wasregistered under the repealed Ordinance shall be deemed to be registered under this Actand its constitution shall continue in force until altered or rescinded;
(b) anything done, rules made, notification or order issued, officer appointed, Courtconstituted, notice given, proceedings commenced or other actions taken under therepealed Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done, made, issued, appointed,constituted, given, commenced or taken, as the case  may  be, under the correspondingprovisions of this Act; and
88. Former registration offices, officers, etc., to continue.__ (1) The offices existing at thecommencement of this Act for registration of trade unions shall be continued as if they had beenestablished under this Act.
(2) Any person appointed to any office under, or by virtue of the provisions of the repealedOrdinance shall be deemed to have been appointed to that office under or by virtue of this Act.
 
(3) Any books of accounts, book, paper, register or document kept under the provisions of therepealed Ordinance relating to companies shall be deemed to be part of the books of accounts, book,paper, register or document to be kept under this Act.
89. Removal of difficulties. If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provisions of this Act,the Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make such order, notinconsistent with the provisions, of this Act, as may appear to it to be necessary for the purpose ofremoving the difficulty;
Provided that no such power shall be exercised after the expiry of two years from the coming intoforce of this Act.
 
________
SCHEDULE
PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICES
[See section 2(xxi)]
 
1.  he generation, production, manufacture, or supply of electricity, gas, oil or water to thepublic.
2. Any system of public conservancy or sanitation.
3. Hospitals and ambulance services.
4. Firefighting service.
5. Any postal, telegraph or telephone service.
6. Railways and Airways.
7. Ports.
8. Watch  and  Ward  Staff  and  security  services  maintained  in  any establishment.

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Societies Registration Act, 1860 · Federal
SOCIETIES REGISTRATION ACT, 1860 · Punjab

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n and a commonseal and the power to contract and to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable andimmovable, and shall by the said name sue or be sued. (2) The Societies Registration Act, 1860 (XXIV of 1860), the Co operative Societies Act, 1925(W.P.Act VII of 1925) and the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984), shall not apply to anyregistered trade union and the registration of any trade union under any of thes

Industrial Relations Act, 2008 (Repealed by Act X of 2012)

Section 7. Disqualification for being an officer of a trade union

Section 8. Registered trade union to maintain register, etc

Section 9. Registration

Section 11. Certificate of registration

Section 12. Cancellation of registration

Section 16. Incorporation of registered trade union

Section 17. Unfair labour practices on the part of employers

Section 18. Unfair labour practices on the part of a workmen

Section 20. Immunity from civil suit in certain cases

Section 22. Registration of federation of trade unions

Section 23. Returns

Section 24. Collective bargaining agent

Section 25. National Industrial Relations Commission

Section 28. Appeals

Section 30. Determination, etc., of collective bargaining unit

Section 31. Power to make regulations

Section 32. Check off

Section 33. Shop steward to act as link between labour and management

Section 34. Workers participation in management

Section 35. Joint management board

Section 36. Inspector

Section 38. Penalty for contravening section 34 or section 35, etc

Section 39. Works Council

Section 41. Redress of individual grievances

Section 42. Negotiations relating to differences and disputes

Section 43. Conciliator

Section 46. Proceedings before Conciliator

Section 47. Arbitration

Section 48. Strike and lock­out

Section 49. Strike or lock­out in public utility services

Section 51. Raising of industrial dispute by federation

Section 52. Labour Court

Section 53. Procedure and powers of Labour Court

Section 54. Awards and decisions of Labour Court

Section 55. Labour Appellate Tribunal

Section 56. Settlements and awards on whom binding

Section 57. Effective date of settlement, award, etc

Section 58. Commencement and conclusion of proceedings

Section 62. Powers of Labour Court and Tribunal to prohibit strike, etc

Section 63. Illegal strikes and lock­out

Section 64. Procedure in cases of illegal strikes or lock­out

Section 65. Conditions of service to remain unchanged while proceedings pending

Section 67. Protection of certain persons

Section 68. Representation of parties

Section 69. Interpretation of settlement and awards

Section 70. Recovery of money due from an employer under settlement or award

Section 72. Penalty for unfair labour practices

Section 75. Penalty for false statement, etc

Section 85. Power to make rules

Section 87. Repeal and savings

Section 88. Former registration offices, officers, etc., to continue

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Section 34

Section 35

Section 47

Section 24

Section 43

Section 30

Section 52

Section 14

Section 55

Section 78

Section 9

Section 7

Section 12

Section 12

Section 24

Section 44

Section 24B

Section 120

Section 6

Section 72

Section 50

Section 31

Section 48. Strike and lockout

Section 49. Strike or lockout in public utility services

Section 63. Illegal strikes and lockout

Section 64. Procedure in cases of illegal strikes or lockout