INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL EMPLOYMENT (STANDING ORDERS) ORDINANCE, 1968

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THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL EMPLOYMENT 
(STANDING ORDERS) ORDINANCE, 1968 
(VI of 1968) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement. 
2. Definitions. 
3. Enforcement of Standing Order. 
4. Modification of Standing Orders. 
5. Posting of Standing Order. 
6. Inspectors. 
7. Penalties and procedure. 
7A. [Omitted] 
8. Power to exempt. 
9. Protection to existing conditions of employment. 
10. [Omitted] 
SCHEDULE 
STANDING ORDERS [SECTION 2(g)] 
1. Classification of workmen. 
2. Tickets. 
2A. Terms and conditions of service to be given in writing. 
3. Publication of working time. 
4. Publication of holidays and pay days. 
5. Publication of wage rates. 
6. Shift working. 
7. Attendance and late coming. 
8. Leave. 
9. Casual Leave. 
10. Payment of wages. 
10A. Groups incentive scheme. 
10B. Compulsory Group Insurance. 
10C. Payment of bonus. 
11. Stoppage of work. 
11A. Closure of establishment. 
12. Termination of employment. 
13. Procedure for retrenchment. 
14 Re-employment of retrenched workmen. 
14A. Special provision for construction workers. 
15. Punishments. 
16. Eviction from residential accommodation. 
17. [Omitted] 
18. [Omitted] 
19. Certificate of termination of service. 
20. Liability of employer. 
 
 
 
 
TEXT 
1
THE 
2
[* *] INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL EMPLOYMENT (STANDING 
ORDERS) ORDINANCE, 1968 
(VI of 1968) 
[22 May 1968] 
An 
Ordinance 
to amend and consolidate the law relating to industrial employment in the Province of 
West Pakistan. 
Preamble.– WHEREAS, it is expedient to amend and consolidate the law relating to 
industrial employment in the Province of West Pakistan; 
 AND WHEREAS  the Provincial Assemb ly of the West Pakistan is not in 
session and the Governor of the West Pakistan is satisfied that circumstances exist 
which render immediate legislation necessary;  
 NOW THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by clause (1) 
of Article 79 of t he Constitution, the Governor of West Pakistan is pleased to make 
and promulgate the following Ordinance:–  
1. Short title, extent and commencement .– (1) This Ordinance may be called 
the 
3
[* *] Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968.  
(2) It extends to the whole of the 
4
[
5
[the Punjab]] 
6
[* * * *]. 
(3) It shall come into force at once.  
(4) It applies to– 
7
[(a) every industrial establishment or commercial establishment wherein 
twenty or more workmen are employed, directly or through any o ther 
person whether on behalf of himself or any other person, or w here so 
employed on any day during the preceding twelve months;] 
8
[(b) * * * * * * * * *   ] 
 
1This Ordinance was promu lgated by the Governor of West Pakistan on March 8, 1968 and approved by the Provincial Assembly of 
West Pakistan on May 8, 1968 under clause (3) of Article 79 of the Constitution and assented by the Governor of West Pakistan on May 
18, 1968, published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 22, 1968, pp. 1922-A-1922-L. 
2Omitted the words “West Pakistan”  by the Finance Act,  2008 ( I of 200 8) (w.e.f. 1.7.2008), pu blished in the G azette of P akistan 
(Extraordinary), Part I, dated June 27, 2008, pp. 43-427, s. 4(1). 
3Ibid. 
4Substituted for the words “the Province of Pakistan” by the Federal Adaptation of Laws Order, 1975  (4 of 1975), published in the 
Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated August 1, 1975, pp. 435-467, Article 2(1) read with Schedule. 
5Substituted for the word “Pakistan”  by the Punjab Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) (Amendment) Act 2012 
(XXI of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40163-40164, s. 3. 
6Omitted the comma and words “, except the Tribal Areas” by the Labour Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 1972 (IX of 1972), published in 
the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated April 13, 1972, Article 2 read with First Schedule, Serial No. 5.  
7Substituted by the West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 1973), 
published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 2(a). 
8Omitted by the West Pakistan Industrial an d Commercial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 
1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 2(a). 
(c) such class or classes of other indu strial and commercial 
establishments as Government may, fr om time to time, by notification 
in the official Gazette, specify in this behalf:  
Provided that nothing in this Ordinance shall apply to industrial and  
commercial establishments carried on by or un der the authority of the 
Central or Provincial Government,  where statutory rules or service, 
conduct or discipline are applicable to the workmen employed therein  
1
[:] 
2
[Provided further that the p rovisions of Standing Orders 10 B and 11, 
clauses (6) and (8)  of Standing Order 12 and Standing Order 15 shall not 
apply, in the first instance, to any industrial establishment wherein not more 
than forty -nine persons were employed on any day during the preceding 
twelve months but Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, 
extend all or any of the said provis ions to any such industrial establishment or 
any class of such establishments]. 
2. Definitions.– In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the 
subject or context– 
(a) "collective agreemen t' means an agreement in writing intended to 
specify the conditions of employment, and entered into between one or 
more employers on the one hand, and one or more trade unions or, 
where there is no trade union, the duly authorized representatives of 
workmen, on the other;  
(b) "commercial establishment" means an esta blishment in which the 
business of advertising, commission or forwarding is conducted, or 
which is a commercial agency, and includes a clerical department of a 
factory or of any industrial or commer cial undertaking, the office 
establishment of a person who  for the purpose of fulfilling a contract 
with the owner of any commercial establishment or industrial 
establishment employs workmen, a unit of a  joint stock company, an 
insurance company, a banking  company or a bank, a broker's office or 
stock-exchange, a  club, a hotel, a restaurant or an eating house, a 
cinema or theatre, and such oth er establishment or class there of, as 
Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, declare to be a 
commercial establishment for the purposes of this Ordinance;  
3
[(bb) "construction industry" means an industry engaged in the construction, 
reconstruction, maintenance, repair, alteration or demolition of any 
building, railway, tramway, harbour, dock pier, canal, inland waterway, 
road, tunnel, bridge, dam, viaduct, se wer, drain, water work, well, 
telegraphic or telephonic installation, electrical undertaking, gas work, 
or other work of construction as well as the preparation for, or laying 
the foundations of, any such work or structure;] 
 
1Substituted for the full stop by the Act ibid., s. 2(b). 
2Added by the Act ibid. 
3Added by the West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 
1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 3(a). 
(c) employer" means the owner o f an industrial or commercial 
establishment to which this Ordinance for the time being applies, and 
includes–  
(i) in a factory, any person named under clause (e) of sub -section 
(1) of section 9 of the Factories Act, 1934 (XXV of 1934), as 
manager of the factory;  
(ii) in any industrial establishment under the control of any 
department of the Central or any Provincial Government, the 
authority appointed by such Government in this behalf, or where 
no such authority is so appointed, the head of the department;  
(iii) in any other industrial or commercial establishment, any person 
responsible to the owner for the supervision and control of such 
establishment;  
(d) "go-slow" means an organised, deliberate and purposeful slowing down 
of normal output or work by a  body of workers in a concerted manner 
and which is not due to any mechanical defect, break -down of 
machinery, failure or defect in power supply, or in the supply of normal 
materials and spare parts of machinery;  
(e) 
1
[“Government” means Government of the Punjab;] 
(f) "industrial establishment" means–  
(i) an industrial establishment as defined in clause (ii) of section 2 
of the Payment of Wages Act, 1936  (IV of 1936); or 
(ii) a factory as defined in clause (j) of section 2 of the Factories Act 
1934 (XXV of 1934); or  
(iii) a railway as defined in clause (4) of section 3 of the Railways 
Act, 1890 (IX of 1890); or  
2
[(iv) the establishment of a contractor who, directly or indirectly, 
employs workmen in connection with the execution of a contract 
to which he is a party, and includes the premises in which, or the 
site at which, any process connected with such execution is 
carried on; 
3
[or] 
4
[(v) the establishment of a person who, directly or indirectly,  
employs workmen in connection with any construction industry;] 
Explanation.– “Contractor” includes a sub-contractor, headman or agent.]  
 
1Substituted by the Punjab Industrial  and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) (Amendment) Act 2012 (XXI of 2012), 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40163-40164 s. 4. 
2Substituted by the Labour Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1972 (XVIII of 1972), published in the Gazette of Pakistan 
(Extraordinary), Part I, dated May 27, 1972, s. 2 read with Schedule, Serial No. 2. 
3Added by the West Pakistan Industrial and Commercia l Employment (St anding Orde rs) (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 
1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 3(b). 
4Ibid. 
(g) "Standing Orders" means the orders contained in the Schedule, read 
with such modifications, if any, as may be made  in pursuance of the 
provisions of section 4; 
1
[(h) "trade union" means a trade union for the time being registered under 
the 
2
[Punjab Industrial Relations Act 2010 (XIX of 2010)]; and] 
(i) ‘workman" means any person employed in any industrial or commercial 
establishment to do any skilled or unskilled, manual or clerical 
3
[work] 
for hire or reward.  
3. Enforcement of Standing Order .– In every industrial or commercial 
establishment, conditions of the employment of workmen and  other incidental 
matters shall  subject to the other provisions of this Ordinance, be regul ated in 
accordance with the Standing Orders.  
4. Modification of Standing Orders.– The Standing Orders may be modified by 
means of a collective agreement and not otherwise:– 
 Provided that no such a greement shall have the effect of taking away or 
diminishing any right or benefit available to the workmen under the provisions of the 
Schedule.  
5. Posting of Standing Order .– The text of the Standing Orders shall be 
prominently posted and kept in a legib le condition by the employer in English and 
Urdu, and in t he language understood by the majority of his workmen on special 
boards to be maintained for the purpose at or near the entrance through which the 
majority of the workmen enter the industrial or com mercial establishment and in all 
departments thereof where the workmen are employed. 
6. Inspectors.– (1) The Inspectors of Mines appointed under section 4 of the 
Mines Act, 1923 (IV of 1923), the Inspectors appointed under section 10 of the 
Factories Act, 1934 (XXV of 1934), and such other persons, not being 
4
[conciliators 
appointed under the 
5
[Punjab Industrial Relations Act 2010 (XIX of 2010)] ] as 
Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, appoint, shall be the 
Inspectors for the purposes of this Ordinance within the local limits assigned to each. 
 (2) An Inspector may at all reasonable hours enter on any premises and 
make such examination of any register or document relating to the maintenance or 
enforcement of the Standing Orders and take on  the spot or otherwise such 
evidence of any person, and e xercise such other powers of inspection, as he may 
deem necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance. 
 
1Substituted by the Act ibid., s. 3(c). 
2Substituted by the Punjab Industrial and Co mmercial Employment (Standing Orders) (Amendment) Act 2012 (XXI of 2012), 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40163-40164, s. 2. 
3Substituted for the word “labour” by the West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Emp loyment (Standin g Orders)  
(Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 
3(d). 
4Substituted for the words, comma and figure “conciliation officers appointed under the West Pak istan Industrial  Disputes 
Ordinance, 1968” by the West Pakistan Industrial and  Commercial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act, 1973 
(XXIII of 1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 4. 
5Substituted by the Pu njab Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) (A mendment) Act 2012 (XXI of 2012), 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40163-40164, s. 2. 
(3) Every Inspector shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of 
the Pakistan Penal Code (XLV of 1860). 
7. Penalties and proc edure.– (1) An employer who modifies the Standing 
Orders as applicable to his industrial or commercial establishment, otherwise than in 
accordance with section 4, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to 
1
[twenty-five thousand] rupees and in the c ase of a continuing offence, with a further 
fine which may extend to 
2
[one thousand]  rupees for every day after the first day 
during which the offence continues. 
 (2) An employer who does any act in contravention of the Standing Orders 
as applicable to his  industrial or commercial establishment shall be punishable with 
fine which may extend to 
3
[ten thousand]  rupees, and in the case of a continuing 
offence, with a further fine which may extend to 
4
[one thousand] rupees for every day 
after the first day during which the offence continues. 
 (3) Whoever contravenes any of the provisions of this Ordinance, shall, if 
no other penalty is elsewhere provided by or under this Ordinance for such 
contravention, be punishable with fine which may extend to 
5
[ten thousand] rupees.  
 (4) Whoever, having been convicted of any offence punishable under sub -
section (1), (2) or (3), again commits such offence shall, on conviction, be liable to 
double the punishment prescribed for such offence under the aforesaid sub-sections.  
 (5) No prosecution for an offence punishable under this Ordinance shall be 
instituted except by, or with the previous permission in writing of the Inspector.  
 
6
[(6) No Court other than a Labour Court  established under the 
7
[Punjab 
Industrial Relations Act  2010 (XIX of 2010)], shall try any offence under this 
Ordinance]. 
 
8
[
9
[7A. * * * * * * * * *  ]] 
8. Power to exempt.– Government may subject to such conditions as it thinks fit 
to impose by notificati on in the official Gazette, exempt any industrial or co mmercial 
establishment or class of such establishments from all or any of the provisions of this 
Ordinance. 
 
1Substituted for the words “five thousand” by the Act ibid., s.5(i). 
2Substituted for the words “two hundred” by the Act ibid. 
3Substituted for the word s “one hundred ” by the Punjab Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) 
(Amendment) Act 2012 (XXI of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazett e (Extraordinary), dated Fe bruary 11, 2012, pp. 40163 -
40164, s. 5(ii). 
4Substituted for the word “twenty-five” by the Act ibid. 
5Substituted for the words “one hundred” by the Act ibid., s. 5(iii). 
6Substituted by the  Labour Laws (Amendment) Act,  1976 (XI of 1976), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), 
Part I, dated April 16, 1976, pp. 201-209, s. 2 read with Schedule, Serial No. 5. 
7Substituted by the Punjab Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) (Amendment) Act 2012 (XXI of  2012), 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40163-40164 s. 2. 
8Inserted by the Labour Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 1972 (IX of 1972), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), 
dated April 13, 1972, Article 2 read with First Schedule, Serial No. 5. 
9Omitted by the West Pakistan Ind ustrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 
1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 5. 
9. Protection to existing conditions of employment .– Nothing in this 
Ordinance shall affect any law, custom usage, award or agreement in force 
immediately before the promulgation of this Ordinance in so far as such law, custom, 
usage, award or agreement ensure conditions of employment more favourable to 
workmen than those provided in the Standing Orders. 
1
[10. * * * * * * * * *   ] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1Omitted by the Punjab  Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Ord ers) (Amendment) Act 2012 (XXI of 2012), 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40163-40164, s. 6. 
SCHEDULE 
STANDING ORDERS [SECTION 2(g)] 
1. Classification of workmen.– (a) Workmen shall be classified as–  
1. permanent,  
2. probationers,  
3. badlis,  
4. temporary,  
5. apprentices, 
1
[6. contract worker.]  
(b) A "permanent workman" is a workman who has been engaged on work 
of permanent nature likely to last more than nine months and has 
satisfactorily completed a probationary period of three months in the 
same or an other occupation in the industrial or commercial 
establishment, including breaks due to sickness, accid ent, leave, lock -
out, strike (not being an illegal lock -out or strike) or involuntar y closure 
of the establishment 
2
[and includes a badli who has been employed for 
a continues period of three months or f or one hundred and eighty three 
days during any period of twelve consecutive months];  
(c) A ‘ probationer” is a workman who is provisionally employed to fill a 
permanent vacancy in a post and has not completed three months 
service therein. If a permanent e mployee is employed as a probationer 
in a higher post  he may, at any time during the probationary period of 
three months, be reverted to his old permanent post.  
(d) A " badly” is a workman who is appointed in the post of a permanent 
workman or probationer, who is temporarily absent.  
(e) A "temporary workman” is a workman who has been engaged for work 
which is of an essentially temporary nature likely to be finished within a 
period not exceeding nine months.  
3
[(f) An "apprentice” is a person who is an appr entice within the meaning of 
the Apprenticeship Ordinance, 1962 (LVI of 1962)].  
4
[(g) “contract worker” means a workman who works on contract  basis for a 
specific period of remuneration to be calculated on piece rate basis.] 
2. Tickets.– (1) Every workman employed in an industrial establishment shall be 
given a permanent ticket unless he is a probationer, a badli, a temporary workman or 
an apprentice. 
 
1Added by the Finance Act 2006 (Federal Act No. III of 2006), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated 
July 1, 2006, pp. 183-567, s. 6(a). 
2Added by the West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 
1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 6(a)(i). 
3Substituted by the Act ibid., s. 6(a)(ii). 
4Added by the Finance Act 2006 (Federal Act No. III of 2006), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated 
July 1, 2006, pp. 183-567, s. 6(b). 
 (2) Every permanent workman shall be provided with a departmental 
ticket, showing his number, and shall on being required to do so, show it to any 
person authorised by the employer to inspect it.  
 (3) Every bIadli shall be provided with" a badli card, on which shall be 
entered the days on which he has worked in the establishment, and which shall be 
surrendered if he obtains permanent employment.  
 (4) Every t emporary workman shall be pro vided with a temporary ticket 
which he shall surrender on his discharge.  
 (5) Every apprentice shall be provided with an apprentice card which shall 
be surrendered if he obtains permanent employment. 
1
[2A. Terms and conditions  of service to be given in wr iting.– Every workman 
at the time of his appointment, transfer or promotion shall be provided with an order 
in writing, showing the terms and conditions of his service.] 
3. Publication of working time .– The periods and hours of  work for all classes 
of workmen in each shift shall be exhibited in Urdu and in the princip al language of 
workmen employed in the industrial or commercial establishment on notice boards 
maintained at or n ear the main entrance of the establishment and at t he time -
keeper's office, if any. 
4. Publication of holidays and pay days .– Notices specifying (a) the days 
observed by the industrial or commercial establishment as holidays and (b) pay days 
shall be posted on the said notice boards. 
5. Publication of wage rates.– Notices specifying the rates of wages payable to 
all classes of workmen and for all classes of work shall be displayed on the said 
notice boards. 
6. Shift working.– More than one shift may be work ed in a department or any 
section of a department o f the industrial or commercia l establishment at the 
discretion of the employer. 
 If more than one shift is worked, the workmen shall be liable to be transferred 
from one shift to another. No shift working shall be discontinued without one month's 
notice being given prior to such discontinuance, provided that no such notice shall be 
necessary if, as a result of the discontinuance of the shift, no permanent employee 
will be discharged. If as a result of discon tinuance of shift working, any permanent 
workmen are to be discharged they shal l be discharged having regard to the length 
of their service in the establishment, those with the shortest term of service being 
discharged first. If shift working is restricted, a week's notice thereof shall be given by 
posting a notice at the main entran ce of the establishment and the time -keeper's 
office, if any, and the workmen, discharged as a result of the discontinuance of the 
shift, shall, if they present themselves at th e time of the restarting of the shift, have 
preference in being re -employed, ha ving regard to the length of their previous 
service under the establishment, those with the longest term of service being re -
employed first. 
 
1Inserted by the West Pakistan Ind ustrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 
1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 6(b). 
7. Attendance and late coming .– All workmen shall be at work at the 
establishment at t he time fixed and notified un der Standing Order 3. Workmen 
attending late shall be liable to the deductions provided for in the Payment of Wages 
Act, 1936 (IV of 1936). 
8. Leave.– 
1
[(1) Holidays and leave w ith pay shall be allowed as here inafter 
specified:– 
(a) Annual holidays, festiv al holidays, casual leave and sick leave as 
provided for in Chapter IV A of the Fa ctories Act, 1934 (XXV of 1934) ; 
and  
(b) other holidays in accordance with the law, contract, c ustom and 
usage.] 
 (2) A workman who desires to ob tain leave of absence shall a pply to the 
employer, who shall issue orders on the application within a week of its submission 
or two days prior to the commencement of the leave applied for, whichever is earli er, 
provided that if the leave applied for is to commence on the date of the application or 
within three days thereof, the order shall be given on the same day. If the leave 
asked for is granted, a leave pass shall be issued to the workman. If the leave is  
refused or postponed, the fact of such postponem ent or refusal and the reason s 
therefore shall be recorded in writing in a register to be maintained for the purpose, 
and if the workman so desires, a copy of the entry in the register shall be supplied to 
him. If the workman after proceeding on leave desi res an extension thereof he s hall 
apply to the employer who shall send a written reply either granting or refusing 
extension of leave to the workman if his address is available, and if such reply is 
likely to reach him before the expiry of the leave originally granted to him. 
 
2
[(3) * * * * * * * * *    
 (4) * * * * * * * * *   ] 
3
[9. Casual Leave.– * * * * * * *   ]  
10. Payment of wages.– (1) Any wages, due to the workman but not paid on the 
usual pay day on account of their being unclaimed, shall be paid  by the employer on 
an unclai med wage pay day in each week, which shall be notified on the notice 
boards as aforesaid. 
 (2) All workmen shall be paid wages on a working day before the expiry of 
the 7th or 10 th day after the last day of the wage period, in respect of which the 
wages are payable if the total number of workmen employed in the establishment is 
1,000 or less or exceeds 1,000 respectively. 
4
[10A. Groups incentive scheme .– (1) In every industrial estab lishment which is a 
factory and in which fifty  or more workmen are employed  there shall be introduced 
 
1Substituted by the West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 
1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 6(c)(i). 
2Omitted by the West P akistan Industrial and Comm ercial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 
1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 6(c)(ii). 
3Omitted by the Act ibid., s. 6(d). 
4Inserted by the Labour Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 1972 (IX of 1972), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), 
dated April 13, 1972, Article 2 read with First Schedule, Serial No. 5. 
from such date as may be specified by the 
1
[* * *] Government, by notification in the 
official Gazette, a group incentive scheme to provide incentive for greater production 
to groups of workmen employed in the factory. The scheme shall provide the manner 
in which the performance of different groups of workmen, whether in the same 
section, shop, department or shift or in different sections, shops, departments or 
shifts, shall be evaluated. 
 (2) The ince ntive shall be in the form of  additional wages or additional 
leave with wages or in both such forms to the members of the group of workmen 
whose production exceeds that of the other groups or the average of all  the groups. 
The incentive shall be according to such scales as may be pres cribed and shall be 
related to the e xtent of the excess production achieved by the group with the best 
performance].  
2
[10B. Compulsory Group In surance.– (1) The employer shall have  all the 
permanent workmen employed by him ins ured against 
3
[natural death and disability 
and] death and injury arising out of contingen cies not covered by the Workman’s 
Compensation Act, 1923 or the  
4
[Provincial Employees ’ Social Security Ordinance ] 
1965 (Ordinance No. X of 1965). 
 (2) The employer s hall in all cases be responsi ble for the payment of the 
amount of premia and for all administrative arrangements whether carried out by 
himself or through an insurance company. 
 (3) The amount for which each wor kman shall be insured shall not be less 
than the amount of compensation sp ecified in Schedule IV to the Workmen's 
Compensation Act, 1923 (VIII of 1923)]. 
 
5
[(4) Where the employer fails to have a permanent workman employed by 
him insured in the manner laid down in clauses (1), (2) and (3) and such wo rkman 
suffers death or injury  arising out of contingencies mentioned in clause (1) , the 
employer shall pay, in the case of death, to the heirs of such workman, or in the case 
of injury, to the workman, such sum o f money as would have been payable by the 
insurance company had such workman been insured. 
 (5) All claims of a workman or his heirs for recovery of money under 
clause (4) shall be settled in the same manner as is provided for the determination 
and recovery of compensation under the workmen's Compensation Act, 1923 (VIII of 
1923).] 
 
1Omitted the word “Provincial” by the Punjab Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) (Amendment) Act 2012 
(XXI of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40163-40164, s.7(i). 
2Inserted by the Labour Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 1972 (IX of 1972), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), 
dated April 13, 1972, Article 2 read with First Schedule, Serial No. 5. 
3Inserted by the Labour Laws (Amendment) Act, 1976 (XI of 1976), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, 
dated April 16, 1976, pp. 201-209, s. 2 read with Schedule, Serial No. 5. 
4Substituted for the words “West Pa kistan Employees, Social Security Ordinance” by the Federal Adaptation of Laws Order, 
1975 (4 of 1975), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated August  1, 1975, pp. 43 5-467, Article 2(1) 
read with Schedule. 
5Added by the West Pak istan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) (Amendment) Act, 1974 (XLVIII of 
1974), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated September 10, pp. 365-366, s. 3(a). 
1
[10C. Payment of bonus.– (1) Every employer making profit in any year shall pay 
2
[for that year within three months of the closing of] that year to the workman who 
have been in h is employment in that year for a continuous  period of not less than 
ninety days a bonus in addition to the wages payable to such workmen. 
 (2) The amount of the bonus payable shall. 
(a) if the amount of the profit is not less than the aggregate of one month 's 
wages of the workmen employed, be not l ess than the amount of such 
aggregate, subject to the maximum of thirty percent of such profit; 
 
3
[Illustration 1.– If the profit is Rs. 1,20,000.00 and the aggregate of one 
month's wages of the workmen is Rs.30,000.00, the amount of bonus payable 
shall be not less than the aggregate of one month's wages, that is to say, Rs. 
30,000.00.  
 Illustration 2.– If the profit is Rs.30,000. 00 and the aggregate of one 
month's wages of the workmen is also Rs.30,000.00, the amount of the bonus 
payable shall be not less  than thirty percent of the p rofit, that is to say, Rs. 
9,000.00.] 
(b) if the amount of the profit is less than the aggregate referred to in 
paragraph (a), be not less than fifteen per cent of such profit. 
 (3) The bonus payable to a workman entitled thereto under clause (1) shall 
bear to his monthly wages the same proportion as the total bonus payable by the 
employer bears to the aggregate of the wages referred to in paragraph (a) of clause 
(2) and shall be paid eithe r in cash or in N. I. T. Units of equiv alent value at the 
option of such workman. 
 (4) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to affect the right of any 
workman to receive any bonus other than that payable under clause (1) to which he 
may be entitled in accordance with the terms of his employment or any usage or any 
settlement or an award of a Labour Court established under the 
4
[Punjab Industrial 
Relations Act, 2010 (XIX of 2010)]. 
Explanation.– For the purpose of this section:– 
(a) "N. I. T. Units" means the Units referred to i n the National Investment 
(Unit) Trust Ordinance, 1965 (VII of 1965).  
5
[(b) "Profit" means the “ net profit‟ as defined in Companies Ordinances, 
1984 (XLVII of 1984);] 
 
1Inserted by the Labour Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 1972 (IX of 1972), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), 
dated April 13, 1972, Article 2 read with First Schedule, Serial No. 5. 
2Substituted for the word “in” b y the West Pakis tan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) 
Act, 1973 (XXIII of 1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 6(e)(i). 
3Inserted by the West Pakistan Industrial an d Commercial Emp loyment (Standing Orders) (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 
1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 6(e)(ii). 
4Substituted for the words, comma, figures and brackets “Industrial Relation s Ordinance, 1969 (XXIII of 1969)” by the Punjab 
Industrial and Commercial Emp loyment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act 2012 (XXI of 2012), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40136-40164, s. 2. 
5Substituted by the Act ibid., s. 7(ii). 
(c) "Wages" does not, for the purpose of calculating the bonus payable to 
a person under clause (1), in clude the bonus referred to i n clause (vi) 
of section 2 of the payment of Wages Act, 1936 (IV of 1936).]] 
11. Stoppage of work .– (1) The employer may, at any time, in the event of fire, 
catastrophe, break-down of machinery or stoppage of power supply, epid emics, civil 
commotion or oth er cause beyond his control, stop any section or sect ions of the 
establishment, wholly or partially for any period or periods without notice. 
 (2) In the event of such stoppage during working hours, the workmen 
affected shall b e notified by notices put upon the notice board in the departments 
concerned or in the office of the employer, as soon as practicable, when work will be 
resumed and whether they are to remain or leave their place of work. The workmen 
shall not ordinarily b e required to remain for more  than two hours after the 
commencement of the stoppage . If the period of detention does not exceed one 
hour, the workmen so detained shall not be paid for the period of detention. If the 
period of detention exceeds one hour, th e workmen so detained shall b e entitled to 
receive wages for the whole of the time, during which they are detained as a result of 
the stoppage. In the case of piece -rate workers, the average daily earning for the 
previous month shall be taken to be the dai ly wage. Wherever practicable  
reasonable notice shall be given of resumption of normal work. 
 
1
[(3) In cases where workmen are laid -off on account of failure of plant, a 
temporary curtailment of production or any stoppage of work for reasons mentioned 
in clause (1), they shall be paid by the employer an amount equal to one -half of their 
daily wages during the first fourteen days of lay -off as compensation. When, 
however, the workmen have to be laid -off for an indefinite period beyond the above 
mentioned fou rteen days, their services ma y be terminated after giving them due 
notice or pay in lieu thereof].  
 (4) The employer may in the event of a strike affecting either wholly or 
partially any section or department of the establishment close down, either wholly  or 
partially, such section or department and any other section or department affected by 
such closing down. The fact of such closure shall be notified by notices put on the 
notice board in the section or department concerned and in the time -keeper's office, 
if any, as soon as practic able. The workmen concerned shall also be notified by a 
general notice, prior to resumption of work, as to when work will be resumed. 
2
[11A. Closure of establishment .– Notwithstanding anything contained in Standing 
Order 11, no employer shall 
3
[terminate the employment of more than fifty percent of 
the workmen or] close down the whole of the establishment without prior permission 
of the Labour Court in this behalf, except in the event of fire, catastrophe, stoppage 
of power supply, epidemics or civil commotion.  
Explanation.– 'Close down' in this Standing  Order includes lay -off of work men 
beyond fourteen days where such lay -off results in closure of an establishment but 
 
1Substituted by the West Pakistan Industrial and Commerc ial Employment (Standing Orders) (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 
1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 6(f). 
2Inserted by the Act ibid., s. 6(g). 
3Inserted by the Labour Laws (Amendment) Act, 1976 (XI of 1976), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, 
dated April 16, 1976, pp. 201-209, s. 2 read with Schedule, Serial No. 5. 
does not include lock-out declared, commenced or continued i n accordance with the 
provisions of the 
1
[Punjab Industrial Relations Act 2010 (XIX of 2010)].] 
2
[12. Termination of employment .– (1) For terminating employment of a 
permanent workman, for any reason other than misconduct, one month's notice shall 
be given either by the employer or th e workman. One month's wages calculated on 
the basis of average wages earned by the workman during the last three months 
shall be paid in lieu of notice. 
 (2) No temporary workman, whether monthly -rated, weekly -rated, daily  
rated or piece-rated, and no probationer or badli, shall be entitled to any notice if his  
services are terminated by the employer, nor shall any such workman be required to 
give any notice or pay  any wages in lieu thereof to the employer if he leaves 
employments of his own accord. 
 (3) The services of a workman shall not be terminated, nor shal l a 
workman be removed, retrenched, discharged or dismissed from service, except by 
an order in writing which shall explicitly state the reason for the action taken. In case 
a workman is aggrieved b y the termination of his services or removal, retrenchment , 
discharge or dismissal, he may 
3
[take action in accordance with the provisions of] 
4
[section 33] of the 
5
[Punjab Industrial Relations Act 2010 (XIX of 2010) ], and 
thereupon the provisions of said section shall apply as they apply to the redress of 
an individual grievance. 
 (4) Where the services of any workman are terminated, the wages earned 
by him and other dues, including payment for unavailed leave as defined in cla use 
(1) of Standing Order 8, shall be paid before the expiry of the second working day 
from the day on which his services are terminated.  
 (5) The services of permanent or temporary workman shall not be 
terminated on the ground of misconduct otherwise tha n in the manner prescribed in  
Standing Order 15.  
 (6) Where a workman resigns from servi ce or his services are terminated 
by the employer, for any reason other than misconduct, he shall, in addition to any 
other benefit to which he may be entitled under t his Ordinance or in accordance with 
the terms of his employment or any custom, usage or a ny settlement or an award of 
a Labour Court under the 
6
[Punjab Industrial Relations Act 2010 (XIX of 2010)] , be 
 
1Substituted for the words, c omma, figures and brackets “Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969  (XXIII of 1969)” by the Punjab 
Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act 2012 (XXI of 2012), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40136-40164, s. 2. 
2Substituted (the Standing Order 12) by the Labour Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 1972 (V of 1972), published in the Gazette 
of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated September 9, 1972, s. 2 read with Schedule, Serial No. 2. 
3Substituted for the words “b ring his grievance to the notice of his employer in the manner  laid down in” by the West Pakistan 
Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 1973), published in the Gazette of 
Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 6(h)(i). 
4Substituted for the word an d figure “section 25 -A” by the Punjab Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) 
(Amendment) Act 2012 (XXI of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp . 40163-
40164. s. 7(iii). 
5Substituted for the words, comma, figures and brackets “Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969  (XXIII of 1969)” by the Act ibid., 
s. 2. 
6Substituted for the words, comma, figures and brackets “Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969 (XXIII of 1969)” by the Punjab 
Industrial and Commer cial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act 2012 (XXI of 2012), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40136-40164, s. 2. 
paid gratuity equivalent to 
1
[
2
[thirty days]], wages, c alculated on the basis of the  
3
[wages admissible to him in the last month of service if h e is a fixed -rated workman 
or the highest pay drawn by him during the last 12 months if he is a piece -rated 
workman] , for every completed year of service or any part thereof in excess of six 
months:  
 Provided that, where the employer has established a Pro vident Fund to which 
the workman is a contributor and the contribution of the employer to which is not less 
than the contribution made by the workman, no such gratuit y shall be payable for the 
period during which such Provident Fund has been in existence 
4
[***] 
5
[:] 
 Provided further that if through collective bargaining the employer offers and 
contributes to an “approved pension fund” as defined in the Income Tax ordi nance, 
2001 (XLIX of 2001), a nd where the contribution of the employer is not less than 
15% of the limit prescribed in the aforesaid Ordinance, and to which the workman is 
also a contributor for the remaining 50 percent or less, no gratuity shall be payabl e 
for the period during which such contributions has been made”.] 
 (7) A workman shall be entitled to receive the amount standing to his credit 
in the Provident Fund, including the contributions of the employer to such Fund, even 
if he resigns or is dismissed from service.] 
6
[* * *] 
 
7
[(8) Where workman dies while in service of the employer, his d ependant 
shall be paid gratuity in accordance with the provisions of clause (6): 
 Provided that no payment of gratuity in such cases shall be made otherwise 
than b y a deposit with the Commissi oner, who shall proceed with the allocation of 
the deposit to the  dependant of the deceased in accordance with the provisions of 
section 8 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923 (VIII of 1923).  
 (9) If the employer fails to d eposit the amount of the grat uity under clause 
(8), the dependant of the deceased may make an a pplication to the Commissioner 
for the recovery of the amount thereof. 
Explanation.– "Commissioner" and "dependant" in this Standing Order shall have 
the same me anings as are respectively as signed to them in the Workmen's 
Compensation Act, 1923 (VIII of 1923.]  
 
1Substituted for the word “ fifteen” by  the West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employ ment (Standing Orders)  
(Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 
6(h)(ii). 
2Substituted for the words “twenty days” by the Labour Laws (Amendment) Act, 1994 (XI of 1994), published in the Gazette of 
Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated June 29, 1994, pp. 223-235, s. 2 read with Schedule, Serial No. 5. 
3Substituted for the words “average wages earned by him du ring the la st three months” by the West Pakistan Industrial an d 
Commercial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan 
(Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 6(h)(ii)(A). 
4Omitted the words “and this clause shall have effect as if reference therein to the last “three months” where a reference to the 
three months immediately preceding the establishment of the Provident Fund” by the Act ibid., s. 6(h)(ii)(B). 
5Substituted for full stop  by the Finance Act,  2007 ( IV of 2007 ) (w.e.f. 2.7.2007), publi shed in the Gazette of Pakistan 
(Extraordinary), Part I, dated July 2, 2007, pp. 431-1000, s. 6. 
6Certain words omitted by the Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders), Clauses (8) and (9) added ibid. 
7Added by the West Pakistan Industrial an d Commercial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII of 
1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 6(h)(iii). 
13. Procedure for retrenchment.– Where any workman is to be retrenched and 
he belongs to a particular category of workmen, the employer shall retrench the 
workman who is the last person employed in that category. 
14 Re-employment of retrenched workme n.– Where any number of workmen 
are retrenched and the employer proposes to take into his employ any person within 
a period of one year from the date of such retrenchment, he shall give an opportunity 
to the retrenched workmen belonging to the category concerned, by sending a notice 
by registered post to their last known addresses to offer themselves for re -
employment, and they shall have preference over other per sons each having priority 
according to the length of his service, under the employer 
1
[:] 
 
2
[Provided that, in the case of a seasonal factory within the meaning of section 
4 of the Factories Act, 1934 (XXV of 1934), a workman who was retrenched in one 
season and reports for duty withi n ten days of the resumption of work in the factory 
in the immedia tely following season  
3
[shall be given preference for employment] by 
the employer 
4
[:]] 
 
5
[Provided further that in the case of such a seasonal factory, the emp loyer 
may by sending notice b y registered post to the last known address of a workman 
who was re trenched in one season req uire him to report on a day specified in the 
notice, not being earlier than ten days before resumption of work in such factory, and 
if such workman so reports he s hall be given preference for employment and paid 
full wages from the day he reports.] 
6
[14A. Special provision for construction workers .– Where any workman is 
retrenched or discharged by a contractor or any employer engaged in the 
construction industry due  to completion, cessation or discontinuance of work, he 
shall be gi ven preference for employment in any other similar work undertaken by 
the contractor or employer within a period of one year from the date of such 
retrenchment or discharge:  
 Provided that  where a workman is re -employed within the one month of his 
retrenchment or discharge, he shall be deemed to have been in continuous service 
of the contractor or employer notwithstanding the interruption caused by his 
retrenchment or discharge but no wages  shall be paid to him for the period of 
interruption.] 
15. Punishments.– (1) A workman may be reprimanded or fined in the manner 
prescribed under the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 (IV of 1936), up to three paisa in 
 
1Substituted for the ful l stop by the Labour Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 19 72 (IX of 1972), published in the Gazette of 
Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated April 13, 1972, s. 2 read with First Schedule, Serial No. 5. 
2Added by the Labour Laws (Amendment) Or dinance, 1972 (IX of 1972), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinar y), 
dated April 13, 1972, s. 2 read with First Schedule, Serial No. 5. 
3Substituted for the words “shall be re -employed” by the Labour Laws (Amendment)  Act, 1972 ( V of 1972), pub lished in the 
Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated September 9, 1972, s. 2 read with Schedule, Serial No. 2. 
4Substituted for the full stop by the West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) (Amendment) Act, 
1974 (XLVIII of 1974), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated September 10, pp. 365-366, s. 3(b). 
5Added by the Act ibid. 
6Inserted by the West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XXIII  of 
1973), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 6(i). 
the rupee of th e wages payable to him in a m onth, for any of the following acts or 
omissions, namely:– 
(i) in c ases where the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 (IV of 1936), is 
applicable, the list of acts and omissions for which fine may be levied 
shall be same as approved by the Chief Inspector of Factor ies or any 
other officer concerned.  
(ii) in other cases, the following shall be the list of acts and omissions:–  
(a) disregard or disobedience of rules or orders;  
(b) improper behaviour, such as drunkenness; 
(c) making false or misleading statements;  
(d) inefficient, dilatory, careless or wasteful working;  
(e) malingering.  
 (2) A workman found guilty of misconduct shall be liable to any of the 
following punishments:– 
(i) fine in the manner prescribed under the Payment of W ages Act, 1936 
(IV of 1936), upto three paisa in the rupee of the wages payable to him 
in a month;  
(ii) withholding of increment or promotion for a specified period not 
exceeding one year;  
(iii) reduction to a lower post; or  
(iv) dismissal without payment of any compensation in lieu of notice.  
 (3) The following acts and omissions shall be treated as misconduct:–  
(a) wilful in subordination or disobedience, whether alone or in 
combination with others, to any lawful and reasonable order of a 
superior;  
(b) theft, fraud, or dishones ty in connection with the employer's business 
or property;  
(c) wilful damage to or loss of employer's goods or property;  
(d) taking or giving bribes or any illegal gratification;  
(e) habitual absence without leave or absence  without leave for more than 
ten days;  
(f) habitual late attendance;  
(g) habitual breach of any law applicable to the establishment; 
(h) riotous or disorderly behaviour during working hours at the 
establishment or any act subversive of discipline;  
(i) habitual negligence or neglect of work;  
(j) frequent repetition of any act or omission referred to in clause (1);  
(k) striking work or inciting others to strike in contravention of the 
provisions of any law, or rule having the force of law;  
(l) go-slow.  
 (4) No order of dismissal s hall be made unless the workman concerned is 
informed in writing of t he alleged misconduct  
1
[within one month of the date of such 
misconduct or of the date on which the alleged misconduct comes to the notice of 
the employer ] and is given an opportunity to explain the circumstances alleged 
against him. The approval of the e mployer shall be required in every case of 
dismissal and 
2
[the employer shall] institute independent inquiries before dealing with 
charges against a workman 
3
[:] 
 
4
[Provided that the workm an proceeded against may, if he so desires for his 
assistance in the enquiry, nominate any workma n employed in that establishment 
and the employer shall allow the workman so nominated to be present in the enquiry 
to assist the workman proceeded against and  shall not deduct his wages if the 
enquiry is held during his duty hours.] 
 (5) Where, for the purpose s of conducting an i nquiry into the alleged 
misconduct of a workman, the employer considers it necessary, he may suspend the 
workman concerned for a perio d not exceeding four days at a time  
5
[so, however, 
that the total peri od of such suspension shall not exceed four weeks except where 
the matter is pending before an Arbitrator, a Labour Court, Tribunal or Conciliator for 
the gr ant of permission u nder secti on 
6
[57] of the 
7
[Punjab Industrial Relations Act 
2010 (XIX of 2010)]]. The order of suspension shall be in writing and may take effect 
immediately on delivery to the workman. During the period of suspension, the 
workman concerned shall be paid by the empl oyer 
8
[***] to the same wages as he 
would have received if he had not been suspended.  
16. Eviction from residential accommodation .– (1) Notwithstanding the 
provisions of any law for the time being in force, including those of the West Pakistan 
Urban Rent Restriction Ordinance, 1959 ( W.P. Ordinance No. VI of 1959), a 
workman occupying residential accommodation provided by his employer, who has 
resigned or retired, or has been retrenched, discharged or dismissed, or whose 
services have been terminated, shall  vacate such accommodation within a period of 
two months from the date  of his retrenchment, discharge, dismissal or termination of 
services, as the case may be; provided that in case of reinstatement of the workman, 
the employer shall be bound to provide h im with similar -residential accommodation 
 
1Inserted by the Labour Laws (Amendment) Act, 1976 (XI of 1976), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, 
dated April 16, 1976, pp. 201-209, s. 2 read with Schedule, Serial No. 5. 
2Substituted for the commas  and words “, when the circumstances appear to warrant it, the employer may" by the West 
Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders)  (Amendment) Act, 1973 (XX III of 1973), pu blished in the 
Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated February 9, 1973, s. 6(j)(i). 
3Substituted for full stop by the Act ibid., s. 6(j)(ii). 
4Added by the Act ibid. 
5Inserted by the Labour Laws (Amendment) Act, 1976 (XI of 1976), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, 
dated April 16, 1976, pp. 201-209, s. 2 read with Schedule, Serial No. 5. 
6Substituted for the figure “47” by the Punjab Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) (Amendment) Act 2012 
(XXI of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40163-40164, s. 7(iv). 
7Substituted by the Act ibid., s. 2. 
8Omitted the words, full stop and comma “subsistence allowance of not less than fifty per centum of the wages. If the workman 
is found not guilty, he shall be deemed to have b een on duty during the period of suspension and shall be entitled”  by the 
Finance Act, 2008 (I of 200 8) (w.e.f. 1.7.2008), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), P art I, dated Jun e 27, 
2008, pp. 43-427, s. 4(2). 
from the date of such reinst atement or pay him per mensem, an allowance in lieu 
thereof at the rate of three times the wages of the last full working day. 
 (2) If a workman, who has bee n retrenched, discharged or d ismissed, or 
whose services have been terminated, fails to vacate any residential premises 
provided by the employer, within the period specified in clause (1), the employer may 
lodge a complaint with a Magistrate of the first c lass having jurisdiction in t he area 
where such residential accommodation is located.  
 (3) The Magistrate on hearing the parties, may, notwithstanding anything 
contained in any other law for the time being in force, summarily decide the case and 
may pass an order of eviction, giving the workman a reasonable time to vacate the 
premises. 
 (4) Where a Magistrate passes an order for the eviction of a workman, he 
may also pass an order directing a police officer to evict such workman and any 
other person occupy ing through such workman the residential accommodation in 
respect of which the order of eviction is  made if the workman or such other person 
fails to vacate the accommodation within the time allowed under clause (3). 
 (5) A police officer acting under an o rder of the Magistrate under clause 
(4), shall notify the occupants of the premises in question, th e contents of the 
Magistrate's order and his intention to enter on such premises, and  shall allow at 
least two hours’ time  to the occupants to vacate the pre mises and shall give all 
reasonable facilities to the children and female occupants, if any, to wit hdraw 
therefrom before applying any force for taking over possession of such premises. 
 (6) Where a workman occupying residential accommodation provided to 
him by the employer dies, the procedure prescribed in this Standing Order shall 
mutatis mutandis and so far as applicable , apply, for evicting any person, who was 
occupying the premises through such workman, and after his death continues to 
remain in occupation thereof. 
1
[17. Provident Fund.– * * * * * * *   ] 
2
[18. Grievance Procedure.–  * * * * * *   ] 
19. Certificate of termination of service .– Every permanent workman shall be 
entitled to a service certificate at the time of his dismissal, discharge, retr enchment 
or retirement from service. 
20. Liability of employer .– The employer of the industrial and  commercial 
establishment shall personally be held responsible for the proper and faithful 
observance of the Standing Orders, whether or not the workman of s uch 
establishment are employed through contractors. 
 
 
 
 
1Omitted by the Labour Laws ( Amendment) Act, 1972 (V of 1972), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, 
dated September 9, 1972, s. 2 read with Schedule, Serial No. 2. 
2Omitted by the Labour Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 1972 (IX of 1972), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), 
dated April 13, 1972, s. 2 read with First Schedule, Serial No. 5.