List of Significant Amendments made to the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

Here is a list of significant amendments made to the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 over the years. These amendments were introduced to address changes in labor conditions, industrial relations, and economic developments:

Key Amendments to the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

1. Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act, 1953:

   • Inserted new provisions for layoffs, retrenchment, and closures.
   • Defined the conditions for compensation related to layoffs and retrenchment.

2. Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act, 1964:

   • Introduced "unfair labor practices" and included provisions to prevent such practices.
   • Included the powers of the government to refer disputes to tribunals and labor courts.

3. Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act, 1971:

   • Added more provisions for conciliation and settlement of disputes.
   • Increased the power of labor courts to ensure better adjudication of industrial disputes.

4. Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act, 1976:

   • Introduced provisions related to the establishment of grievance settlement authorities.
   • Set up the concept of "appropriate government" for the application of the Act.

5. Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act, 1982:

   • Introduced Chapter V-B dealing with special provisions for the closure, layoff, and retrenchment of industrial establishments with 100 or more workers.
   • Defined "industrial establishment" and "continuous service."
   • Introduced stricter regulations for layoffs and retrenchments.

6. Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act, 1984:

   • Established a mandatory requirement for compensation during layoffs and retrenchments for establishments with 100 or more employees.
   • Further clarified the powers of conciliation officers.

7. Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act, 1996:

   • Increased the compensation for retrenchment and other benefits for workers.
   • Improved procedures for dispute resolution, aiming to expedite industrial disputes.

8. Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act, 2010:

   • Raised the wage ceiling for retrenchment benefits.
   • Enhanced the compensation for workers during layoffs and retrenchments.
   • Included a provision for voluntary arbitration between employers and employees.

9. Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act, 2016:

   • Simplified the process for filing and addressing industrial disputes.
   • Strengthened the penalties for engaging in unfair labor practices.
   • Modified the definition of “worker” to include certain contract workers and other specific categories of employees.

Other Major Changes:

1. Wage Code and Labor Law Reforms (2020):
   • The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, along with other labor laws, is being subsumed under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, which is part of the new labor codes aimed at consolidating and simplifying labor laws.
   • The Industrial Relations Code introduces changes like a higher threshold for layoffs, retrenchments, and the establishment of "strike" definitions.

Industrial Relations Code, 2020

The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 is the most recent and comprehensive reform that merges several labor laws, including the Industrial Disputes Act. It introduces significant changes:

• Increased threshold for prior government approval for layoffs, retrenchments, and closures.
• Redefined definitions of strikes and lockouts.
• Simplified processes for grievance redressal and industrial dispute resolution.

These amendments and reforms reflect India's evolving approach to managing industrial relations, balancing workers' rights with industrial growth.