Industrial Dispute Act 1947, was introduced in the Indian Constitution to settle Industrial Disputes between workmen and workmen and employers and workmen. The Act in one way also maintains the stable relationship between the employers and the workmen within any industrial boundary. Several other acts, before this, were introduced but were unable to fulfill the desire of the Industrial people.
Historical Background (Industrial Dispute Act 1947)
Before April 1947, several acts were introduced to hold the dispute and relation under the balance of majesty but nothing worked well. When we go deeper into the industrial aspect we found that the Constitution of India has many provisions regarding the workmen in the society but some specific provisions were missing during the days.
World War I (1914 – 1919) realised us the importance of workmen and their relation to the industry. This was the awakening era in the development of the Act. Before the year 1914, we only had the Employers and Workmen Dispute Act 1860. The act was much more opposed to the workers and this was the reason it was getting replaced by the Industrial Dispute Act of 1929. The act worked to maintain a peaceful atmosphere for the workers and employers and help in resolving the Industrial Disputes.
The act covers the whole of the then India and had applicability only for 5 years, then in 1932 after making some amendments, it was enacted in 1934 and was made permanent after the approval of the central government. The act was having the provisions for the settlement of the industrial disputes by appointing the Court of Inquiry and the board of conciliation. Still, illegal strikes were banned under the act.
Section 81 –A was necessary to put in the act to settle the Industrial Disputes and to balance the cordial Relation between the Employers and Workmen. Further, the right to Lock Out and the Right to Strike were the important points that forced the constitution body to make the act flexible.
In accordance with the need need of the workmen and industry, Rule 81-A was included in the act, Industrial Disputes Act 1947 which started its work on 1st April 1947.
