The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Court for amending definition of worker

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Saturday, Jun 14, 2008
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Court for amending definition of worker

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has stressed the need for amending the definition of a worker under the Plantation Labour Act.

Justice S. Siri Jagan, while acting on a petition filed by the Kerala State Estate Workers’ Union, also directed the Union and State governments to state the steps they intended to take for amending the definition. The Act defined a worker as one who was employed on monthly wages of over Rs.750. The petitioner said that labourers were employed on daily wages in plantation sector.

The court observed that since the definition had long outlived its utility, prima facie the definition appeared to have rendered itself unconstitutional in the present day circumstances. The court said that it was surprising that the successive governments which professed to be champions of working class had not found it necessary to bestow their attention on the employees of the plantation industry.

The court said that if the government did not take steps to amend the definition in tune with the times, the court might have to declare it unconstitutional. However, the court gave the governments opportunity to take appropriate action.

Single-window

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice H.L. Dattu and Justice A.K. Basheer adjourned by two months the hearing on the appeals and writ petitions challenging the introduction of single-window system for admission to merit seats in higher secondary schools.

The case was adjourned at the request of counsel for various schools managements who challenged the new system of admission. However, two writ petitions filed by students against the system will come up for hearing on Tuesday.

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