Through the labyrinth of labour laws
A PEEP INTO LABOUR LAWS: V. S. Ekambaram, V. S. Balasubramaniyan; Pub. by Tamil Nadu Bank Employees Federation, Singapore Plaza, III Floor, 164, Linghi Chetty Street, Chennai-600001.
THIS IS a handy and compact book and a single source of reference on labour laws. The most important among the Acts covered are the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 and the Trade Union Act. Although the authors have not reproduced the Acts in their work their comments on the various sections of each Act is lucid and cogent.
It will be of great help to workmen and trade union leaders and also budding lawyers to understand the nuances of the law. Inclusion of the Act would have made the publication more comprehensive.
The presentation gives an impression that the labour laws are meant only to protect the workmen ignoring the interest of the consumer, the common man and the employer. It is not so. There are many cases where the court decisions have gone against the plea of workers. All the Acts are there to protect diverse interests.
Changed situation
The Industrial Disputes Act by itself is vaguely worded and loosely structured. The labour situation and the attitude of industry and management to workmen in 1947 were very much different from that prevailing in 1974, which have again changed considerably in 2004. Today the buzzwords are contract labour, outsourcing, downsizing, market economy and increasing private sector employment.
While the Act remains static, the situation is highly dynamic. The provisions of the Act have to be interpreted in the current context. The authors have done a good job in this regard. However, a more elaborate treatment of the Industrial Disputes Act would have been useful.
The case laws cited are useful source of information. A few instances where the trade union or the worker lost the case had been presented it would be helpful as a learning point for union leaders and workmen. On the whole the book is a very useful addition to the subject of labour laws.
S. ARUNAJATESAN
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