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Suites données aux recommandations du comité et du Conseil d’administration - Rapport No. 371, Mars 2014

Cas no 2228 (Inde) - Date de la plainte: 30-OCT. -02 - Clos

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  1. 64. The Committee last examined this case, which concerns alleged anti-union discrimination including dismissals, the suppression of a strike by the police and refusal to negotiate at the Worldwide Diamond Manufacturers Ltd (situated in the export processing zone (EPZ) of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh) and alleged dismissals and suspensions at the Synergies Dooray Automotive Ltd, at its November 2012 meeting [see 365th Report, paras 69–78]. On that occasion, the Committee:
    • (a) Noted the reference to 27 cases of the alleged cases of anti-union discrimination, which, according to the Government, the industrial tribunal-cum-labour court Visakhapatnam has dismissed, and requested the Government to provide copies thereof. Recalling that there were about 38 cases in total, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the resolution of the remaining cases.
    • (b) As regards the question of restrictions on the right to collective bargaining of workers in the VEPZ and on the right of the Visakhapatnam Export Processing Workers’ Union to take part in negotiations with the management of the Worldwide Diamonds Manufacturers Ltd, once again requested that the Government provide a copy of the minutes of the joint meeting held on 3 September 2004 that led to the lifting of the employer’s lockout. The Committee also requested the Government to provide information on the evolution of collective bargaining and to send any agreement reached by the parties.
    • (c) Repeated its request that the Government take all necessary measures, including amending the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947, so as to ensure that suspended workers as well as trade unions could approach the court directly, without being referred by the state government.
    • (d) Noted the Government’s indication that the workers dismissed from the Synergies Dooray Automotive Ltd have approached the industrial tribunal-cum-labour court and requested the Government to provide a copy of the judgment once it has been handed down. It also requested the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) – the complainant in this case – to keep it informed in this respect.
  2. 65. By its communications dated 19 February and 16 May 2013, the Government forwards copies of 39 decisions of the industrial tribunal-cum-labour court Visakhapatnam, which dismissed the respective complainants’ petitions for reinstatement at the Worldwide Diamonds Manufacturers Ltd.
  3. 66. With regard to recommendation (b), the Government indicates that according to the information provided by the Development Commissioner, Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone, the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2004 that led to the lifting of the employer’s lockout are not available in the office records. Various other state authorities have been already addressed with a request to submit the same.
  4. 67. The Government further reiterates the information it had previously provided on the amendment to section 2A of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, pursuant to which, a worker can directly make an application to the labour court or tribunal for adjudication of the dispute where it involves discharge, dismissal, retrenchment or termination of service after the expiry of three months from the date he or she has made an application to the conciliation officer of the appropriate government for conciliation of the dispute, and the labour court or tribunal shall have the power and jurisdiction to adjudicate upon such dispute, as if it were a dispute referred to it by the appropriate government and all the provisions of the Act shall be applicable.
  5. 68. The Committee notes the decisions of the industrial tribunal-cum-labour court, Visakhapatnam in 39 cases dismissing petitioners’ requests for reinstatement, which do not appear to be in violation of freedom of association principles.
  6. 69. The Committee deeply regrets that the Government is not in a position to provide a copy of the minutes of a joint meeting held on 3 September 2004 that led to the lifting of the lockout at the Worldwide Diamonds Manufacturers Ltd. It further regrets that the Government provides no information as to whether workers of this enterprise can engage in collective bargaining with the management. It therefore once again requests the Government to provide information thereon, together with a copy of a collective bargaining agreement, should such exist.
  7. 70. The Committee further regrets that the Government has provided no new information regarding its request to amend the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947 so as to ensure that suspended workers as well as trade unions could approach the court directly, without being referred by the state government. The Committee recalls that acts of anti-union discrimination may vary in nature and that they are not confined to discharge, dismissal, retrenchment or termination of service, but that they also include all actions taken in retaliation against a worker exercising trade union activities, such as suspension. A worker victim of this kind of act should have access to direct means of redress which are expeditious, inexpensive and fully impartial. Therefore, the Committee reiterates its request to amend the legislation so as to ensure that suspended workers as well as trade unions may approach the court directly on all issues of alleged anti-union discrimination. The Committee invites the Government to consider having recourse to the technical assistance of the ILO and requests it to keep the Committee informed of developments as regards this matter.
  8. 71. The Committee notes that no new information has been provided by the Government or by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on the decision by the industrial tribunal-cum-labour court concerning workers dismissed from the Synergies Dooray Automotive Ltd. It once again requests the Government to provide a copy of the judgment once it has been handed down and reiterates its request to the CITU to keep it informed in this respect.
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