Labour Organisation: Case Laws

By virtue of Part XIII of the Versailles Peace Treaty, which put an end to World War I, the International Labour Organisation was established in 1919. It sprang from the labour and social movements of the nineteenth century, which resulted in widespread calls for social justice and greater living standards for all working people worldwide.

What are Labour Organizations?

The meaning of LABOUR ORGANIZATION is an organization, agency, committee, group, or plan in which employees take part that deals with employers about such matters such as working environment, safety, wages and grievances.

India and International Labour Organization

India is the founder member of the INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION, which came into existence in 1919. At present ILO has 187 members. A unique feature of the ILO is its tripartite character. The membership of the ILO ensures the growth of tripartite system in the member countries. At every level in the organization, Governments are associated with the two other social partners, namely the workers and the employers. All the three groups are represented on almost all the deliberative organs of the ILO and share responsibility in conducting its work.

Organs of International Labour Organization

Following are the three organs of international labour organization −

• International Labour Conferences − General assembly of the ILO- Meets every year in the month of June.

• Governing Body − Executive council of the ILO- Meets three times in a year in the months of March, June, and November.

• International Labour Office − A permanent secretariat.

The work of the Conference and Governing body is supplemented by Regional Conferences, Regional Advisory Committees, Industrial and Analogous Committees, Committees of Experts, Panels of Consultants, special conferences, and meetings etc.

Important case laws under various Labour Organization

Following are the important case laws under various labour organization −

Indian Labour Organisation Vs Air India International and others

Decided on December 2, 1986

Facts: The petitioner Union filed a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, challenging the legality of the decision taken by respondent No. 3 and communicated to the petitioner by letter dated February 26, 1986. The Regional Labour commissioner (Central) informed the petitioner union that the appropriate Government in the case of the workmen engaged by the contractor working for Air India is the State Government and therefore it is not possible for respondent No. 3 to hold any conciliation proceedings. The petitioner is a trade union registered under the Trade Unions Act and represent about 45 employees engaged in four canteens run by Air India.

• Decision − The court held that the decision taken by respondent No. 3 and communicated to the petitioner by letter dated February 26, 1986, is set aside. Respondent No. 3 is directed to admit the dispute raised by the petitioner in conciliation and proceed to pass appropriate orders as expeditiously as possible.

Sundaram Finance Ltd. V. Kamaraj National Labour Organisation.

• Facts − W.P No. 79 of 2003 and other connected writ petitions were filed by different Trade Unions on the identical subject.

• Petitioner-Union challenged the order passed by BIFR in BIFR Case No. 103 of 1998 and the consequential sale notice thereto.

• Trade Unions represented a few of the thousand workers in the sick mill.

• The learned single Judge confirmed the stay orders granted on 2-1-2003 and 10-1-2003.

• The mill is in a running condition.

• There were defaults in the payment of the instalments.

• The learned single judge directed that a warrant of Advocate Commissioner should be issued under the seal of this court for taking possession of the hired machinery.

Decision

The appeal must succeed. The order of the learned single judge is set aside and the stay petition, W.P.M.P No. 93 of 2003, is dismissed. The vacate-stay petition, W.V.M.P No. 40 of 2003 in W.P No. 79 of 2003, is allowed.

Self Employed Labour Organisation and Others Vs State of Gujarat and Others

S.R. Brahmbhatt, J. − Learned advocate for the respondent corporation has invited the court’s attention to the affidavit at Pag e-425 and submitted that as many as out of 1008 vendors, around 844 vendors have been accommodated. We are of the prima-facie view that the PIL could be put to an end as liberty could be reserved to the parties to work out fine nuances therein.

2. This matter is of the year 2014 and shall not be continued on the board without any reason. At that stage, request is made for a day’s accommodation. The same is granted.

Conclusion

The labour organisation aims to improve the working conditions of workers. The ILO aims to ensure that it serves the needs of working women and men by bringing together governments, employers, and workers to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes. The above-mentioned case laws have very well defined the importance of labour organisation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Labour Organisation helpful to society?

Today, the ILO helps to advance the creation of decent work and the economic and working conditions that give working people and businesspeople a stake in lasting peace, prosperity, and progress. Unlike other United Nations specialized agencies, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has a tripartite governing structure that brings together governments, employers, and workers of 187 member states, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.

Who benefits from the organization of labor?

Labor unions improve wages and working conditions for all workers, whether they are union members or not. Unions help to reduce wage gaps for women workers and workers of colors.

What is the function of Indian Labour Organisation?

To promote research related to the institutionalization of training that meet the requirements of efficiency, competitiveness, productivity, quality, social equity and respect for international labour standards.

When was labour organisation formed?

India is a founder member of the International Labour Organization, which came into existence in 1919. At present the international labour organisation has 187 members. A unique feature of the international labour organisation is its tripartite character.

Who founded the first labour organisation in India?

The credit for the first association of Indian workers is generally given to the Bombay Mill-Hands Association founded by N.M. LOKHANDE in 1890. This was in the period just after the passing of the ‘first’ Factories Act in 1881 by the British Government of the time.