Labour Court and Industrial Tribunals functioning in a single courtroom: Allahabad High Court asks State to suggest remedial steps

Taking serious note of almost non-existent infrastructure available to a Labour Court and Industrial Tribunals at Gorakhpur, the Allahabad High Court yesterday directed the State's Labour Ministry to submit a report on possible remedial steps. .The Principal Secertary to the Uttar Pradesh Labour Ministry has been directed to indicate the steps needed to restore the labour court and industrial tribunals to a state of normal functioning throughout the week..The order was passed after Justice JJ Munir took on record a report submitted by the Presiding Officer or the Gorakhpur Labour Court, who had been directed to explain the 12-year pendency of a labour case. .The report served to appraise the High Court of the disturbing state of infrastructure that the labour court and industrial courts at Gorakhpur were faced with. .As detailed in the order:."The condition of the Labour Court, U.P., Gorakhpur shows that the Labour Court and the Industrial Tribunals together are functioning in a private house. They have a single courtroom and a single chamber to serve the Presiding Officers, Labour Court and the Industrial Tribunal, both. The result is that the Labour Court and the Industrial Tribunal sit in the same courtroom and the Presiding Officers make it convenient in the same chamber on different days of the week. This is the state of affairs for the dispensation of justice to workmen, who approach these fora under the Industrial Disputes Act/U.P. Industrial Disputes Act.".They have a single courtroom and a single chamber to serve the Presiding Officers, Labour Court and the Industrial Tribunal, both.Allahabad High Court.The High Court went on to opine that the labour courts were special forums upon which the State and the Society both pin great hopes.."The Labour Courts and the Tribunals are organized to dispense cheap and effective justice to a class of citizens, who do not have all the resources commanded by the better endowed in society. These also have a larger purpose to serve. These Courts and Tribunals have an indispensable role in maintaining industrial peace", the Court observed. .In view of such considerations, the Joint Registrar (Compliance) has been asked to communicate the order to the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Uttar Pradesh within 24 hours. .The State is expected to file its report within a week's time. .The matter will next be heard on December 17. .[Read order]