Labour Code Advisor

Section 2. Definitions.

In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,—

15[(i) “appropriate Government” means, in relation to railways, air transport services, mines and oilfields, the Central Government and, in relation to all other cases, the State Government;]

1[ 2[(ia)] “employed person” includes the legal representative of a deceased employed person;

2[(ib)]“employer” includes the legal representative of a deceased employer;

2[(ic)] “factory” means a factory as defined in clause (m) of section 2 of the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948), and includes any place to which the provisions of that Act have been applied under sub-section (1) of section 85 thereof;]

(ii) 3[“industrial or other establishment” means] any—

4[(a) tramway service, or motor transport service engaged in carrying passenger or goods or both by road for hire or reward;

(aa) air transport service other than such service belonging to, or exclusively employed in the military, naval or air forces of the Union or the Civil Aviation Department of the Government of India;]

(b) dock, wharf or jetty;

5[(c) inland vessel, mechanically propelled;]

(d) mine, quarry or oilfield;

(e) plantation;

(f) workshop or other establishment in which articles are produced, adapted or manufactured, with a view to their use, transport or sale;

6 [(g) establishment in which any work relating to the construction, development or maintenance of buildings, roads, bridges or canals, or relating to operation connected with navigation, irrigation, development or maintenance of buildings, roads, bridges or mission and distribution of electricity or any other form of power is being carried on;]

7[(h) any other establishment or class of establishment which 8[appropriate Government] may, may, having regard to the nature thereof, the need for protection of persons employed therein and other relevant circumstances, specify, by notification in the Official Gazette;]

9[(iia) “mine” has the meaning assigned to it in clause (j) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952);]

10[(iii) “plantation” has the meaning assigned to it in clause (f) of section 2 of the Plantations Labour Act, 1951 (69 of 1951);]

(iv) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

11[(v) “railway administration” has the meaning assigned to it in clause (32) of section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989(24 of 1989);]

1[(vi) “wages” means all remuneration (whether by way of salary, allowances, or otherwise) expressed in terms of money or capable of being so expressed which would, if the terms of employment, express or implied, were fulfilled, be payable to a person employed in respect of his employment or of work done in such employment, and includes—

(a) any remuneration payable under any award or settlement between the parties or order of a Court;

(b) any remuneration to which the person employed is entitled in respect of overtime work or holidays or any leave period;

(c) any additional remuneration payable under the terms of employment (whether called a bonus or by any other name);

(d) any sum which by reason of the termination of employment of the person employed is payable under any law, contract or instrument which provides for the payment of such sum, whether with or without deductions, but does not provide for the time within which the payment is to be made;

(e) any sum to which the person employed is entitled under any scheme framed under any law for the time being in force,

but does not include—

(1) any bonus (whether under a scheme of profit sharing or otherwise) which does not form part of the remuneration payable under the terms of employment or which is not payable under any award or settlement between the parties or order of a Court;

(2) the value of any house-accommodation, or of the supply of light, water, medical attendance or other amenity or of any service excluded from the computation of wages by a general or special order of 2[appropriate Government];

(3) any contribution paid by the employer to any pension or provident fund, and the interest which may have accrued thereon;

(4) any travelling allowance or the value of any travelling concession;

(5) any sum paid to the employed person to defray special expenses entailed on him by the nature of his employment; or

(6) any gratuity payable on the termination of employment in cases other than those specified in sub-clause (d).]

View Act Footnotes

Note: In the legacy archives, footnotes are grouped by original PDF page numbers rather than by section.

Page 3

  • 1. The Act has been extended to Goa, Daman and Diu by Reg. 12 of 1962, s. 3 and the Schedule to Dadra and Nagar Haveli byReg. 6 of 1963, s. 2 and the First Schedule to Pondicherry by Reg. 7 of 1963, s. 3 and the First Schedule and to Lakshadweepby Reg. 8 of 1965, s. 3 and the Schedule.
  • 2. Subs. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 2 for “persons employed in industry” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 3. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for sub-section (2).
  • 4. The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 51 of 1970, s. 2 and the Schedule (w.e.f. 1-9-1971).
  • 5. 28th March 1937, see Gazette of India, 1937, Pt. I, pg. 626.
  • 6. Subs. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 3, for “factory and to persons” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 7. Ins. by s. 3, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 8. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 3, for “the State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 9. Subs. by Act 68 of 1957, s. 2, for “the Act” (w.e.f. 1-4-1958.)10. Subs. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 3, for “any industrial establishment or in any class or group of industrial establishments”(w.e.f. 15-10-1982).11. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 3, for “the Central Government or a State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).12. Subs. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 3, for the proviso (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).13. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 2, for sub-section (6) (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).14. Subs. by S.O. 2806 (E), dated 28-8-2017, for “eighteen thousand rupees”, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, s. 3(ii).15. Ins. by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).

Page 4

  • 1. Subs. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 3, for clause (i) (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 2. Clauses (i), (ia) and (ib) renumbered as clauses (ia), (ib) and (ic) thereof by Act 41 of 2005, s. 4 (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 3. Subs. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 4, for „ “industrial establishment” means‟ (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 4. Subs. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 3, for sub-clause (a) (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 5. Subs. by Act 68 of 1957, s. 3, for item (c) (w.e.f. 1-4-1958.)
  • 6. Ins. by s. 3, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-1958.)
  • 7. Ins. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 4 (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 8. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 3, for “the Central Government or a State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 9. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).10. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for clause (iii) (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).11. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 4, for clause (v) (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).

Page 5

  • 1. Subs. by Act 68 of 1957, s. 3, for clause (vi) (w.e.f. 1-4-1958.)
  • 2. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 3, for “the State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 3. Subs. by s. 5, ibid.,for section 3 (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).

Page 6

  • 1. Subs. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 6, for “industrial establishment” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 2. Added by Act 53 of 1964, s. 5 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 3. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 3, for “the State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 4. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 5 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 5. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 3, for “the Central Government or a State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 6. Subs. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 5, for “All payments” (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).

Page 7

  • 1. Subs. by Act 1 of 2017, s. 2, for section 6 (w.e.f. 28-12-2016).
  • 2. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 6, for “sub-section (2) of section 47 of the Indian Railways Act, 1890 (9 of 1890)” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 3. Explanation renumbered as Explanation I thereof by Act 68 of 1957, s. 5 (w.e.f. 1-4-1958).
  • 4. Ins. by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-1958).
  • 5. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 3, for “the State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 6. Subs. by Act 68 of 1957, s. 5, for clause (d) (w.e.f. 1-4-1958).
  • 7. The words “Governor-General in Council or” omitted by the A.O. 1937.
  • 8. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 6 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 9. Subs. by Act 56 of 1974, s. 3 and the Second Schedule, for “this sub-clause” (w.e.f. 20-12-1974).

Page 8

  • 1. Subs. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 6, for clause (f) (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 2. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 3, for “the State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 3. Subs. by s. 6, ibid., for “in section 58A of the Indian Income-tax Act, 1922” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 4. The word “and” omitted by Ordinance 3 of 1940, s. 2.
  • 5. Ins. by Act 42 of 1971, s. 6 (w.e.f. 4-12-1971).
  • 6. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 6 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 7. Added by Ordinance 3 of 1940, s. 2
  • 8. Subs. by Act 68 of 1957, s. 5, for clause (k) (w.e.f. 1-4-1958).
  • 9. Ins. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 7 (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).

Page 9

  • 1. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 6 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 2. Ins. by Act 29 of 1976, s. 4 (w.e.f. 12-11-1975).
  • 3. Ins. by Act 19 of 1977, s. 2 (w.e.f. 30-6-1977).
  • 4. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 6 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 5. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 6, for “the Indian Railways Act, 1890” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).

Page 11

  • 1. Subs. byAct 41 of 2005, s. 3, for “the State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 2. Subs. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 8, for “half-an-anna in the rupee” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 3. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 7, for “sixty days” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 4. Subs. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 8, for “industrial establishment” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 5. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 3, for “the State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 6. Added by Act 22 of 1937, s. 2 (w.e.f. 14-4-1937).

Page 12

  • 1. Subs. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 7, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 2. The words “the Governor-General in Council or” omitted by the A.O. 1937.
  • 3. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 3, for “the State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 4. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 8 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 5. Ins. by s. 9, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 6. Ins. by Ordinance 3 of 1940, s. 3.

Page 13

  • 1. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 10 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 2. Subs. by Act 68 of 1957, s. 6, for “sub-section (1) of section 10 of the Factories Act, 1934” (w.e.f. 1-4-1958).
  • 3. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 3, for “the State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005)
  • 4. Subs. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 9, for “industrial establishments” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 5. Subs. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 11, for sub-section (4) (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 6. Subs. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 9, for “industrial establishment” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 7. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for “Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 8. Subs. by s. 9, ibid.,for “section 98” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).

Page 14

  • 1. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 12 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 2. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 8, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 3. Subs. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 13, for “six months” (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 4. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 8, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).

Page 15

  • 1. Subs. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 13, for sub-section (4) (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 2. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 8, for “not exceeding fifty rupees” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 3.Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “the State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).

Page 16

  • 1. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 14 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 2. Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for “the maximum compensation that may be awarded under sub-section (3) of section 15 shall be tenrupees per head” (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 3. Subs. by Act 68 of 1957, s. 7, for “An appeal against a direction made under sub-section (3) or sub-section (4) of section 15”(w.e.f. 1-4-1958).
  • 4. Subs. by s. 7,ibid., for “the direction” (w.e.f. 1-4-1958).
  • 5. The words “or in Rangoon” omitted by the A.O. 1937.

Page 17

  • 1. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 15 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 2. Subs. by s.15, ibid., for clause (b) (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 3. Subs. by Act 20 of 1937, s. 2 and the First Schedule, for “sub-section (5) (w.e.f. 14-4-1937).
  • 4. Subs. by Act 68 of 1957, s. 7, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 1-4-1958).
  • 5. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 15 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 6. Ins. by Act 68 of 1957, s. 8 (w.e.f. 1-4-1958).
  • 7. Subs. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 16, for “any official of a registered trade union authorised in writing to act on his behalf"”(w.e.f. 1-2-1965).

Page 18

  • 1. Subs. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 10, for “Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 2. Subs. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 18, for “section 5 and sections 7 to 13” (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 3. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 9, for “with fine which shall not be less than two hundred rupees but which may extend to onethousand rupees” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 4. Subs. by Act 53 of 1964, s.18, for “section 6” (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 5. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 9, for “with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 6. Ins. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 9 (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 7. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s.18 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).

Page 19

  • 1. Subs. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 11, for “industrial establishment” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 2. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 9, for “with fine which shall not be less than two hundred rupees but which may extend to onethousand rupees” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 3. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for “with fine which shall not be less than five hundred rupees but which may extend to three thousandrupees” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 4. Subs. by s. 9, ibid.,for “one hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 5. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s.19 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).

Page 20

  • 1. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 20(w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 2. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 10, for section 24 (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).

Page 21

  • 1. Subs. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 12, for “employed in a factory” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 2. Subs. by s. 12, ibid., for “displayed in such factory” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 3. Subs. by s. 12, ibid.,for “in the factory” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 4. Ins. by s. 13, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 5. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 3, for “the State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 6. The words “subject to the control of the Governor-General in Council,” omitted by the A.O. 1937.
  • 7. Subs. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 22, for “and prescribed the form thereof” (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).

Page 22

  • 1. Ins. by Act 53 of 1964, s. 22 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 2. The word “and” omitted by Act 53 of 1964, s. 22 (w.e.f. 1-2-1965).
  • 3. The word “and” omitted by Act 38 of 1982, s. 14 (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 4. Ins. by s. 14, ibid. (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 5. Subs. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 3, for “the State Government” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 6. Subs. by s. 11, ibid.,for “which may extend to two hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
  • 7. Subs. by Act 38 of 1982, s. 14, for “two successive sessions” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 8. Subs. by s. 14, ibid.,for “in which it is so laid or the session immediately following” (w.e.f. 15-10-1982).
  • 9. Ins. by Act 41 of 2005, s. 11 (w.e.f. 9-11-2005).
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