Works Committee under ID Act 1947

Hi, If you are working as an HR professional in any Organization and you are playing a role of ER & IR domain then you need to know about Works Committee under ID Act 1947. Well, your awareness about not only help you about qualifying interview but also help you to implement the statutory committees in the establishment.

So let us deep dive into the article………………

What is Works Committee under ID Act 1947 ?

Works committee is a statutory committee need do be formed under Section-3 of Industrial Dispute Act, 1947. Equal number employer and workmen representative come forward to set up the committee. One of them shall be elected as Chairman for 1 year to conduct and conclude the meeting.

What is purpose of Works Committee under ID Act 1947 ?

TO create a sense of Partnership between Management & Workmen. Both of them shall come forward in Table to discuss about the absolute problems of the workplace and decide possible solution and implement it.

What are the statutory requirement for the Formation of Works Committee under ID Act 1947 ?

In any Industrial Establishment where more than 100 numbers of workmen were employed in any day in preceding 12 months, then a Works Committee shall be constituted. Detail provision is mentioned below:

Statutory Requirement

• Under Section-3 of Industrial dispute Act, 1947
• If more than 100 workmen working in Factory, Then Works Committee formation is mandatory.
• Management Representatives= Workmen Representative Representatives
• Total Members= Not exceeding 20 No.
• Term of Chairmanship= Not exceeding 1 Year
• Chairman shall be changed every year from both Workmen & Management side.
• Candidates added to the committee should have worked with the company for at least 1 year and should have attained a minimum age of 19 year.

What is Section-3 of Industrial Dispute Act 1947 ?

Under Section 3 of ID act 1947, it is prescribed that if any organization where 100 or more workmen were engaged in any work, then a Works committee shall be constituted, It is Statutory in nature.

How many members are participated in Works Committee ?

Total number of members including management and workmen shall bot exceed 20. Among them one shall be nominated as Chairman.

What kind of management employee shall be included in Works Committee ?

In Works Committee mostly technical matters like workplace related issue, safety issue, issues related to noise, dust, ventilation, confined place are discussed. So it better to incorporate Technical employee preferably senior employee who can take decision instantly.

Who can be the Chairman of Works Committee ?

Any member can be the chairman of committee. It is prescribed that workmen representative and employer representative shall be the chairman every year on alternatively.

What is the tenure of Chairman of Works Committee ?

The chairman of Works Committee shall be held for 1 Year. Every year both workmen and management shall be changed as Chairman alternatively.

Who can be members of Works Committee ?

Those workmen who have worked for more than 1 year in the establishment and passed 19 years of age can be the member of this Committee.

What are the matters discussed in Works Committee ?

Under Section-3 Industrial Dispute Act, it is described specific matters need to be discussed in Works Committee.

Matters Connected

1. Condition of Work-Lighting, Ventilation, Temperature, Urinals Etc.
2.  Amenities: Drinking Water, Canteen, Medical & Health.
3. Accident Prevention & Occupational diseases
4. Safety Practices & PPEs
5. Educational & Recreation activity.
6. Training & Development activity

Matter not connected.

1. Wages, Bonus, Allowances, PF Contributions Etc.
2. Quantum of Leave & Holidays
3. Retirement benefit, EPF, Gratuity Etc.
4. Retrenchment & Lay-off
5. Incentive Schemes
6. Rationalization of Workload.

What are the Functions of Works Committee ?

Specific functions of Works Committee as mentioned below

Function of Committee:

1. Promote Harmonious relationship between Management & Employee.
2. Encourage workman for positive change in the Productivity.
3. Consultation and Negotiation: platform for discussing and negotiating matters related to work conditions, Welfare and other issues that affect the employees.
4. Settle Differences and amicable relation between Management & Workmen so that matter to be raise to a serious dispute.
5. To give free hand to parties to discuss, reasoning & come to conclusion.
6. Prioritize common Interest & Concerns.
7. Record keeping all the meeting & resolution.

What are the Powers of Works Committee ?

Powers of Works committee is mentioned below,

• To  maintain the harmonious relationship between Management and workmen.
• To reflect upon the matters of Safety, health, Hygiene, working condition of workmen.
• To understand the ground difficulties of workmen while working on the site.
• To highlight the basic problems like Drinking Water, Canteen, Toilets & urinal Facility, Rest Room Facility of site.

What is the Difference between Works Committee & Grievance redressal Committee ?

In works committee mostly workplace related issues are discussed and settled whereas in Grievance redressal committee mostly behavioral issues like adverse relationship between workmen and supervisor, long absenteeism, insubordination issues, misbehavior to women workmen are discussed.

Conclusion :

As far as Industrial establishment is concern legally there must have a Works Committee to be constituted to protect the interest of workmen and to ensure safety, health and security at the workplace.

I hope this article helped to you to understand the importance and purpose of Works Committee mentioned under Section 3 of Industrial Dispute Act 1947.