Features of the Act

_{·        Any industrial dispute may be referred to an industrial tribunal by mutual consent of parties to dispute or by the State Government, if it deems expedient to do so.}

_{·        An award shall be binding on both the parties to the dispute for the operated period, not exceeding one year;}

_{·        Strike and lockouts are prohibited during: The pendency of conciliation and adjudication proceedings. The pendency of settlements reached in the course of conciliation proceedings; and The pendency of awards of Industrial Tribunal declared binding by the appropriate government.}

_{·        In public interest or emergency, the appropriate Government has power to declare the transport (other than railways), coal, cotton textiles, food stuffs and iron and steel industries to be public utility services for the purpose of the Act, for a maximum period of six months.}

_{·        In case of lay-off or retrenchment of workmen, the employer is directed to pay compensation to them. This provision stands in the case of transfer or closure of an undertaking also.}

_{·        A number of authorities (Works Committees, Conciliation Officers, Board of Conciliation, Courts of Inquiry, Labour Courts, Tribunal and National Tribunal) are provided for settlement of Industrial disputes. Although the nature of powers, functions and duties of these authorities differ from each other, even then everyone plays important role in ensuring industrial peace.}