MOHAMMED Vs. THEIR WORKMEN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) AN industrial dispute between the appellants and their workmen was referred to the Central Government Industrial Tribunal, Dhanbad. The appellants carry on the business of excavating gypsum in Bhadwasi under a contract with the Associated Cement Companies, Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the company). The disputes related to

(2.) THE workmen demanded increase in wages along with dearness allowance, increase in the number of days of casual leave and national and festival holidays, introduction of provident fund scheme at 8 1/2 per cent, bonus for the two years in dispute at the rate of four months' wages and finally housing facilities or house-rent allowance in lieu thereof.

(3.) THEN we come to the question of housing facilities. The tribunal, as already indicated, has directed the appellants to provide aluminium houses or at any rate huts, shelter houses and the like. The question whether an employer should be asked to provide quarters for his workmen was examined by this Court in Patna Electric Supply Company, Ltd. v. Patna Electric Supply Workers' Union [1959 - II L.L.J. 366] and it was held that"It would be inexpedient in the present financial condition of the industries in the country to impost the additional burden of providing housing facilities on them which should be the primary responsibility of the State."