SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER Vs. INSPECTOR OF LABOUR, ERODE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The batch of writ petitions challenges the orders passed by the Labour Inspector under the Tamil Nadu Industrial Establishments (Conferment of Permanent Status to Workmen) Act, 1981 [for brevity, "the Act of 1981"]. By the impugned orders, the Labour Inspector issued directions for grant of permanent status to the respondent employees from the date of completion of 480 days in 24 calendar months of their service.

(2.) The challenge to the said orders has been made on many grounds, but before addressing the issues raised by the petitioner and contested by the respondents, it would be appropriate to give brief facts of the case.

(3.) It is a case where the union and employees made a claim before the Labour Inspector for grant of permanent status as they rendered continuous service for a period of 480 days in a period of 24 calendar months. The Labour Inspector caused an enquiry in pursuance to the claim and passed orders directing the petitioner corporation to confer permanent status to the members of the petitioner association and even individual employees who approached the Labour Inspector. It was after making adjudication in reference to the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 [for brevity, "the Act of 1970"]. It is alleged by the petitioner corporation that order has been passed without recording the finding on completion of 480 days continuous service in the preceding 24 calendar months by each employee giving out the days and months. On the aforesaid factual background, challenge to the orders passed by the Labour Inspector has been made.