MANAGEMENT Vs. PRESIDING OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Common Award dated 25.04.2014 passed by the first respondent-Labour Court in I.D.Nos.294 to 337 of 2005, 348 of 2006 to 368 of 2006, 374 to 497 of 2006 and 499 of 2006 is under challenge in the present writ petition.

(2.) The writ petitioner states that in the year 1971, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board put up a Thermal Power Plant in Ennore and it came to be known as 'Ennore Thermal Power Station' (ETPS). As ETPS was engaged more than 20 workmen as contract labourers, it had obtained a Certificate of Registration as a principal employer under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act as early as 1978 and continued to amend the same from time to time. Amongst the contractors enumerated in the Certificate of Registration such of those who were employing more than 20 workmen as contract labourers had also taken license under the provisions of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act.

(3.) Whenever any job was awarded on contract, the Board used to float a tender inviting quotations and based on the quotations, the party who has bid the lowest will be awarded the contract. The contract will invariably be for a fixed period. When once the contract comes to an end, if there be a requirement, the Board will again float a tender inviting fresh bids.