Labour & Employment

Labour and employment law covers the relationship between employers, employees and trade unions, regulating hiring, wages, working conditions, social security, workplace safety, collective bargaining and dispute resolution. It seeks to balance employers’ managerial prerogatives with workers’ rights to fair treatment, social protection and access to remedies. The landscape comprises numerous statutes, rules, and case law tailored to sectors, workforce size and employment categories.

Key features

• Employment contracts: Terms and conditions of employment—wages, working hours, leave, termination—are governed by contracts and statutory minimum standards.
• Wages and social security: Minimum wages, payment mechanisms, provident fund, gratuity and employee state insurance provide social protection.
• Workplace safety: Occupational safety and health statutes impose employer duties to provide safe working conditions.
• Collective bargaining and unions: Trade union recognition, collective agreements and strike/lockout regulations govern industrial relations.
• Dispute resolution: Labour courts, industrial tribunals and labour commissioners adjudicate disputes relating to unfair dismissal, unpaid wages, and collective conflicts.

Practical considerations

Advising employers and employees requires compliance audits, contract drafting, policy formulation and dispute mitigation strategies. Employers must maintain statutory records, follow fair procedures for disciplinary actions and ensure lawful terminations. Employees should understand grievance mechanisms, statutory entitlements and representation options. Alternative dispute resolution, negotiated settlements and adherence to procedural safeguards often prevent prolonged litigation and protect organizational reputation and worker welfare.