Exemption from the provisions of Industrial employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 – Extended

The Government of Karnataka, vide notification no. LD 328 LET 2023, dated 10^thJune 2024, has extended the exemption from the provisions of Industrial employment (Standing Orders ) Act , 1946, which was valid till 25th May 2024, for a period of 5 years.

Exemption from standing orders is available for organizations covered under the following industries:

• IT / ITES
• Start-ups / Animation / Gaming / Computer graphics
• Telecom
• BPO / KPO
• Other knowledge-based industries

Such exemption from standing orders is subject to the following conditions and establishment / company shall observe these while enjoying such exemption:

• Establishment / Company shall constitute an Internal Committee as per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
• Establishment / Company shall constitute a Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) constituting equal number of persons representing the employer and employees to address any complaint / grievances of any of the employees. The GRC shall be empowered to handle all types of complaints / grievances of employee within a reasonable timeframe.
• Establishment / Company shall intimate information about the cases of disciplinary action like suspension, discharge, termination, demotion, dismissal, etc. of its employees to the Jurisdictional Deputy Labour Commissioner, and the Commissioner of Labour in Karnataka.
• Any information regarding service issues or conditions of service sought by the Jurisdictional Deputy Labour Commissioner and the Commissioner of Labour in Karnataka shall be promptly and fully submitted by the employer within a reasonable timeframe fixed by the authority.

The notification also clarifies that in case the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (one of the four proposed Central labour codes) is implemented, the said code will apply to all establishments.