Four Labour Codes 2020 — Set 3
Labour Laws · चार श्रम संहिताएं 2020 · Questions 21–30 of 200
The threshold for requiring prior government permission for layoff, retrenchment, or closure was raised from 100 to how many workers under the Industrial Relations Code 2020?
Correct Answer: C. 300
The Industrial Relations Code 2020 raised the threshold for requiring prior government permission for layoff, retrenchment, or closure from 100 workers to 300 workers. This means establishments with fewer than 300 workers can now carry out these actions without prior government approval. Critics argued this weakens job security, while proponents claimed it improves flexibility for medium-sized businesses.
What percentage of membership is required for a trade union to be recognised as the sole negotiating union under the Industrial Relations Code?
Correct Answer: C. 51%
Under the Industrial Relations Code 2020, a trade union must have at least 51% membership of the total workers in an establishment to be recognised as the sole negotiating union. If no single union has 51% membership, a Negotiating Council comprising all unions with at least 20% membership is constituted. This provision was aimed at reducing multiplicity of unions and ensuring effective collective bargaining.
What is a 'Negotiating Council' under the Industrial Relations Code?
Correct Answer: B. A council formed when no single union has 51% membership
A Negotiating Council is constituted under the Industrial Relations Code when no single trade union commands 51% membership to qualify as the sole negotiating union. The council includes representatives from all recognised trade unions that have at least 20% membership in the establishment. It enables collective bargaining even in establishments with fragmented union membership.
The Industrial Relations Code 2020 introduced a Re-skilling Fund for which category of workers?
Correct Answer: B. Retrenched workers
The Industrial Relations Code 2020 mandates the creation of a Re-skilling Fund to help workers who have been retrenched. Employers are required to contribute to this fund, with 15 days of wages per retrenched worker being the prescribed contribution. The fund is intended to help displaced workers acquire new skills and find alternative employment.
What concept did the Industrial Relations Code universalise across all industries?
Correct Answer: B. Fixed-term employment
The Industrial Relations Code 2020 universalised fixed-term employment across all industries. Earlier, fixed-term employment was permitted only in specific sectors like garments and footwear. Fixed-term employees are entitled to all statutory benefits proportionate to their tenure, including gratuity (if employed for one year), and cannot be treated worse than permanent workers doing the same work.
What is the notice period required before a strike in an industrial establishment under the Industrial Relations Code?
Correct Answer: B. 14 days
Under the Industrial Relations Code 2020, workers in industrial establishments must give 14 days' notice before going on strike. For public utility services, the notice period is 60 days. This replaced the earlier requirement of only 6 weeks' notice for public utilities and 14 days for others, effectively extending the notice period for some categories.
Under the Industrial Relations Code, what is the strike notice period for public utility services?
Correct Answer: D. 60 days
Workers in public utility services must give 60 days' notice before going on strike under the Industrial Relations Code 2020. Public utility services include sectors like railways, water, electricity, postal, and other essential services. The longer notice period for public utilities is meant to protect essential services and allow time for conciliation.
Standing orders (terms of employment) are mandatory under the Industrial Relations Code for establishments with how many workers?
Correct Answer: D. 300+
The Industrial Relations Code 2020 raised the threshold for mandatory standing orders from 100 workers (under the Industrial Employment Standing Orders Act 1946) to 300 workers. Standing orders govern conditions of service such as working hours, leave, and disciplinary procedures. This change reduced the compliance burden on smaller establishments but was criticised for reducing worker protections.
Under the Industrial Relations Code 2020, a 'worker' definition is expanded to include supervisory workers earning up to how much per month?
Correct Answer: C. Rs 18,000
The Industrial Relations Code 2020 expanded the definition of 'worker' to include supervisory workers earning up to Rs 18,000 per month. Under the earlier Industrial Disputes Act, the wage ceiling for supervisors to qualify as 'workmen' was Rs 10,000. This expansion brings more employees within the protective ambit of industrial dispute resolution mechanisms.
Which Act relating to trade unions is consolidated under the Industrial Relations Code 2020?
Correct Answer: B. Trade Unions Act 1926
The Trade Unions Act 1926 is one of the three laws consolidated under the Industrial Relations Code 2020. This act had governed the registration, rights, and immunities of trade unions in India for nearly a century. The new code retains core provisions of the 1926 Act while introducing changes like the 51% membership requirement for sole negotiating union status.