In force · As amended up to 2026-08
(2) During the pendency of any such proceeding in respect of an
industrial dispute, the employer may, in accordance with the standing orders
applicable to a workman concerned in such dispute 2*[or, where there are no
such standing orders, in accordance with the terms of the contract, whether
express or implied, between him and the workman],--
```
```
(a) alter, in regard to any matter not connected with the
dispute, the conditions of service applicable to that
workman immediately before the commencement of such
proceeding; or
(b) for any misconduct not connected with the dispute, or
discharge or punish, whether by dismissal or otherwise, that
workman:
```
```
Provided that no such workman shall be discharged or dismissed, unless
he has been paid wages for one month and an application has been made by
the employer to the authority before which the proceeding is pending for
approval of the action taken by the employer.
```
```
---------------------------------------------------------------------
```
```
1. Subs. by Act 36 of 1956, s. 21, for s. 33 (w.e.f. 10-3-1957).
```
```
2. Ins. by Act 36 of 1964, s. 18 (w.e.f. 19-12-1964).
```
```
```
```
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), no
employer shall, during the pendency of any such proceeding in respect of an
industrial dispute, take any action against any protected workman
concerned in such dispute--
(a) by altering, to the prejudice of such protected workman, the
conditions of service applicable to him immediately before
the commencement of such proceedings; or
(b) by discharging or punishing, whether by dismissal or
otherwise, such protected workman,
save with the express permission in writing of the authority before which
the proceeding is pending.
Explanation.--For the purposes of this sub-section, a "protected
workman", in relation to an establishment, means a workman who, being
1*[a member of the executive or other office bearer] of a registered trade
union connected with the establishment, is recognised as such in accordance
with rules made in this behalf.
(4) In every establishment, the number of workmen to be
recognised as protected workmen for the purposes of sub-section (3) shall
be one per cent. of the total number of workmen employed therein subject to a
minimum number of five protected workmen and a maximum number of one hundred
protected workmen and for the aforesaid purpose, the appropriate Government
may make rules providing for the
distribution of such protected workmen among various trade unions, if any,
connected with the establishment and the manner in which the workmen may
be chosen and recognised as protected workmen.
(5) Where an employer makes an application to a conciliation
officer, Board, 2*[an arbitrator, a] labour Court, Tribunal or
National Tribunal under the proviso to sub-section (2) for approval of the
action taken by him, the authority concerned shall, without delay, hear such
application and pass, 3*[within a period of three months from the date of
receipt of such application], such order in relation thereto as it deems
fit:]
4*[Provided that where any such authority considers it necessary or
expedient so to do, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, extend
such period by such further period as it may think fit:
Provided further that no proceedings before any such authority shall
lapse merely on the ground that any period specified in this sub-section
had expired without such proceedings being completed.]
```
```
33.
```
```
Conditions of service, etc., to remain unchanged under
certaincircumstances during pendency of proceedings.
```
```
1*[33. Conditions of service, etc., to remain unchanged under
certain circumstances during pendency of proceedings.- (1) During the
pendency of any conciliation proceeding before a conciliation officer or a
Board or of any proceeding before 2*[an arbitrator or] a Labour Court or
Tribunal or National Tribunal in respect of an industrial dispute, no
employer shall--
```
```
(a) in regard to any matter connected with the dispute,
alter, to the prejudice of the workmen concerned in such
dispute, the conditions of service applicable to them
immediately before the commencement of such
proceeding; or
```
```
(b) for any misconduct connected with the dispute, discharge or
punish, whether by dismissal or otherwise, any workmen
concerned in such dispute,
```
```
save with the express permission in writing of the authority before which
the proceeding is pending.
```
```
Source: India Code