Introduction to the Course:

Labour laws provide the basis for defining and governing the nature of employment relationship that exists between the employer on one side and the workers ,especially in the organized sector, on the other . This relationship has been traditionally referred to as Industrial Relations  and includes the rights and duties on the part of both employers and workers. Over time with the liberalization of the economy and changes in employment practices the scope of Industrial Relations has expanded and made way for a wider concept of employee relations .This course will focus primarily on the provisions of the principal labour laws  and  the fundamental concepts  of Industrial Relations and its gradual transformation into employee relations in the Indian context.  It will examine the structure and process of discipline, trade unionism, collective bargaining, wage negotiation, participative management, grievance management and related issues. It will also take a look at the emerging trends in  employee relations including proposed rationalization of some of the labour laws.

Course Objectives:

1.      Familiarize students with the evolution of labour laws in India and the role of ILO

 

2.      Help students understand the various approaches to the study of industrial relations and emerging employee relations and the core issues and principles in the employer-employee relationship along with their implications

 

3.      Help students develop conceptual clarity pertaining to discipline and pragmatic handling of disciplinary cases including conduct of  departmental enquiry based on principles of natural justice; grievance handling machinery

 

4.      Provide  students with a fair degree of exposure on how to deal with employment relations with employees when they negotiate as individuals or collectively bargain as members of a union ; give them an understanding of workers’ participation in management

 

5.      Familiarize students with the provisions and applicability of laws related to trade unions ,industrial disputes, payment of wage, bonus ,gratuity and other benefits ,occupational health and safety , contract labour etc.