Workmen or unions must be heard in labour disputes: SC

In labour disputes, the aggrieved workmen/unions should be compulsorily heard by the courts, before any order is passed, as otherwise, it would be violation of the "principles of natural justice," the Supreme Court has ruled.

"Labour statutes are meant for the benefit of the workmen. Hence, ordinarily in all cases under labour statutes the workmen, or at least some of them in a representative capacity, or the trade-union representing the workmen concerned must be made a party," a bench of Justices Markandeya Katju and Asok Kumar Ganguly observed.

The apex court passed the ruling while directing the Employees State Insurance (ESI) Court in Travancore to implead (hear) certain workmen who had been refused medical insurance benefits by the Fertilizers Chemicals Travancore Ltd to decide the eligibility of the workmen under the scheme.
Source: PTI