REOPENING OF CLOSED MILLS

1.5 The Labour Department had not just stopped with resolving industrial disputes alone. The officials of the Department had taken great pains to ensure that closed mills are reopened . Several tripartite meetings were conducted to identify the causes for the closure of the mills and to take suitable steps for reopening them, and Hon’ble Chief Minister also conducted the meeting with Managements, Trade Unions and Government Officials. During the year 1999 the following closed units were reopened.

1.6 In Tamil Nadu, no Industrial Undertakings is closed due to labour problems. Some of the reasons for such closure are financial constraints due to resession in the industry, trade competition, lack of orders, difference of opinion between Partners / Share holders, etc. In no case permission under Section 25-O of the Industrial Disputes Act had been given to close down the industrial undertakings.

RELIEF FOR WORKMEN OF INDUSTRIAL UNITS WHICH REMAINED CLOSED FOR A LONG TIME.

1.7 During the year 1999 the Honourable Chief Minister had announced a scheme for the payment of monthly cash relief to workers of industrial units, which remain closed for a long time. The Government had approved a list of 79 industrial units whose workers are eligible to get the benefits of this scheme. Orders have been issued for the payment of this relief to 6166 workers. A sum of Rs. 88,76,500/- had so far been disbursed.

PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIAAMOUNT FROM THE CHIEF MINISTERS PUBLIC RELIEF FUND

1.8 The Conciliation Officers had resolved amicably the Bonus issue during the Deepavali festival seasion with due care effectively. Many of such Bonus issues were resolved in the year 1999.

At the time of Deepavali in 1999 a sum of Rs. 70,25,500/- was paid to 14,051 workmen employed in 35 units, which remained, closed or locked out for a long time. This amount was paid out of the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.

GOOD INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AWARDS SCHEME

1.9 With a view of promoting healthy industrial relations, the Government has formulated the Good Industrial Relations Awards Scheme. The Managements and the Trade Unions, which maintain good industrial relations, are given this award. A tripartite Selection Committee, appointed by the Government and consisting of four representatives each of the employer and the employees, selects the awardees. The Chairman of the Committee is a retired judge of the High Court. This Scheme is implemented from the year 1978. The last year Good Industrial Relations Award function was held on 29-07-1998 at Coimbatore. This year function has been proposed to be held at Chennai. Every year, 8 Prizes are distributed to the Management and 8 Prizes to the Unions.

IMPLEMENTATION OF ANNOUNCEMENT

1.10 As announced by the Hon’ble Minister for Labour in the floor of the Assembly during the last year Budget Session, Two Offices in the cadre of Deputy Commissioner of Labour at Coonoor and Dindigul have been created and the post of Inspector of Plantations have also been formed at Kothagiri , Theni and Bandalur. The method of compounding of offences has also been implemented under the Tamilnadu Shops and Establishments Act from 10.08.1999 onwards.