Industrial Relations Gujarat explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Chapter XI (rule 36) and Chapter XII (rules 37 to 40) of the Industrial Relations (Gujarat) Rules, 2021 deal with compounding of offences, protected workers, complaints by aggrieved workers and authorisation to represent a party. Twenty-two Forms are appended; this article lists each with its rule and purpose.
The rules are the Industrial Relations (Gujarat) Rules, 2021, as notified on 5 October 2021 (No. KHR-2021-129-IDA-122020-539471-M(2)), in force from the commencement of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. A compounding notice goes out in Form X through the Commissioner/Director of Labour's portal and the accused has fifteen days from receipt to file Part III and deposit the amount (rule 36). A union tells the employer its protected workers before 30 April every year (rule 37).
Later amendments and State notifications under these rules should be checked in the State Gazette.
Commencement and Central rules
Rule 1(3) reads: "They shall come into the force from the commencement of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020." The four Labour Codes were brought into force from 21 November 2025. The Central rules are in rule 38 on composition of offences, rule 39 on protected workers and Forms 14, 15 and 16. If an offence notice has reached you, our legal dispute resolution team can advise on the response.
What the employer must do
| Obligation | Rule | Form | Time limit as printed | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Respond to a compounding notice | 36(2) | Part III of Form X, filled in; compounding amount deposited | Within fifteen days of receipt of the notice | Compounding officer notified by the State Government |
| Recognise protected workers | 37(2) | List communicated in writing to the union | Within fifteen days of receiving the names | Employer |
| Allot protected workers among unions | 37(3) | Written intimation to President or Secretary of each union | When names exceed the maximum | Employer |
| Resolve a protected-worker dispute | 37(4) | Reference | Not stated | Assistant Commissioner of Labour concerned; decision final |
| Complaint under section 91 (by a worker) | 38 | Form XI | Not stated | Conciliation Officer, arbitrator or Tribunal |
| Authorise a representative | 39, 40 | Form IV | Not stated | Proceeding authority |
Compounding of offences (rule 36)
Where prosecution has not been instituted and the compounding officer thinks an offence is compoundable under section 89, he sends a notice through the portal of the Commissioner/Director of Labour in Form X, which has three parts: Part I names the offender, the offence, the section and the compounding amount; Part II states the consequences if the offence is not compounded; and Part III is the application the accused files if he wishes to compound. Each notice carries a continuous unique number. The accused sends Part III electronically and deposits the amount, electronically or otherwise, within fifteen days of receipt, in the account specified in the notice.
If prosecution has been instituted, the accused applies to the Court, which may allow composition by the compounding officer. On compliance, the officer compounds for the amount deposited. If this is before prosecution, no complaint is instituted. If it is after, the officer treats the case as closed and intimates the Court, which discharges the accused. The officer works under the direction, control and supervision of the State Government.
Protected workers (rule 37)
Each registered union connected with an establishment communicates to the employer, before 30 April every year, the names and addresses of its officers employed there whom it wants recognised as protected workers, and any change within fifteen days. The employer recognises them, subject to section 90(3) and (4), and gives the union a written list within fifteen days of receiving the names, for twelve months from that communication. If the names exceed the maximum admissible, the employer recognises only the maximum, distributed among unions in proportion to membership; a union allotted fewer than its officers selects which to recognise and tells the employer within five days of the employer's letter.
Complaints and representation (rules 38 to 40)
A worker's complaint under section 91 is made electronically, in person or by registered or speed post in Form XI, with as many copies as there are opposite parties, and verified by the worker or an authorised representative. A worker who is not a union member may authorise a union executive member or office-bearer, or another worker in the industry, in Form IV to represent him; an employer outside any employers' association may authorise an association officer or another employer in the industry in Form IV.
The Forms
| Form | Rule | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| I | 3 | Memorandum of settlement (in conciliation or otherwise) |
| II | 17 | Notice of change of service conditions |
| III | 18 | Agreement for voluntary arbitration |
| IV | 20, 39, 40 | Authorisation to be represented before an authority |
| IV(A) | 21, 22 | Oath of office, Judicial or Administrative Member of the Tribunal |
| V | 23 | Application to the Industrial Tribunal for matters not settled in conciliation |
| VI | 24 | Notice of strike |
| VII | 25 | Notice of lock-out |
| VIII | 26, 28 | Notice of retrenchment or closure to the State Government |
| IX | 29, 31, 33 | Application for permission for lay-off, retrenchment or closure |
| X | 36 | Notice for compounding an offence (three parts) |
| XI | 38 | Complaint under section 91 |
| XII | 41(1) | Application for registration of a Trade Union |
| XIII | 42 | Certificate of registration |
| XIV | 43 | Register of Trade Unions |
| XV | 45 | Request to withdraw or cancel registration |
| XVI | 47 | Application to the Tribunal on trade union disputes |
| XVII | 48 | Change in registration particulars, constitution or rules |
| XVIII | 49 | Notice of change of name |
| XIX | 50 | Notice of amalgamation |
| XX | 51 | Notice of dissolution |
| XXI | 53, 56 | Annual return |
A worked example
Girnar Textiles Ltd, Junagadh, receives a Form X notice through the portal. It reads Part I (the section and the compounding amount), files Part III electronically and deposits the amount in the account the notice names, all within fifteen days of receipt. Separately, the company's union informs it in April of two officers to be protected workers; the company confirms the list in writing within fifteen days.
Need help with an offence notice?
A compounding notice has a short window and a fixed account for payment. Our legal dispute resolution team can review the notice, the section named and the compounding amount before you respond.
Key takeaways
- The compounding notice is Form X, in three parts; respond within fifteen days of receipt.
- Compounding before prosecution bars a complaint; after prosecution the Court discharges the accused.
- Unions notify protected workers before 30 April each year; the employer replies within fifteen days.
- Section 91 complaints are in Form XI; representation is authorised in Form IV.
- Twenty-two Forms (I to XXI, with IV(A)) are appended.
Read next
- Industrial Relations (Gujarat) Rules, 2021: strike, lock-out, retrenchment, closure and re-skilling fund
- Industrial Relations (Gujarat) Rules, 2021: trade union registration, returns and negotiating union
- Rule 38 of the Central Rules: composition of offence
Disclaimer: Based on the State or Union territory rules named above, as notified under the Labour Codes and consulted on 4 October 2026. Later amendments, State notifications, fees and forms should be checked in the State Gazette and on the State labour department website. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.