Industrial 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.
Chapters VI and VII of the Industrial Relations (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026 set out how a dispute is referred to voluntary arbitration, how a conciliation officer runs conciliation and reports, and how a worker applies to recover money due or to have a money benefit computed.
If a dispute is already in motion, our legal dispute resolution team can help you prepare statements and affidavits.
The rules are the Industrial Relations (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026, as notified by G.O.Rt.No.111 dated 12 June 2026. A voluntary arbitration agreement is made in Form-V, with the arbitrator's consent (rule 22). A conciliation officer who fails to settle must upload a report within seven days of concluding the proceedings (rule 25(4)). A worker's application for the amount due is made to the Tribunal in Form IX, to be decided within three months (rule 26(2)).
Notification and commencement
The rules are the Industrial Relations (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026, as notified by G.O.Rt.No.111 dated 12 June 2026. Later amendments and State notifications under these rules should be checked in the State Gazette. Rule 1(2) says they come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette, and the four Labour Codes were brought into force from 21 November 2025. For standing orders and notice of change, see our article on Chapters IV and V.
Voluntary arbitration (rules 22 to 24)
The Central counterpart is rules 20 to 22 of the Central Rules. The Andhra Pradesh rules provide:
- The agreement (rule 22). The employer and workers may refer an industrial dispute to arbitration by an agreement in Form-V. It is signed by the parties and accompanied by the consent, in writing or electronically, of the arbitrator or arbitrators.
- Who signs. For an employer, the employer himself or, for a company or body corporate, the agent, manager or other authorised officer. For workers, an authorised officer of the registered trade union or five representatives authorised at a meeting of the workers. For an individual worker, the worker himself, an officer of his union, or another worker of the same establishment duly authorised. "Officer" of a union means the President, Vice-President, Secretary (including General Secretary), a Joint Secretary, or another officer authorised by the President and Secretary.
- Notification (rule 23). If the State Government is satisfied that the persons making the reference represent the majority of each party, it publishes a notification in the Official Gazette and uploads it on the State Labour Department website, so that employers and workers who are not parties but are concerned in the dispute can present their case before the arbitrator.
- Where there is no trade union (rule 24). Workers choose their representative by a resolution passed by a majority of the concerned workers in Form-VI, authorising representation, and are bound by the acts of the representative so chosen.
Conciliation proceedings (rule 25)
Under rule 25(1), a conciliation officer who receives a notice of strike or lock-out under rule 27 or 28, an application on an existing industrial dispute, or information about an apprehended dispute, enters the details on the designated portal. For a notice of strike or lock-out he holds conciliation and informs the parties of the sitting date. For an application he examines it, transfers it to the concerned authority if the dispute belongs to the Central Government's jurisdiction, or otherwise holds conciliation. For an apprehended dispute he issues a fresh notice of his intention to begin conciliation. The Central rule is rule 23 of the Central Rules.
The remaining steps are:
- The employer's and worker's representatives submit their statements in the first meeting on receipt of the notice.
- The officer ascertains the facts "without delay" and holds conciliation to induce a fair and amicable settlement.
- If there is no settlement, the officer within seven days of concluding the proceedings uploads a report on the State Labour Department's designated portal and forwards a copy, electronically, by registered or speed post or in person, to the parties and the Government.
- If there is a settlement, the officer reports it to the appropriate Government or authorised officer with the memorandum of settlement signed by the parties, and uploads both.
- The failure report contains the submissions of each side, the officer's efforts, the reasons the parties refused to resolve the dispute, and the conclusion arrived at.
- "All the evidences" before the conciliation officer, except documentary evidence, are filed as affidavits, and the parties file the application, reply and rejoinder as affidavits.
Recovery of dues and computation of benefits (rule 26)
- Money due under a settlement, award or Chapter IX or X of the Code. The worker or group of workers applies in Form VII. If a person authorised in writing applies, or on the worker's death the assignee or heir applies, the application is in Form VIII. See rule 24 of the Central Rules.
- Money benefit capable of being computed. The worker or group applies to the Tribunal having jurisdiction in Form IX, and the Tribunal decides "within a period not exceeding three months from the date on which the application is filed". On the death of the worker, the assignee or heir applies in Form X.
Applications before the Tribunal on union disputes are in Form II within one year (rule 11), explained in our article on trade unions and recognition.
At a glance
| Step | Rule | Form, period or authority as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Arbitration agreement | 22 | Form-V; consent of arbitrator |
| Workers' representative, no union | 24 | Form-VI; majority resolution |
| Statements | 25(2) | In the first conciliation meeting |
| Failure report | 25(4) | Within seven days of concluding proceedings |
| Evidence | 25(7) | Affidavit, except documents |
| Recovery of dues | 26(1) | Form VII (Form VIII if authorised person or heir) |
| Computation of benefit | 26(2) | Form IX to the Tribunal; decision within three months |
| On death of worker | 26(2) proviso | Form X by assignee or heir |
A worked example
Uppada Handlooms, an invented employer in East Godavari, receives a notice from the conciliation officer about a dispute with a union. The company's HR manager and the union's representative each file written statements at the first sitting, and keep the evidence in affidavit form. The conciliation fails; the officer uploads his report on the portal within seven days of the last sitting, and each side receives a copy. A weaver later applies to the Tribunal in Form IX to compute the money value of a benefit.
Common lapses
- Arriving at the first sitting without a statement.
- Filing oral evidence summaries instead of affidavits.
- Using Form VII where an authorised person or an heir is applying, when Form VIII or Form X applies.
- Signing the arbitration agreement without the arbitrator's consent annexed.
Need help with a dispute?
Preparing for conciliation, an arbitration agreement or a Tribunal application is more efficient when the paperwork is in order from the start. Our legal dispute resolution team can help with the preparation.
Key takeaways
- Arbitration: Form-V agreement, arbitrator's consent, Gazette notification if both sides are represented by a majority.
- Conciliation: statements at the first meeting; report within seven days of failure; evidence by affidavit.
- Recovery: Form VII or VIII; computation: Form IX or X; decision within three months.
Read next
- Industrial Relations (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026: standing orders and notice of change
- Industrial Relations (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026: strike, lock-out, lay-off, retrenchment, closure and the Re-skilling Fund
- Rule 23 of the Industrial Relations Central Rules, 2026: conciliation proceedings
- Rule 24 of the Industrial Relations Central Rules, 2026: application for recovery of dues
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.