Works Committee 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.
The Industrial Relations (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026 set out how an employer in the State forms a Works Committee and a Grievance Redressal Committee, and how a settlement is signed and filed. Chapter II turns the Code's bi-partite forums into dates, numbers and procedures.
If you are setting up either committee, an employment and labour law advisory review can check your constitution against the rules.
The rules are the Industrial Relations (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026, as notified by G.O.Rt.No.111 dated 12 June 2026. A Works Committee has not more than twenty members, with worker representatives not fewer than the employer's (rule 5). A Grievance Redressal Committee is required in an establishment with twenty or more workers, with equal representation not exceeding ten (rule 6). A worker's grievance application must be filed within one year of the cause of action (rule 7).
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, issued by the Labour, Factories, Boilers and Insurance Medical Services (Lab.II) Department. The order says the notification will be published in the Extraordinary issue of the Andhra Pradesh Gazette dated 12.06.2026. Later amendments and State notifications under these rules should be checked in the State Gazette.
Rule 1(2) says the rules "shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette". The four Labour Codes were brought into force from 21 November 2025.
The draft was published in the Gazette on 16 March 2026 with thirty days for objections. The rules are made under section 99 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and supersede three sets of State rules: the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Disputes Rules, 1958, the Andhra Pradesh Trade Unions Regulations, 1927 and the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Rules, 1953, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before the supersession. Our post on section 99 of the Code explains the rule-making power.
Memorandum of settlement (rule 4)
A settlement in conciliation, or a written agreement between employer and worker otherwise, is in Form-I. The employer signs, or an authorised agent or, for a company, the agent, manager or principal officer. For workers it is signed by the President, Vice-President, Secretary (including General Secretary), Joint Secretary, another authorised office bearer, or five representatives authorised at a meeting of workers. A settlement between an individual worker and employer is signed by both. The conciliation officer reports a conciliation settlement to the State Government. A settlement outside conciliation is jointly sent, electronically or by speed or registered post, to the Deputy Commissioner of Labour and the conciliation officer. The conciliation officer's register records serial number, industry, parties, date, remarks and the route of settlement. A settlement on agreed terms may use a format other than Form I.
The Works Committee (rule 5)
The Central rule is rule 5 of the Central Rules. The Andhra Pradesh text provides:
- Duty to constitute. An employer to whom a State Government order under section 3(1) relates "shall forthwith proceed to constitute a Works Committee".
- Size. Representation to the categories, groups and classes of workers and the sections, shops or departments; total members not above twenty; worker representatives not fewer than employer representatives; adequate representation of women, not less than their proportion of the workforce.
- Employer side. Nominated by the employer, as far as possible officials in direct touch with the working of the establishment.
- Trade union information. The employer asks each registered trade union to state in writing the number of its worker members. A union that does not reply within one month is treated as if it did not exist. If the employer believes the information is false, it may refer the matter to the Deputy Commissioner of Labour, who decides after hearing the parties.
- Worker side. A negotiating union nominates; where there is a negotiating council each registered union is represented in proportion to its members; where neither exists the workers elect. The employer may use an electronic platform for the election.
- Candidates and voters. A candidate is a worker of not less than nineteen years and one year's service (the service condition does not apply to the first election in an establishment less than a year old). A voter is not less than eighteen with six months' continuous service. Service in two or more establishments of the same employer counts.
- Election timetable. At least three working days for nominations; election not earlier than three days and not later than fifteen days after the closing date; at least seven days' notice of the election date on the notice board, naming the seats.
- Nomination and scrutiny. Nomination paper signed by the candidate and attested by two voters of the group; scrutiny by the employer on the day after the last day for filing; withdrawal within forty-eight hours of scrutiny.
- Office-bearers and term. Chairperson nominated by the employer; Vice-Chairperson elected by the worker members; Secretary and Joint Secretary elected every year, neither held by the same side for three consecutive years. Term three years; a member absent from three consecutive meetings without leave forfeits membership.
- Meetings and facilities. Not less often than once in three months; the employer provides accommodation and facilities; worker representatives are deemed on duty while attending.
- Annual return and dissolution. Details are submitted as part of the unified annual return under the OSH Code rules (rule 5(20)). The State Government or its authorised officer may dissolve a committee for reasons recorded in writing, and the employer may, or if required shall, reconstitute it.
The Grievance Redressal Committee (rule 6)
The Central position is in rules 6 to 8 of the Central Rules. In Andhra Pradesh the committee in an establishment employing twenty or more workers has an equal number of employer and worker members, "which shall not exceed ten". Employer members are nominated, preferably heads of major departments. Worker members come from the negotiating union or council, or, failing that, are chosen by the workers, with an electronic platform allowed and women represented at least in proportion to their share of the workforce. The tenure is three years. A dispute about choosing representatives is referred to the Deputy Commissioner of Labour, whose decision is final.
Applications and conciliation (rules 7 and 8)
An aggrieved worker applies to the committee giving name, designation, worker code or token number, department, years of service, category, address, contact number, details of the grievance and relief sought, electronically or otherwise, "within one year from the date on which the cause of action of such dispute arose". If the worker is aggrieved by the committee's decision, or the grievance is not resolved within thirty days of receipt of the application, he may apply to the conciliation officer through his Trade Union, online on the State Labour Department's designated portal, by registered post, speed post or in person, within sixty days of the decision or of the end of the period in section 4(6). Manual applications are digitised by the conciliation officer, with intimation to the union and worker.
At a glance
| Obligation | Rule | Number or period as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Works Committee size | 5(2) | Not more than twenty members |
| Candidate qualification | 5(7) | Nineteen years; one year of service |
| Voter qualification | 5(8) | Eighteen years; six months' service |
| Term of Works Committee | 5(15) | Three years |
| Meetings | 5(18) | At least once in three months |
| Grievance Committee | 6(1) | Twenty or more workers; not more than ten members |
| Grievance application | 7(3) | Within one year of the cause of action |
| Conciliation application | 8 | Within sixty days; unresolved after thirty days |
A worked example
Rayalaseema Auto Components, an invented establishment in Tirupati with more than twenty workers, must form a Grievance Redressal Committee. With no negotiating union, the workers choose their representatives on an electronic platform the company provides, and the company nominates an equal number of its department heads, keeping the total within ten. A packer files a grievance in writing eight months after an incident; the filing is within the one-year limit. After thirty days without resolution, he applies to the conciliation officer through his union.
Common lapses
- Treating a union that did not reply in one month as still counted.
- Fixing an election date less than three days after nominations close.
- Letting the same side hold the Secretary post for three consecutive years.
- Forgetting the Works Committee details in the unified annual return.
Need help with committees and settlements?
Constituting the committees correctly, and papering settlements in Form I, are matters where a short advisory review pays for itself. Our employment and labour law advisory team works with Andhra Pradesh employers on this.
Key takeaways
- Works Committee: up to twenty members, workers at least equal to employer, three-year term.
- Grievance Redressal Committee: twenty or more workers, equal sides, up to ten members, three-year tenure.
- Grievance application within one year; conciliation within sixty days after the committee's decision or thirty days of no resolution.
- Settlements go in Form-I, unless the parties agree another format.
Read next
- Industrial Relations (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026: registration of trade unions, returns and the negotiating union
- Industrial Relations (Andhra Pradesh) Rules, 2026: standing orders and notice of change
- Rule 5 of the Industrial Relations Central Rules, 2026: Works Committee
- Rules 6 to 8 of the Industrial Relations Central Rules, 2026: Grievance Redressal Committee
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.