Industrial Relations Lakshadweep Rules 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 (Lakshadweep) Rules, 2025 are the Union Territory's rules under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. For an island employer they set out how a Works Committee and a Grievance Redressal Committee are formed, what a trade union must pay, file and audit, when a union becomes the sole negotiating union, and how standing orders are adopted or certified.
A Works Committee has not more than twenty members, with worker representatives not fewer than the employer's (rule 4(2)); a Grievance Redressal Committee has equal sides not exceeding ten (rule 5(1)). A union becomes the sole negotiating union with fifty-one per cent of the muster roll (rule 18(2) and (3)); otherwise a negotiating council is formed from unions with not less than twenty per cent support. The standing orders chapter does not apply to establishments with less than 500 workers (rule 35).
The rule set and commencement
The rules are the Industrial Relations (Lakshadweep) Rules, 2025, as notified on 25 March 2026 (F.No.08/02/2024-LE&T/73, Lakshadweep Gazette Extraordinary of 30 March 2026). Later amendments and State notifications under these rules should be checked in the State Gazette.
They are made by the Administrator under section 99(1) of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, read with the powers delegated by the Ministry of Home Affairs by Notification S.O. 273(E) dated 16th January, 2023, in supersession of the rules on the subject in force in the Union Territory, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before the supersession. Rule 1(ii) extends them to the whole of the Union Territory, and rule 1(iii) says: "They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette." The four Codes were brought into force from 21 November 2025. Under rule 2, "Government" means the Administration of the Union Territory, and "electronically" includes submission by email, upload on the designated portal or digital payment in any mode.
How the rules sit with the Central rules
The Code section that authorises these rules is explained in section 99 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. The Central rules on bi-partite forums are in rule 5 and rules 6 to 8, on recognition in rule 9, and on standing orders in rule 10. Advice on setting up these forums in a Lakshadweep establishment is available through our employment and labour law advisory service. Disputes, strikes and closure are in our companion article on the Lakshadweep disputes rules. The rest of this article gives the Lakshadweep text only.
Chapter II: the Works Committee (rule 4)
Rule 3 provides that the written agreement for a settlement before the Conciliation Officer is in Form I, signed by the parties, with a copy to the Conciliation Officer. Rule 4 then applies to every employer to whom an order under section 3(1) relates; the employer must forthwith constitute a Works Committee.
- Size and balance (4(2)). Members are fixed to represent the categories, groups and classes of workers and the sections, shops or departments; the total must not exceed twenty, and worker representatives must not be fewer than the employer's.
- Employer side (4(3)). Nominated by the employer, as far as possible officials in direct touch with the working of the establishment.
- Worker side (4(4) and (5)). Where workers belong to a registered trade union, the employer asks the union in writing how many of the workers are members. If the employer has reason to believe the figure is false, the employer may, after informing the union, refer the matter to the Secretary (Labour) of the Administration, whose decision after hearing the parties is final. Registered unions choose representatives in proportion to membership; where there is no registered union, workers choose among themselves.
- Office-bearers (4(5)). A Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Joint Secretary. The Chairman is nominated by the employer from the employer's representatives and, as far as possible, is the head of the establishment. The Vice-Chairman is elected by the worker members. The Secretary and Joint Secretary are elected every year, one from each side, and neither post may be held by the same side for two consecutive years.
- Term (4(6)). Three years, except a casual vacancy, which runs for the predecessor's unexpired term.
- Meetings and facilities (4(9) and (10)). Meetings as often as necessary, ordinarily during working hours on a working day, with worker representatives deemed on duty; the employer provides accommodation and facilities.
- Dissolution (4(11)). The Government, or an officer to whom the power is delegated, may dissolve a committee not constituted in accordance with the rules or that has ceased to function, and the employer may, and if required shall, reconstitute it.
The Grievance Redressal Committee (rules 5 to 7)
Rule 5 requires an equal number of employer and worker members, not exceeding ten. Employer members are nominated by the employer, preferably heads of major departments. Worker members are chosen by the registered trade union and, where a negotiating council exists, in the same proportion as the unions are represented in the council; where there is no registered union, the workers choose them. Representation of women workers must be adequate and not less than the proportion of women to total workers. Tenure is co-terminus with the tenure of the union's members, or three years from constitution where there is no registered union.
Under rule 6 an aggrieved worker applies to the committee, electronically or otherwise, giving name, designation, employee code, department, length of service in years, category, address, contact number, details of the grievance and relief sought. The grievance may be raised within one year from the date the cause of action arises. Under rule 7, a worker aggrieved by the committee's decision, or whose grievance is not resolved within thirty days of receipt of the application, may apply to the Conciliation Officer within sixty days from the decision or from the expiry of the period in section 4(6), through the union of which the worker is a member or otherwise.
Chapter III: trade unions
| Obligation | Rule | Form | Figure or period as printed | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission and monthly subscription | 8(iii) and 21 | None | Rs. 100/- admission; monthly not less than Rs. 30/- and not more than Rs. 50/- per member | Trade union |
| Application for registration | 10(1) | Form III | Fee of rupees 100/- or as the Government prescribes by notification | Registrar |
| Affidavit | 10(2) | Form IV | With the application | Registrar |
| Register of trade unions | 12 | Form V | Maintained by the Registrar | Registrar |
| Certificate of registration | 13 | Form VI | Issued by the Registrar | Registrar |
| Appeal against Registrar's order | 15 | Appeal | Within sixty days of the order | Appellate authority under section 10 |
| Adjudication application by a union | 22 | Written application | Within sixty days of the dispute | Industrial Tribunal |
| Annual return | 25 | Form II | By the 15th day of February each year | Registrar |
Other trade union rules: funds are deposited in a scheduled bank in the union's name, with 2% of the total funds kept at the disposal of the executive members named in the proviso for routine exigencies (rule 9(1)); the annual audit is by an auditor authorised to audit company accounts, and the auditor signs the declaration in Form II (rule 9(2) and (3)). A union in existence for more than one year before applying delivers its assets and liabilities statement in Schedule III of Form III (rule 11). Communications to a registered union are sent electronically, by registered post, speed post or manually under receipt, and changes in registration particulars are notified the same way (rules 16 and 17). Rule 19 lists the objects on which general funds may be spent, rule 20 allows a separate political fund that no member can be compelled to join, rule 23 allows amalgamation if at least one half of the members entitled to vote record votes and at least sixty per cent of votes recorded are in favour, and rule 24 divides the funds of a dissolved union in proportion to members' subscriptions.
Recognition of the negotiating union (rule 18)
Rule 18(1) lists the matters for negotiation, including classification of workers, hours and pay-days, shift working, leave, termination, and misconduct. Where only one registered union functions, the employer recognises it as the sole negotiating union if it has fifty-one per cent or more of the establishment's workers as members, as verified by a committee of equal numbers from management and the registered unions (rule 18(2)). Where several unions function, the union with fifty-one per cent or more of the muster roll is recognised; if none has it, the employer constitutes a negotiating council of representatives of unions supported by not less than twenty per cent of the workers, one representative for each twenty per cent (rule 18(3)). The establishment provides office accommodation to a negotiating union or council and may declare its executive members protected workers (rule 18(4)).
Chapter IV: standing orders (rules 26 to 35)
| Step | Rule | Period or detail as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt the Central model standing orders: intimate the certifying officer electronically of the adoption date | 26(1) | Electronic intimation |
| Certifying officer's observation | 26(2) | Within thirty days; employer amends within thirty days of direction |
| No observation | 26(3) | Standing order deemed adopted after thirty days |
| Workers' objections where no union | 27 | Meeting to choose three representatives; objections within fifteen days of notice |
| Authentication of certified orders | 28 | Sent electronically within a week |
| Appeal against certifying officer's order | 31 | Memorandum within sixty days; appellate order within sixty days of filing |
| Language of standing orders | 32(2) | Hindi, English or Malayalam |
| Copy of certified order | 33(2) | Two rupees per page |
| Exempt establishments | 35 | Fewer than 500 workers on any day of the preceding twelve months |
Rule 29 prescribes the statement that goes with draft standing orders (establishment particulars, strength of workers and the unions they belong to) and with a draft modification (a tabular statement of each provision in force, the proposed change and reasons, signed by an authorised person). Similar establishments may submit a joint draft after consulting the union (rule 30). An application to modify certified standing orders is made electronically with the same tabular statement and details of the unions (rule 34).
A worked example
A shipping agency in Kavaratti has 520 workers and one registered union with 270 members on the muster roll. Verified by a committee of equal numbers from management and the union, the union has more than fifty-one per cent and is recognised as the sole negotiating union. The agency adopts the Central model standing orders and intimates the certifying officer electronically; if the officer makes no observation within thirty days, the orders are deemed adopted. With fewer than 500 workers the chapter would not apply at all.
Common lapses
- Constituting a Works Committee with more employer than worker representatives.
- Not asking the union in writing for its membership before choosing worker members.
- Keeping standing orders in a language other than Hindi, English or Malayalam.
- A union missing the 15 February annual return in Form II.
Need help with industrial relations compliance in Lakshadweep?
If you need the committees, the recognition process and the standing orders set up or reviewed, our employment and labour law advisory service can map the Lakshadweep rules to your establishment and prepare the statements and drafts.
Key takeaways
- Rules notified 25 March 2026; they commence "on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette".
- Works Committee: up to twenty members, workers not fewer than employer representatives, three-year term.
- Grievance Redressal Committee: equal sides, not exceeding ten, one-year limit to raise a grievance.
- Union registration: Form III with a fee of rupees 100/-, annual return in Form II by 15 February.
- Sole negotiating union at fifty-one per cent; negotiating council from twenty per cent unions.
- Standing orders chapter: not for establishments with fewer than 500 workers.
Read next
- Industrial Relations (Lakshadweep) Rules, 2025: disputes, strike, lay-off, retrenchment, closure and compounding
- Code on Wages (Lakshadweep) Rules, 2025: the notification, minimum wages, working hours and weekly rest
- Rule 9 of the Central Industrial Relations rules: recognition of negotiating union or council
- State rules under the four Labour Codes: which States have notified final rules
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.