Rules 105 and 106 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.
Rule 105 says the agreement between a producer and an audio-visual worker is registered in Form XXIV. Rule 106 says disputes go to a conciliation officer or tribunal under the procedure in the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and the rules made under it.
Rule 105: the agreement for the audio-visual worker with the producer shall be registered in FORM-XXIV. Rule 106: the procedure for reference of a dispute to a conciliation officer or a tribunal is as prescribed in the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (35 of 2020) and rules made thereunder. Under section 66 of the Code, no person can be employed as an audio-visual worker for a production unless a written agreement is made and registered with the competent authority by the producer.
The Code provision behind the rules
Section 66 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (the OSH Code) says no person shall be employed as an audio-visual worker in or in connection with production of an audio-visual programme unless (a) an agreement in writing is entered into with the person by the producer, or by the producer with the contractor where the person is employed through a contractor, or by the contractor or other person through whom the person is employed; and (b) the agreement is registered with the competent authority, notified by the appropriate Government, by the producer. See our section 66 explainer.
The agreement must be in the prescribed form (s.66(2)(a)), specify the worker's name and prescribed particulars, and, where the worker is employed through a contractor, include a condition that the producer is also liable for the contractor's failure to pay wages or discharge other obligations, with a right of reimbursement from the contractor (s.66(2)(c)). A copy goes to the prescribed authority if the worker is covered by provident fund law (s.66(3)). Section 66(4) says the agreement shall include nature of assignment; wages and other benefits (including provident fund, if covered); health and working conditions; safety; hours of work; welfare facilities; and a dispute resolution process or mechanism. Wages are paid through electronic mode.
The Central Rules apply where the Central Government is the appropriate Government. Where the State Government is the appropriate Government, the State's own rules apply. For productions that cross jurisdictions, an employment and labour law advisory review can confirm the regime.
Rule 105: agreement registered in Form XXIV
Rule 105 has one sentence: the agreement for the audio-visual worker with the producer "shall be registered in FORM-XXIV".
What Form XXIV contains
The form is titled "Agreement between Producer and Audio-visual worker". As printed, it carries thirteen clauses, including:
| Clause | Subject |
|---|---|
| 1 | Duration: from the date of the agreement until completion of the production, not exceeding a stated number of consecutive months |
| 2 | Attendance at studio, location or workplace on written intimation by the producer |
| 3 | Consideration: a stated sum, with an advance on signing and the balance in equal instalments |
| 4 | Additional pro-rata remuneration if production overruns |
| 5 | Settlement of balance in full if the assignment ends early, before re-recording work or censor of the production, whichever is earlier |
| 6 | Early attendance for preparatory work and work beyond the working day (with a one hour break), with extra wages at stated rates, refreshments and transport facilities |
| 7 and 8 | Transport and food or travelling allowances; travel, accommodation and food on outdoor location work |
| 9 | Producer to insure the worker against injury or damage, including death, by accident arising out of or in the course of employment |
| 10 | Suspension or termination where production is prevented by fire, riot, natural calamity, order of a public authority or other cause beyond control, with notice and payment of dues |
| 11 | Early termination by the producer other than for misconduct only on payment of the balance of the stipulated amount |
| 12 | Termination for misconduct only after charges are proved before a forum of equal numbers of representatives of the producers' and audio-visual workers' organisations, whose decision binds both parties |
| 13 | On premature termination, the producer's option whether to retain the worker's work in the production and the worker's option whether to allow the name in the credit titles |
The form text printed in the file is long; this table summarises it. The blanks (sums, rates, months) are for the parties to fill. The text we reviewed does not state a registration fee, a time limit for registration, or the name of the competent authority; the Code leaves the authority to be notified by the appropriate Government. The text is silent on those points.
How the Code and the form fit
Section 66(4) requires the agreement to include nature of assignment, wages and benefits, health and working conditions, safety, hours of work, welfare facilities and a dispute resolution process. Form XXIV carries most of these in its clauses (duration, pay, hours and extra work, travel, insurance, termination, forum for misconduct). Where the worker is employed through a contractor, section 66(2)(c) requires a specific condition making the producer liable if the contractor defaults on wages; Form XXIV as printed is an agreement between the producer and the worker. The text does not say how the contractor's variants of the agreement are to be adapted; take advice where a contractor is involved.
Rule 106: reference of disputes
Rule 106 says the procedure for reference of a dispute to a conciliation officer or a tribunal "shall be as per the procedure prescribed in the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (35 of 2020) and rules made thereunder".
| Point | Reading |
|---|---|
| Procedure | That of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and its rules |
| What the OSH Rules add | Nothing new; they point across |
| Code link | Section 66(4)'s proviso: where the dispute resolution mechanism fails, either party may invoke the Industrial Tribunal established by the appropriate Government, and the dispute is deemed an industrial dispute |
| Not stated | Time limits, forms, fees; those are for the Industrial Relations Code and its rules |
The Code's proviso to section 66(4) refers to the Industrial Tribunal "established by the appropriate Government under section 7A of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947", as written in the enacted text. Rule 106 sends the procedure to the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. Read the proviso as written and look to the Industrial Relations Code for the current procedure; this article does not detail that Code.
If a dispute is brewing on a production, our legal dispute resolution team can help with the reference and representation.
Practical examples
Example 1. A production house engages a sound technician for a six month shoot. Before the technician starts work, the producer signs Form XXIV with the technician and registers the agreement with the competent authority.
Example 2. A hair and make-up artist is engaged through a contractor. The agreement must include the producer's liability if the contractor fails to pay, as section 66(2)(c) requires. The producer can recover from the contractor.
Example 3. An audio-visual worker is terminated for alleged misconduct without a hearing. The worker raises the matter. Under clause 12 of Form XXIV, termination for misconduct requires proof of charges before a forum of equal producer and worker organisation representatives, and the matter may be taken further under the dispute process and the Industrial Relations Code route in rule 106.
Compliance checklist
- Written agreement in Form XXIV before the worker starts.
- Registration with the competent authority notified by the appropriate Government.
- Copy to the prescribed authority where provident fund applies.
- Wages paid electronically.
- Insurance cover as per the form.
- Know the dispute route: internal mechanism, then Industrial Relations Code procedure.
Need help with audio-visual worker agreements?
Agreements, registration and dispute routes need to be right before a shoot starts, not after. Our team can help you review the paperwork across productions and contractors. Start with our employment and labour law advisory service.
Key takeaways
- Rule 105: the producer's agreement with an audio-visual worker is registered in FORM-XXIV.
- Section 66 requires a written agreement and registration by the producer with the competent authority before employment.
- Rule 106: disputes follow the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 procedure for reference to a conciliation officer or tribunal.
- Form XXIV covers pay, hours, travel, insurance, termination and a misconduct forum.
- The text is silent on registration fee, time limit and the competent authority's name.
- State rules apply where the State is the appropriate Government.
Read next
- Section 66 of the OSH Code: employment of audio-visual workers
- Rules 103 and 104: helpline number and study of inter-State migrant workers
- Rule 107: qualification and appointment of manager in mines
- Contract labour under the new labour codes: what will change
Disclaimer: Based on the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 345(E), 8 May 2026), as on 30 September 2026. The Code is in force from 21 November 2025; some provisions may be notified later, and State Governments make their own rules for establishments where the State is the appropriate Government. Verify the current position before acting.