Rules 6 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.
Rules 6 to 8 give the working detail of the grievance route in section 4 of the Code. Rule 6 sets out who sits on the Grievance Redressal Committee and for how long. Rule 7 says what a worker's application must contain and when it must be filed. Rule 8 says how a worker who is dissatisfied, or whose grievance is not resolved in time, goes to the conciliation officer.
In an establishment with twenty or more workers, the Committee has an equal number of employer and worker members, not more than ten in all, for a three-year term (rule 6(1), (4)). Women must be represented at least in proportion to their share of the workforce where workers choose their own representatives (rule 6(3)). A worker files a written application within one year of the cause of action, electronically or otherwise (rule 7). If the Committee decides against the worker, or does not resolve the grievance within thirty days, the worker may apply to the conciliation officer within sixty days, through the trade union of which he is a member (rule 8).
Rules 6, 7 and 8 at a glance
| Rule | Subject | Key figure |
|---|---|---|
| 6(1) | Size: equal employer and worker members | Establishments with 20 or more workers; not more than 10 members |
| 6(2) | Employer's members | Nominated; preferably heads of major departments |
| 6(3) | Workers' members | Negotiating union, council in proportion, or workers' choice; women's share |
| 6(4) | Term | Three years |
| 6(5) | Dispute over choosing workers' members | Regional Labour Commissioner (Central), final |
| 7 | Application to the Committee | Within one year of the cause of action |
| 8 | Application to the conciliation officer | Within 60 days; grievance unresolved after 30 days |
Rule 6: the Committee
Size and employer's side
Rule 6(1): the Committee in an establishment "employing twenty or more workers" consists of "equal number of members representing the employer and workers, which shall not exceed ten members". Employer's representatives are nominated by the employer and, as far as possible, are officials in direct touch with the establishment's working, "preferably the heads of major departments" (6(2)). For the Code's own provisions, see section 4.
Workers' side
Under rule 6(3), workers' members are chosen as follows:
| Situation | Method |
|---|---|
| Negotiating union under s.14(2) or (3) | The negotiating union nominates them |
| Negotiating council under s.14(4) | Each registered union in the council is nominated in proportion to its members in the establishment |
| Neither | Workers choose among themselves |
Two provisos: the employer may use an electronic platform for the choice, and "there shall be adequate representation of women workers in the Grievance Committee and such representation shall not be less than the proportion of women workers to the total workers". See section 14 for the negotiating bodies.
Term and disputes
The members' term is three years (6(4)). Where there is no recognised negotiating union or council and a dispute arises about choosing workers' members, it may be referred to the Regional Labour Commissioner (Central), who hears the parties; his decision is final (6(5)).
Rule 7: the worker's application
A worker "may file an application stating his grievance before the Grievance Committee". The application has to give:
- name and designation;
- worker code or token number;
- department where posted;
- length of service in years;
- category of worker;
- address for correspondence and contact number;
- details of the grievance; and
- the relief sought.
It may be sent "electronically or otherwise" (7(2)), and "shall be filed within one year from the date on which the cause of action arose" (7(3)). A worker who holds all these particulars ready can file correctly first time. If you are setting up the grievance process for your establishment, our employment and labour law advisory team can help draft the application format and the intake record.
Rule 8: going to the conciliation officer
Rule 8 applies to "any worker aggrieved by the decision of the Grievance Committee or whose grievance is not resolved by the said Committee within thirty days of receipt of the application". Such a worker may file an application:
- how: online on the designated portal of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, or by speed post, or in person;
- when: within sixty days from the date of the Grievance Committee's decision, or from the date on which the period in s.4(6) of the Code expires, as the case may be;
- to whom and through whom: to the conciliation officer "through the Trade Union, of which he is a member".
The proviso deals with paper filing: where the application is received by speed post or in person, "the conciliation officer shall get the same digitized and enter the particulars of the application in the online mechanism under intimation to the Trade Union and worker".
Two readings follow from the wording. The rule speaks of a worker who is a member of a Trade Union, since the application goes "through" the union. The text does not say what happens for a worker who is not a union member, so read the Code's section 4 and the State or Central position before advising such a worker. The sixty days can run either from the decision or from the expiry of the period in s.4(6), whichever event applies.
Time limits together
| Step | Time limit |
|---|---|
| Worker's application to the Grievance Committee | One year from the cause of action (rule 7(3)) |
| Committee to resolve | Thirty days from receipt (rule 8) |
| Worker to the conciliation officer | Sixty days from the decision or from the s.4(6) period expiring (rule 8) |
Practical example
Example (invented). A worker in a 250-strong establishment is denied a promotion on 10 January. He files a written application with the Committee on 20 February, with his worker code, department, service years, details and the relief he wants. The Committee does not resolve it within thirty days of receipt. The worker, a union member, files an application to the conciliation officer on the portal through his union within sixty days of the period in s.4(6) expiring. If he misses sixty days, the rule gives no extension on its face.
This applies to Central-sphere establishments. Where the State Government is the appropriate Government, the State's own rules apply.
Need help setting up or using the grievance route?
Employers need a properly constituted Committee and a clean intake record. Workers and unions need to meet the one-year and sixty-day limits. Our employment and labour law advisory team can help either side.
Key takeaways
- The Committee has equal employer and worker members, at most ten, where there are twenty or more workers.
- Term is three years; women's representation must be at least proportional to their share.
- Application to the Committee: in writing, with listed particulars, within one year.
- Committee has thirty days; the worker then has sixty days to go to the conciliation officer.
- The application to the conciliation officer goes through the worker's Trade Union.
- Disputes on choosing workers' members go to the Regional Labour Commissioner (Central).
Read next
- Section 4: Grievance Redressal Committee
- Rule 9: recognition of negotiating union or council
- Rule 5(14)-(21): Works Committee term, meetings and working
- Section 14: negotiating union and negotiating council
Disclaimer: Based on the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 342(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.