Labour Commissioner Jammu & Kashmir, Charandeep Singh chaired an interactive meeting with the representatives of trade unions of the Jammu division at Shram Bhawan, here today.
The meeting focused on addressing the concerns of trade unions, gathering feedback for strengthening the institution, enhancing labour welfare initiatives and emphasis on compliances.
During the meeting, the trade union representatives projected their issues and sought the intervention of the Labour Commissioner for redressal of the same. The interactive session provided a platform for constructive dialogue between the authorities and union representatives.
Taking a firm stance on inactive trade unions, the Labour Commissioner emphasized that registration of non-compliant unions, including those failing to submit Annual Returns, would be cancelled, and notices would be issued to such entities. He urged all trade unions to maintain proper records, adhere strictly to their by-laws, protect the rights of their union members, and conduct timely elections under intimation to the Labour Department. These measures aim to make trade unions more structured and efficient.
As the Registrar of Trade Unions in J&K under the Trade Unions Act, 1926, the Labour Commissioner highlighted the legal requirement for trade unions to submit their Annual Returns under Section 28 of the Act. He reiterated that these returns for a calendar year 1st Jan to 31st December must be submitted to the Registrar by the 31st day July in each year in Form D. Ensuring compliance with this provision is essential for maintaining transparency, accountability, and the legal standing of trade unions.
Some representatives of trade unions raised concerns about hardships faced while submitting online Annual Returns on the Single Window JK platform. The Labour Commissioner assured them that their genuine issues would be addressed, and workshop sessions would be conducted to enhance their awareness of online services.
The trade union representatives expressed their gratitude to the Labour Commissioner for organizing this first-of-its-kind interactive session, which provided them with an opportunity to voice their concerns and collaborate for the betterment of labour welfare in Jammu & Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Labour Commissioner Jammu, Assistant Labour Commissioner Central, ALC Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Ramban, Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur, Reasi, and representatives of the following unions: Taxi Operators Union, Railway Station Jammu; The Citizen Co-operative Bank Subordinate Staff Association, Jammu; Jammu Medical Representative Association, Jammu; ASCOMS Employees Welfare Association, Jammu; Halwai Workers Welfare Union, Jammu; Photographers Workers Welfare Union, Jammu; Nirman Mazdoor Union, Jammu; All Joint Masons Carpenters Plumbers Painters and Welders Union, Tehsil Banihal Ramban; Taxi Shikara Boat Owner Union, Sanasar Ramban; Bhawan Nirman Kamgar Union, Kathua; Construction Workers and Labour Union, Kishtwar; Sumo Van and Taxi Operators Association, Katra Reasi; Unorganised Construction & Other Allied Workers Union, Reasi; Border Road Casual Paid Workers Union J&K, Kathua.