Section 4 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 read with Rules 6, 7 & 8 of the Industrial Relations (Central) Rules
Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC)
Section 4 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 read with Rules 6, 7 & 8 of the Industrial Relations (Central) Rules
Overview
Section 4 – Statutory Provisions
| Section/Sub-section | Provision | Compliance Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Sec. 4(1) | Constitution of one or more GRCs in establishments employing 20 or more workers. | Mandatory constitution of GRC. |
| Sec. 4(2) | Equal representation of employer and workers. | Maintain parity in representation. |
| Sec. 4(3) | Chairperson shall rotate annually. | Annual rotation required. |
| Sec. 4(4) | Maximum 10 members with adequate women representation. | Women representation not less than workforce proportion. |
| Sec. 4(5) | Worker may file grievance within one year. | Maintain grievance filing mechanism. |
| Sec. 4(6) | Proceedings to be completed within 30 days. | Time-bound disposal. |
| Sec. 4(7) | Decision by majority and supported by more than half worker representatives. | Otherwise deemed no decision. |
| Sec. 4(8) | Worker may approach Conciliation Officer through Trade Union. | Escalation within 60 days. |
| Sec. 4(9) | Termination-related disputes deemed industrial disputes. | No collective support required. |
| Sec. 4(10) | Direct Tribunal application after 45 days. | Direct adjudication permitted. |
| Sec. 4(11) | Tribunal application within 2 years. | Limitation period applies. |
Rule 6 – Constitution of Grievance Redressal Committee
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Rule 6(1) | Equal employer and worker representatives; maximum 10 members. |
| Rule 6(2) | Employer representatives nominated by employer. |
| Rule 6(3)(a) | Negotiating Union nominates worker representatives. |
| Rule 6(3)(b) | Negotiating Council representation proportional to membership. |
| Rule 6(3)(c) | Workers elect representatives where no Negotiating Union/Council exists. |
| Proviso | Electronic voting or selection platform permitted. |
| Women Representation | Not less than proportion of women workers. |
| Rule 6(4) | Member tenure – 3 years. |
| Rule 6(5) | Disputes referred to Regional Labour Commissioner (Central). |
Rule 7 – Filing of Grievance
Information Required- Name of Worker
- Designation
- Worker Code / Token Number
- Department
- Length of Service
- Category of Worker
- Correspondence Address
- Contact Number
- Details of Grievance
- Relief Sought
Modes of Submission
- Physical Submission
- Electronic Submission
- Online Filing
Time Limit
Within 1 year from occurrence of cause of action.
Rule 8 – Application to Conciliation Officer
A worker may approach the Conciliation Officer where:
- Worker is dissatisfied with GRC decision; or
- GRC fails to resolve grievance within 30 days.
Time Limit
- Within 60 days from GRC decision; or
- Within 60 days from expiry of 30-day disposal period.
Modes of Filing
- Online through Labour Ministry Portal
- Speed Post
- Personal Submission
- Through Trade Union
Additional Requirement
- Physical applications must be digitized.
- Entered into online system.
- Trade Union and worker must be informed.
Employer Compliance Checklist
20 or more workers
Maximum 10 members
Equal employer and worker members
Not less than workforce proportion
Annual
3 years
Within 30 days
Within 1 year
Within 60 days
After 45 days of conciliation application
Within 2 years from termination
Records to be Maintained
- GRC Constitution Order
- Member Nomination/Election Records
- Attendance Register of Meetings
- Grievance Register
- Disposal Orders
- Worker Communication Records
- Annual Women Representation Review
- Conciliation Escalation Records
- Minutes of Meetings
- Chairperson Rotation Records
GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL COMMITTEE POLICY
Section 4 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 Read with Rules 6, 7 & 8 of the Industrial Relations (Central) Rules
1. Objective
The Company is committed to maintaining harmonious employer-worker relations and providing an effective mechanism for resolving individual employee grievances. In compliance with Section 4 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, a Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) shall be constituted to address and resolve workplace grievances in a fair, transparent and time-bound manner.
2. Applicability
This policy applies to all workers employed in the establishment. Every industrial establishment employing twenty (20) or more workers shall constitute one or more Grievance Redressal Committees.
3. Constitution of Grievance Redressal Committee
- The Committee shall consist of equal representatives of Employer and Workers.
- Total membership shall not exceed ten members.
- Employer representatives shall be nominated by Management.
- Worker representatives shall be nominated/elected as per applicable provisions of the Industrial Relations Code.
- Adequate representation shall be provided to women workers.
- Women representation shall not be less than the proportion of women workers employed.
- The Chairperson shall rotate annually between Employer and Worker representatives.
- The tenure of members shall be three years.
4. Functions of the Committee
- Receive and examine grievances.
- Conduct hearings and investigations.
- Facilitate amicable resolution.
- Recommend corrective actions.
- Maintain records and minutes.
- Dispose of grievances within statutory timelines.
5. Filing of Grievance
Any aggrieved worker may submit a grievance within one year from the date on which the cause of action arose. Applications may be submitted physically, through email or electronically.
| Information Required | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of Worker | Mandatory |
| Employee Code / Token No. | Mandatory |
| Designation | Mandatory |
| Department | Mandatory |
| Length of Service | Mandatory |
| Category of Worker | Mandatory |
| Address & Contact Details | Mandatory |
| Nature of Grievance | Mandatory |
| Relief Sought | Mandatory |
6. Disposal of Grievance
- The Committee shall complete proceedings within 30 days from receipt of application.
- Decisions shall be taken by majority view.
- More than half of worker representatives must support the decision.
- Where consensus is not achieved, it shall be deemed that no decision has been arrived at.
- The decision shall be communicated in writing.
7. Appeal & Escalation
Where a worker is dissatisfied with the Committee's decision or where the grievance remains unresolved within thirty days, the worker may approach the Conciliation Officer through the Trade Union within sixty days.
8. Industrial Disputes Relating to Termination
Any dispute arising out of discharge, dismissal, retrenchment or termination of service shall be deemed an industrial dispute even if no Trade Union or other worker is a party to the dispute.
9. Direct Reference to Tribunal
A worker may directly approach the Industrial Tribunal after expiry of forty-five days from the date of filing the application before the Conciliation Officer. Such application must be filed within two years from the date of discharge, dismissal, retrenchment or termination.
10. Records to be Maintained
| Sr. No. | Record |
|---|---|
| 1 | GRC Constitution Order |
| 2 | Member Nomination / Election Records |
| 3 | Grievance Register |
| 4 | Meeting Notices |
| 5 | Attendance Records |
| 6 | Minutes of Meetings |
| 7 | Decision Orders |
| 8 | Communication Records |
| 9 | Escalation Records |
Annexure-A : Grievance Application Form
GRIEVANCE APPLICATION FORM
_________________