THE KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS' PAYMENT OF FAIR WAGES ACT 1971

THE KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS’ PAYMENT OF FAIR WAGES ACT 1971 1 (Act 23 of 1971) An Act to provide for payment of fair rates of wages for motor transport workers in the State of Kerala and for matters incidental thereto Preamble.-WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for payment of fair rates of wages for motor transport workers in the State of Kerala and for matters incidental thereto ; BE it enacted in the Twenty Second Year of the Republic of India as follows:- 1. Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the Kerala Motor Transport Workers’ Payment of Fair Wages Act, 1971. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Kerala. (3) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the first day of April, 1969. 2. Definitions.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,- (a) “employer” means in relation to any motor transport undertaking, the person who or the authority which, has the ultimate control over the affairs of the motor transport undertaking, and where the said affairs are entrusted to any other person whether called a manager, managing director, managing agent or by any other name, such other person ; (b) “motor transport undertaking” means a motor transport undertaking including a private carrier engaged in carrying passengers or goods or both by road for hire or reward ; (c) “motor transport worker” means a person who is employed in a motor transport undertaking directly or through an agency, whether for wages or not, to work in a professional capacity on a transport vehicle or to attend to duties in connection with the arrival, departure, loading or unloading of such transport vehicle and includes a driver, conductor, cleaner, station staff, line checking staff, booking clerk; cash clerk, depot clerk, time keeper, watchman, or attendant ; (d) “fair wages” means the rate of wages payable to the motor transport workers specified in the Schedule to this Act or the agreed rate of wages whichever is higher. 3. Fair wages payable to motor transport workers.- Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, rule, order or notification having the force of law or contract, every employer shall pay to any motor transport worker under his employment fair wages in respect of his employment, or the work done in such employment: Provided that the arrears of fair wages payable by an employer for any period prior to the date of publication of this Act in the Gazette shall be paid before the expiry of six months after the date of such publication in not mere than six monthly instalments. 2 [“Provided further that the arrears of fair wages payable by an employer by virtue of the Kerala Motor Transport Workers’ Payment of Fair Wages (Amendment) Act, 1988 for any period prior to the date of publication of the said Act shall be paid before the expiry of three months after the date of such publication, in not more than three monthly instalments.”] 4. Penalty for non-payment of fair wages.- Any employer who refuses to pay fair wages as provided in this Act to any motor transport worker without reasonable cause shall, on conviction be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees or with both. 5. Application by motor transport workers not included in the schedule.- (1) Any motor transport worker may within a period of one month from the date of publication of this Act in the Gazette, make an application to the Labour Commissioner that he has not been included in a category of the schedule (2) On receipt of such an application the Labour Commissioner may, after hearing the applicant and the employer and making such enquiries as he may consider necessary pass orders deciding the category in which the applicant is to be included. (3) Against the orders of the Labour Commissioner an appeal shall lie to the Government. The appeal shall be filed within one month of the date of receipt of the orders of the Labour Commissioner. 6. Cognizance of offences.- (1) No court shall take cognizance of an offence under this Act save on complaint made by such authority as the Government may, by notification in the Gazette, specify. (2) No court inferior to that of a Magistrate of the First Class shall try any offence under this Act. 3 [“6A. Power of Government to amend the Schedule.- (1) The Government may at any time and shall, at the expiration of five years from the 15 th day of January, 1997 and thereafter at the expiration of every five years, by order published in the Gazette revise the rate of wages payable to the motor transport workers specified in the Schedule to this Act by suitably amending the Schedule. (2) Every notification made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before the Legislative Assembly while it is in session for a total period of fourteen days which may be comprised in one session or in two successive sessions and if before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately following, the Legislative Assembly makes any modification in the notification or decides that the notification shall not be made, the notification shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so however that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that notification.”] 7. Saving of other laws.-The provisions contained in this Act shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of the provisions contained in the Payment of wages Act, 1936 (Central Act 4 of 1936), the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (Central Act 11 of 1948), the Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961 (Central Act 27 of 1961) and the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947 (Central Act 14 of 1947). 8. Repeal and Saving.-(1) The Kerala Motor Transport Workers’ Payment of Fair Wages Ordinance, 1971 (8 of 1971) is hereby repealed. (2) Notwithstanding such repeal anything done or any action taken or any proceeding instituted under the said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done or taken or instituted under this 4 [ “SCHEDULE A Category of Employees Pay Scale I 1475-10-1525-15-1600-20-1700-25-1825 II 1500-15-1575-20-1675-25-1800-30-1950 III A 1525-20-1625-25-1750-30-1900-35-2075 III B 1550-20-1650-25-1775-30-1925-35-2100 IV 1575-25-1700-30-1850-35-2025-40-2225 V 1600-30-1750-35-1925-40-2125-45-2350 Class of Employers I (Employers owning 25 or less than 25 Vehicles) VI 1625-35-1800-40-2000-45-2225-50-2475 I 1475-10-1525-15-1600-20-1700-25-1825 II 1500-15-1575-20-1675-25-1800-30-1950 III A 1525-20-1625-25-1750-30-1900-35-2075 III B 1550-20-1650-25-1775-30-1925-35-2100 IV 1575-25-1700-30-1850-35-2025-40-2225 V 1615-30-1765-35-1940-40-2140-45-2365 Class of Employers II (Employers owning 26 or more Vehicles) VI 1640-35-1815-40-2015-45-2240-50-2490 Rules for fixation of Pay.-(1) The initial pay of a motor transport worker shall be fixed in the revised scale by adding the following, namely:- (a) the basic pay in the existing scale, (b) an amount of Rs.750 equivalent to dearness Allowance point between 500 and 1000, and (c) an amount equal to 10% of the total amount mentioned in items (a) and (b) (2) The pay shall be fixed in the revised scale on the basis of the amount computed under sub-rule (1) if the same is a stage in the revised scale and, if not, at the stage next above the amount so computed. (3) Every motor transport worker who has put in more than 5 years of service on or before 15 th day of January, 1997 shall be paid one increment in the revised scale as weightage on completion of every five years of service. The pay of such worker shall be fixed in revised scale after adding the weightage in the pay fixed under sub-rule (2) (4) For the purposes of these rules, (a) “existing scale” means the scale mentioned in the Schedule immediately prior to 15 th day of January 1997. (b) “revised scale” means the scale substituted in the Schedule by the Kerala Motor Transport Worker’s Payment of Fair Wages (Amendment) Act, 1977. Note: I. Dearness allowance:- The Dearness Allowances shall be paid on the basis of the All India Average Consumer Index Number published by Labour Bureau, Simla for the half years beginning from January to June and July to December every year at the rate of rupees 2 per mensem for every point above 1000 points. The amount of Dearness Allowance for January to June and July to December has to be calculated and paid in September and March respectively. II. House Rent Allowance.-Every worker shall be paid House Rent allowance, at the rate of rupees 30 per mensem. III. Grade.- Every worker who has ten years continuous service in a post without any promotion shall be granted higher grade in the scale of pay of the immediate higher post. IV. Washing Allowance.- Every worker shall be paid Washing Allowance at the rate of rupees 10 per mensem.”] SCHEDULE B CLASSIFICATION OF WORKERS Category I – Unskilled 1 Cleaner 12 Peon 2 Helper 13 Khalasi 3 Loadman 14 Liftman 4 Porter 15 Gust Room attendant 5 RampAttendant 16 Sanitary Worker 6 Attendant/Attender 17 Roneo duplicator/Duplicating Operator 7 Mazdoor 18 Sorter 8 Hammerman 19 Record Supplier 9 Packer 20 Daftry 10 Sweeper 21 Adrema Operator 22 Nursing Orderly 11 Watchman/Chowkidar/Gate Keeper/Sepoy/Armed Guard 5[“23 Backdoor Conductor or Assistant Conductor”] Category II – Semi -skilled 1 Conductor 22 Telephone Operator 2 Booking, Delivery and other clerks in Goods Transport 23 Compounder/Dresser 3 Load Reporter 24 Storeman 4 Time-keeper (working at places other than workshop depots and offices) 25 Store Assistant 6[5 ***************] 26 Tracer [6 ***************] 27 Assistant Draughtsman [7 ***************] 28 Telephone Assistant [8 ***************] 29 Assistant Cashier [9 ***************] 30 Steno-typist [10 ***************] 31 Assistant Store-keeper [11 ***************] 32 Gardener [12 ***************] 33 Watch and Ward Inspector [13 ***************] 34 Record Assistant [14 ***************] 35 Salesman 15 Assistant Liner 36 Shroff 16 Assistant Binder 37 Security Havildar 17 Assistant Compositor 38 Assistant Fire Warder 18 Stitching man 39 Record Keeper-cum- Librarian 19 Cutting man 40 Inquiry Clerk 20 Junior Clerk 41 Estimator 42 Work Assistant 21 Typist 43 Blue Printer Category III - Skilled -A 1 Checking Supervisor 14 Receptionist 2 Planning Inspector 15 Binder 3 Checking Inspector 16 Fire Warden 4 Time-keeper in workshop offices and deposits 7 [“17 Assistant Fitter 5 Senior clerk 18 Assistant Tyre-man 6 Stenographer 19 Assistant Electrician 7 Store-keeper 20 Assistant Carpenter 8 Advertisement assistant 21 Assistant Backsmith 9 Art executive 22 Assistant Welder 10 Purchase assistant 23 Assistant Turner 11 Store Verifier 24 Assistant Greaser 12 Draughtsman 25 Assistant Battery-man 13 Statistical Clerk 26 Assistant Painter.”] Category III - Skilled – B 1 Driver 17 Tinsmith 2 Technical Inspector 18 Assistant Mechanic 3 Route Inspector 19 Plumber 4 Tyre Examiner 20 Tinker 5 Crane Operator 21 Liner 6 Driving Inspector 22 Boilerman 7 Fitter 23 Machinist 8 Electrician 24 Pumb tender 9 Carpenter 25 Vulcaniser 10 Blacksmith 26 Assistant Electric Supervisor 11 Welder 27 Overseer 12 Turner 28 Nurse 13 Tyreman 29 Comptist 14 Greaser 30 Cashier 15 Batteryman 31 Junior Assistant 16 Painter 32 Junior Accountant Category IV – Skilled 1 Traffic Supervisor 8 Head Clerk 8 [2 *******************] 9 Statistical Superintendent 3 Electric Vulcanicer 10 Legal assistant 4 Head Painter 11 Confidential Secretary to Chairman 5 Head Spray Painter 12 Chief Store Keeper 9[6 *******************] 13 Audit Assistant 7 Electric Supervisor 14 Head Drughtsman Category V – Junior Supervisory 1 Superintendent of Training 9 Inspection and Claim Officer 2 Public Complaint Officer 10 Medical Officer 3 Deputy Superintendent of Operation 11 Junior Accounts Officer 4 Assistant Foreman 12 Advertisement Officer 5 Assistant Works Superintendent 13 Accident Officer 6 Store Supervisor 14 Auditor 7 Purchase Supervisor 10[“15 Mechanic/Head Mechanic 8 Technical supervisor 16 Chief Mechanic”] Category VI – Senior Supervisory 1 Depot Manager 8 Office Superintendent 2 Superintendent of Operation 9 Superintendent workshop/Legal Assistant 3 Traffic Superintendent 10 Supervisor Establishment/Statistic/Labour 4 Foreman 11 Statistical Officer 5 Accountants 12 Administrative and Personnel Officer 6 Inspector of Accounts 13 Technical Officer 7 Internal Auditor 14 Assistant Manager THE KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS' PAYMENT OF FAIR WAGES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1988 [1] (ACT 19 OF 1988) An Act to amend the Kerala Motor Transport Workers' Payment of FairWages Act, 1971. Preamble. — whereas it is expedient to amend the Kerala Motor Tran sport Workers' Payment of Fair Wages Act, 1971 for the purposes here inafter appearing; BE it enacted in the Thirty-ninth Year of the Republic of India as follows : — 1. Short title and commencement.— (1) This Act may be called the Kerala Motor Transport Workers' Payment of Fair Wages (Amendment) Act, 1988 . ( 2) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 1st day of April, 1987. 2. Amendment of section 3. — In the Kerala Motor Transport Wo rkers' Payment of Fair Wages Act, 1971 (23 of 1971) (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), in section 3, after the proviso the follow ing proviso shall be inserted, namely: — “Provided further that the arrears of fair wages payable by an employer by virtue of the Kerala Motor Transport Workers' Payment of Fair Wages (Amendment) Act, 1988 for any period prior to the date of publication of the said Act shall be paid before the expiry of three months after the date of such publication, in not more than three monthly instalments.” 3 . Substitution of Schedule A.— In the principal Act, for Schedule A, the following Schedule shall be substituted, namely : — “SCHEDULE A Category of Employees Pay Scale (Rs.) Class of Employers I (Employers owning 25 or less than 25 vehicles) I 600-8-640-10-690-12-750 II 620-10-670-12-730-15-805 IIIA 635-12-695-15-770-18-860 IIIB 655-15-730-18-820-21-925 IV 670-15-745-18-835-21-940 V 690-17-775-20-875-23-990 VI 710-18-800-21-905-25- 1030 SCHEDULE A- (cont) Category of Employees Pay Scale (Rs.) Class of Employers II (Employers owning 26 or more vehicles) I 600-8-640-10-690-12-750 II 620-10-670-12-730-15-805 IIIA 635-12-695-15-770-18-860 IIIB 655-15-730-18-820-21-925 IV 670-15-745-18-835-21-940 V 700-18-790-21-895-24- 1015 VI 720-18-810-22-920-25- 1045 Note: Dearness Allowance.— The fair wages are equated to 500 points of the average of the all India Consumer Price Index of Industrial Workers for the year 1986, that is to say, 661 (Base 1960-100). For every point of rise above 500 points, the workers shall be paid Dearness Allowance at the rate of Rs. 1.50 per mensem. The Dearness Allowance is subject to adjustments, every six months on the basis of the All India Average Consumer Index Number Published by Labour Bureau, Simla, for the months from January to June and July to December of the Year respectively, that is to say, the amount of Dearness Allowance for January to June and July to December has to be calculated and paid in September and March respectively. House Rent Allowance.— Workers shall be paid House Rent Allowance at the rate of Rs. 20 per mensem. Fitment Rules.— The existing fair wages of a worker includes his bas ic pay, fixed Dearness Allowance of Rs. 88.20 (200 points), variable Dearness Allowance at Cost of Living Number (300 points x 90 paise per point) and interim relief of Rs. 35. Every worker who is drawing fair wages at the existing rate will be brought on to the revised pay scale with effect from the first day of April, 1987 and fitted into that pay scale at the appropriate stage, either at the initial or higher stage in the revised pay scale as the case may be”. 4. Repeal and saving. —(1) The Kerala Motor Transport Workers' Payment of Fair Wages (Amendment) Ordinance, 1988 (13 of 1988) is hereby repealed. (2) Notwithstanding such repeal anything done or any action taken under the principal Act as amended by the said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the principal Act as amended by this Act. ACT 5 OF 1997 [1] THE KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS' PAYMENT OF FAIR WAGES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1997 An Act further to amend the Kerala Motor Transport Workers' Payment of Fair Wages Act, 1971. Preamble : — WHEREAS it is expedient further to amend the Kerala Motor Transport Workers' Payment of Fair Wages Act, 1971 (23 of 1971), for the purposes hereinafter appearing; BE it enacted in the Forty-eighth Year of the Republic of India as follows: — 1 . Short title and commencement : — (1) This Act may be called the Kerala Motor Transport Workers' Payment of Fair Wages (Amendment) Act, 1997. (2) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 15th day of January, 1997. 2 . Insertion of new section 6A : — In the Kerala Motor Transport Workers' Payment of Fair Wages Act, 1971 (23 of 1971) (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act) after section 6 the following section shall be inserted, namely: — "6A. Power of Government to amend the Schedule : — (1) The Government may at any time and shall, at the expiration of five years from the 15th day of January, 1997 and thereafter at the expiration of every five years, by order published in the Gazette revise the rate of wages payable to the motor transport workers specified in the Schedule to this Act by suitably amending the Schedule. (2) Every notification made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before the Legislative Assembly while it is in session for a total period of fourteen days which may be comprised on one session or in two successive sessions and if before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately following, the Legislative Assembly makes any modification in the notification or decides that the notification shall not be made, the notification shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so however that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that notification.". 3 . Substitution of Schedule A : — For Schedule A of the principal Act the following Schedule shall be substituted, namely: — "SCHEDULE A Category of Employees Pay Scale Class of Employers I I 1475-10-1525-15-1600-20-1700-25-1825 (Employers owing 25 or less than 25 Vehicles) II 1500-15-1575-20-1675-25-1800-30-1950 IIIA 1525-20-1625-25-1750-30-1900-35-2075 IIIB 1550-20-1650-25-1775-30-1925-35- 2100 IV 1575-25-1700-30-1850-35-2025-40-2225 V 1600-30-1750-35-1925-40-2125-45-2350 VI 1625-35-1800-40-2000-45-2225-50-2475 Class of Employers II I 1475-10-1525-15-1600-20-1700-25-1825 (Employers owing 26 or II 1500-15-1575-20-1675-25-1800-30-1950 more Vehicles) IIIA 1525-20-1625-25-1750-30-1900-35-2075 IIIB 1550-20-1650-25-1775-30-1925-35-2100 IV 1575-25-1700-30-1850-35- 2025-40-2225 V 1615-30-1765-35-1940-40-2140-45-2365 VI 1640-35-1815-40-2015- 45-2240-50-2490 Rules for Fixation of Pay : — (1) The initial pay of a motor transport worker shall be fixed in the revised scale by adding the following, namely: — (a) the basic pay in the existing scale. (b) an amount of Rs.750 equivalent to Dearness Allowance point between 500 and 1000, and (c) an amount equal to 10% of the total amount mentioned in items (a) and (b). (2) The pay shall be fixed in the revised scale on the basis of the amount computed under sub-rule (1) if the same is a stage in the revised scale and, if not, at the stage next above the amount so computed. (3) Every motor transport worker who has put in more than 5 years of service on or before 15th day of January, 1997 shall be paid one increment in the revised scale as weightage on completion of every five years of service. The pay of such worker shall be fixed in revised scale after adding the weightage in the pay fixed under sub-rule (2). (4) For the purposes of these rules, (a) "existing scale" means the scale mentioned in the Schedule immediately prior to 15th day of January, 1997. (b) "revised scale" means the scale substituted in the Schedule by the Kerala Motor Transport Workers' Payment of Fair Wages (Amendment) Act, 1997. Note: 1. Dearness Allowance: — The Dearness Allowances shall be paid on the basis of the All India Average Consumer Index Number published by Labour Bureau, Simla for the half years beginning from January to June and July to December every year at the rate of rupees 2 per mensem for every point above 1000 points. The amount of Dearness Allowance for January to June and July to December has to be calculated and paid in September and March respectively. II. House Rent Allowance : — Every worker shall be paid House Rent Allowance, at the rate of rupees 30 per mensem . III. Grade : — Every worker who has ten years continuous service in a post without any promotion shall be granted higher grade in the scale of pay of the immediate higher post. IV . Washing Allowance : — Every worker shall be paid Washing Allowance at the rate of rupees 10 per mensem.". 4. Amendment of Schedule B:-- In Schedule B of the principal Act, under the heading "Classification of Workers", — (a) under the sub heading "Category I, Unskilled", after serial No.22, the following serial number and entry shall be added, namely: — 23 Backdoor Conductor or Assistant Conductor"; (b) under the sub heading "Category II, Semiskilled" the following serial numbers and the entries shall be omitted, namely: — "5. Assistant Fitter 6. Assistant Electrician 7. Assistant Carpenter 8. Assistant Blacksmith 9. Assistant Welder 10. Assistant Turner 11. Assistant Tyre-man 12. Assistant Greaser 13. Assistant Battery-man 14. Assistant Painter."; (c) under the sub heading "Category III Skilled A", the following serial numbers and entries shall be added, namely: 17. Assistant Fitter 18. Assistant Tyre-man 19. Assistant Electrician 20. Assistant Carpenter 21. Assistant Blacksmith 22. Assistant Welder 23. Assistant Turner 24. Assistant Greaser 25. Assistant Battery-man 26. Assistant Painter."; (d) under the sub heading "Category IV Skilled", the following serial numbers and entries shall be omitted namely: "2. Mechanic/Head mechanic 6. Chief Mechanic"; (e) under the sub heading "Category V Junior Supervisory" the following serial numbers and entries shall be added, namely: — "15 . Mechanic/Head Mechanic 16. Chief Mechanic."; 5. Repeal and saving:-- (1) The Kerala Motor Transport Workers' Payment of Fair Wages (Amendment) Ordinance, 1996 (1 of 1997), is hereby repealed. (2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the principal Act as amended by the said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the principal Act as amended by this Act. GOVERNMENT OF KERALA NOTIFICATION The following Act of the Kerala State Legislature is hereby published for general information. The Bill as passed by the Legislative Assembly received the assent of the Governor on the 14th day of October, 2023. By order of the Governor, K. G. SANAL KUMAR, Law Secretary. Dated, Thiruvananthapuram, 16th October, 2023 29th Kanni, 1199 24th Aswina, 1945. No. 84/Leg.C2/2022/Law. Law (Legislation-C) Department © േകരള സർ!ാർ Government of Kerala 2023 േകരള ഗസ$് KERALA GAZETTE അസാധാരണം EXTRAORDINARY ആധികാരികമായി .പസി0െ2ടു5ു67 PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY Regn.No. KERBIL/2012/45073 dated 05-09-2012 with RNI Reg No.KL/TV(N)/634/2021-2023 വാല:ം 12 Vol. XII തിരുവന?പുരം, െചാB Thiruvananthapuram, Tuesday 2023 ഒFേടാബർ 17 17th October 2023 1199 ക6ി 30 30th Kanni 1199 1945 ആശMിനം 25 25th Aswina 1945 നNർ No. 3379 This is a digitally signed Gazette. Authenticity may be verified through https://compose.kerala.gov.in/ ACT 26 OF 2023 THE KERALA MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS’ PAYMENT OF FAIR WAGES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2023 An Act further to amend the Kerala Motor Transport Workers’ Payment of Fair Wages Act, 1971. Preamble.—WHEREAS, it is expedient further to amend the Kerala Motor Transport Workers’ Payment of Fair Wages Act, 1971 (23 of 1971) for the purposes hereinafter appearing; BE it enacted in the Seventy-fourth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 1. Short title and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Kerala Motor Transport Workers’ Payment of Fair Wages (Amendment) Act, 2023. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Government may, by notification in the Gazette, appoint. 2. Amendment of section 2.—In the Kerala Motor Transport Workers' Payment of Fair Wages Act, 1971 (23 of 1971) (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act) in section 2,— (i) the existing clause (a) shall be re-lettered as clause (ab) and before clause (ab) as so re-lettered, the following clauses shall be inserted, namely:— “(a) “authority” means the authority appointed under section 3A of the Act; (aa) “Deputy Labour Commissioner” means the Deputy Labour Commissioner of the State having jurisdiction in the respective areas;”; (ii) after clause (ab), as so re-lettered, the following clauses shall be inserted, namely:— “(ac) “Inspector” means the Chief Inspector or any Inspector appointed under sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961 (Central Act 27 of 1961); (ad) “Labour Commissioner” means the Labour Commissioner of the State of Kerala;”; (iii) after clause (d) the following clause shall be inserted, namely:— “(e) “Government” means Government of Kerala.”. 2 This is a digitally signed Gazette. Authenticity may be verified through https://compose.kerala.gov.in/ 3. Insertion of new section 3A.—After section 3 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:— “3A. Claims arising out of non-payment of fair wages and penalty thereof.—(1) The Government may, by notification in the Gazette, appoint an officer not below the rank of a Deputy Labour Commissioner of the State Government as authority to hear and decide for any specified area, all claims arising out of payment of less than the fair wages to the motor transport workers employed or paid in that area, including all matters incidental to such claims. (2) Where a motor transport worker has any such claim of the nature referred to in sub-section (1), he himself or any legal practitioner or any official of a registered trade union authorised in writing to act on behalf of such worker or any Inspector or any person acting with the permission of the authority appointed under sub-section (1) may apply to such authority for a direction under sub-section (3): Provided that every such application shall be presented in such form as may be prescribed, within six months, from the date on which the fair wages become payable: Provided further that any such application may be admitted after the said period of six months, if the authority is satisfied that the applicant had sufficient cause for not making the application within such period. (3) When any application under sub-section (2) is entertained, the authority shall hear the applicant and the employer responsible for the payment of fair wages under section 3, or give them an opportunity of being heard, and after such further enquiry, if any, as it may deem necessary, the authority may, without prejudice to any other penalty to which the employer may be liable under this Act, direct that payment shall be made to the motor transport worker, of the amount by which the amount actually paid to him falls short of the fair wages actually payable to him, together with the payment of such compensation as the authority may think fit, not exceeding ten times the amount of such deficit. (4) If any amount directed to be paid under sub-section (3) is not paid by the person liable for the payment thereof, within the time limit fixed by the authority in this behalf, the authority shall, on application made to it by the person entitled thereto, either directly or by any person authorised by him in writing, issue a certificate for that amount to the Collector, 3 This is a digitally signed Gazette. Authenticity may be verified through https://compose.kerala.gov.in/ who shall recover the same as arrears of public revenue due on land and pay the same to the person entitled thereto. (5) Any person aggrieved by an order under sub-section (3) may, within sixty days from the date of receipt of the order, prefer an appeal to the Labour Commissioner (hereinafter referred to as the appellate authority): Provided that no appeal shall be admitted unless, at the time of preferring the appeal, the appellant either produces a certificate issued by the authority to the effect that he has deposited an amount equal to the amount required to be paid under sub-section (3) or deposits such amount with the appellate authority. (6) The appellate authority may, after giving the parties to the appeal an opportunity of being heard, confirm, modify or revise the decision of the authority.”. 4. Amendment of section 4.—In section 4 of the principal Act, for the words “five hundred rupees”, the words “two thousand rupees” shall be substituted. 5. Amendment of section 6.—In sub-section (1) of section 6 of the principal Act, for the word “authority”, the word “Inspector” shall be substituted. 4 This is a digitally signed Gazette. Authenticity may be verified through https://compose.kerala.gov.in/ േകരള സർ!ാർ നിയമ (നിയമനിർ�ാണ-സി) വകു'് വി+ാപനം േകരള സം2ാന നിയമസഭയുെട താെഴ'റയു9 ആക്;് െപാതുജന=ളുെട അറിവിേല@ായി ഇതിനാൽ CപസിDെ'ടുEു9ു. നിയമസഭ പാGാ@ിയ CപകാരമുH ബിJിന് 2023 ഒേLാബർ 14-ാം തീയതി ഗവർOറുെട അനുമതി ലഭിPു. ഗവർOറുെട ഉEരവിൻCപകാരം, െക. ജി. സനൽ കുമാർ, നിയമ െസCകTറി. നUർ 84/െലഗ്.സി2/2022/നിയമം. തിരുവനVപുരം, 2023 ഒേLാബർ 16 1199 ക9ി 29 1945 ആശ^ിനം 24. 5 This is a digitally signed Gazette. Authenticity may be verified through https://compose.kerala.gov.in/ 2023-െല 26-ാം ആക;് ് 2023-െല േകരള േമാേ'ാർ വാഹനെ+ാഴിലാളികൾ!് ന0ായമായ േവതനം നൽകൽ (േഭദഗതി) ആക്;് 1971-െല േകരള േമാേTാർ വാഹനെEാഴിലാളികൾ@് നbായമായ േവതനം നൽകൽ ആക്;് വീcും േഭദഗതി െചfു9തിനുH ഒരു ആക്; ് പീഠിക.—1971-െല േകരള േമാേTാർ വാഹനെEാഴിലാളികൾ@് നbായമായ േവതനം നൽകൽ ആക്;് (1971-െല 23) ഇതിനുേശഷം കാണു9 ആവശb=ൾ@ായി വീcും േഭദഗതി െചfു9ത് യുiമായിരി@ുകയാൽ; ഭാരത റി'jി@ിെk എ ഴുപEിനാലാം സംവmരEിൽ താെഴ'റയും Cപകാരം നിയമമുcാ@ു9ു:— 1. ചുരു@േ'രും Cപാരംഭവും.—(1) ഈ ആക്;ിന് 2023-െല േകരള േമാേTാർ വാഹനെEാഴിലാളികൾ@് നbായമായ േവതനം നൽകൽ (േഭദഗതി) ആക്;് എ9് േപര് പറയാം. (2) ഇത് സർ@ാർ, ഗസ;് വി+ാപനംവഴി, നിpയി@ു9 തീയതി മുതൽ CപാബലbEിൽ വരു9താണ്. 2. 2-ാംവകു'ിെk േഭദഗതി.—1971-െല േകരള േമാേTാർ വാഹനെEാഴിലാളികൾ@ ് നbായമായ േവതനം നൽകൽ ആക്;ിെk (1971-െല 23) (ഇതിനുേശഷം Cപധാന ആക്; ് എ9ാണ് പരാമർശി@െ'ടുക) 2-ാം വകു'ിൽ,— ( ) നിലവിലുളള (എ) ഖsം (എബി) ഖsമായി പുനരtരം െചേfcതും അCപകാരം പുനരtരം െചയ്ത (എബി) ഖsEിന് മുൻപായി താെഴ'റയു9 ഖs=ൾ േചർേ@cതുമാണ്, അതായത്:— “(എ) “അധികാര2ാനം” എ9ാൽ 3എ വകു'ിൻകീഴിൽ നിയമിPിTുളള അധികാര2ാനം എ9ർuമാകു9ു; 6 This is a digitally signed Gazette. Authenticity may be verified through https://compose.kerala.gov.in/ (എഎ) “െഡപbൂTി േലബർ ക�ീഷണർ” എ9ാൽ ബxെ'T CപേദശE ് അധികാരിതയുളള സം2ാന െഡപbൂTി േലബർ ക�ീഷണർ എ9ർuമാകു9ു;”; ( ) അCപകാരം പുനരtരം െചയ്ത (എബി) ഖsEിനുേശഷം താെഴ'റയു9 ഖs=ൾ േചർേ@cതാണ്, അതായത്:— “(എസി) “ഇൻസ്െപLർ” എ9ാൽ 1961-െല േമാേTാർ പരിവഹണ െEാഴിലാളികൾ ആക്;ിെk (1961-െല 27-ാം േകCy ആക;്്) 4-ാം വകു'് (1)-ാം ഉപവകു'ിൻ കീഴിൽ നിയമിPിTുളള ചീഫ് ഇൻസ്െപLർ അെJ{ിൽ ഏെത{ിലും ഇൻസ്െപLർ എ9ർuമാകു9ു; (എഡി) “േലബർ ക�ീഷണർ” എ9ാൽ േകരള സം2ാന േലബർ ക�ീഷണർ എ9ർuമാകു9ു;”; ( ) (ഡി) ഖsEിനുേശഷം താെഴ'റയു9 ഖsം േചർേ@cതാണ,് അതായത്:— “(ഇ) “സർ@ാർ” എ9ാൽ േകരള സർ@ാർ എ9ർuമാകു9ു.”. 3. 3എ എ9 പുതിയ വകു'് േചർ@ൽ.—Cപധാന ആക്;ിെk 3-ാം വകു'ിനുേശഷം, താെഴ'റയു9 വകു'് േചർേ@cതാണ,് അതായത്:— “3എ. നbായമായ േവതനം നൽകാEത് സംബxിP് ഉcാകു9 അവകാശ വാദ=ളും അതിനുളള ശിtയും.—(1) ഏെത{ിലും ഒരു Cപേതbക CപേദശE ് നിേയാഗി@െ'Tിരി@ു9വേരാ അവിെട േവതനം നൽകെ'ടു9വേരാ ആയ േമാേTാർ വാഹനെEാഴിലാളികൾ@് നbായമായതിേന@ാൾ കുറ} േവതനം നൽകിയതിൽ നി9ുൽഭവി@ു9 എJാ അവകാശവാദ=ളും, അ=െനയുളള അവകാശവാദ=ൾ@ ് ആനുഷംഗികമായ എJാ കാരb=ളുമുൾെ'െട, േകൾ@ു9തിനും തീർ'ാ@ു9തിനു മുളള അധികാര2ാനമായി സം2ാന സർ@ാരിെk െഡപbൂTി േലബർ ക�ീഷണറുെട പദവിയിൽ താെഴയJാE ഏെത{ിലും ഉേദbാഗ2െന, സർ@ാരിന് ഗസ;് വി+ാപനം വഴി, നിയമി@ാവു9താണ്. (2) (1)-ാം ഉപവകു'ിൽ പരാമർശിP സ^ഭാവമുളള ഏെത{ിലും അവകാശവാദം ഒരു േമാേTാർ വാഹന െതാഴിലാളിയ്@ുളളപtം, അയാൾേ@ാ 7 This is a digitally signed Gazette. Authenticity may be verified through https://compose.kerala.gov.in/ ഏെത{ിലും ലീഗൽ CപാLീഷണർേ@ാ അ=െനയുളള െതാഴിലാളി@് േവcി CപവർEി@ാൻ േരഖാമൂലം അധികാരെ'ടുEിയിTുളള രജി~ർ െചfെ'T ഒരു െതാഴിലാളി സംഘടനയുെട ഔേദbാഗിക ഭാരവാഹിേ@ാ ഏെത{ിലും ഇൻസ്െപLർേ@ാ (1)-ാം ഉപവകു'ുCപകാരം നിയമി@െ'T അധികാര2ാനEിെk അനുവാദേEാടുകൂടി CപവർEി@ു9 ഏെത{ിലും ആൾേ@ാ (3)-ാം ഉപവകു'ുCപകാരം ഉളള ഒരു നിർേ�ശEിനായി അ=െനയുളള അധികാര2ാനേEാട ് അേപtി@ാവു9താണ്: എ9ാൽ, അ=െനയുളള എJാ അേപtയും നിർOയി@െ'ടാവു9 Cപകാരമുളള അEരം ഫാറEിൽ നbായമായ േവതനം നൽേകcതായി വരു9 തീയതി മുതൽ ആറു മാസEിനകം സമർ'ിേ@cതാണ്: എ9ുമാCതമJ, അ=െനയുളള കാലയളവിനുളളിൽ അേപt സമർ'ി@ാതിരു9തിന് അേപtകന് മതിയായ കാരണമുcായിരു9ുെവ9് അധികാര2ാനEിന് േബാDbമാകു9പtം, Cപസത്ുത ആറുമാസ@ാലയളവിനു േശഷവും അ=െനയുളള ഏെതാരു അേപtയും സ^ീകരി@ാവു9താണ്. (3) (2)-ാം ഉപവകു'് Cപകാരമുളള ഏെത{ിലും അേപt സ^ീകരി@ു9 പtം, അധികാര2ാനം, അേപtകെനയും 3-ാം വകു'ുCപകാരം നbായമായ േവതനം നൽകാൻ ബാDb2നായ െതാഴിലുടമേയയും േകൾേ@cേതാ അവ൪@ ് പറയുവാനുളളത് പറയാൻ ഒരവസരം നൽേകcതും ആവശbെമ9് കരുതു9 പtം അCപകാരമുളള കൂടുതൽ അേന^ഷണേമെത{ിലുമുെc{ിൽ, അതിനുേശഷം അധികാര2ാനEിന്, ഈ ആക്;് Cപകാരം െതാഴിലുടമ വിേധയനാേയ@ാവു9 മേ;െത{ിലും ശിtയ്@് ഭംഗം വരാെത, േമാേTാർ വാഹന െതാഴിലാളി@ ് യഥാർuEിൽ നൽകെ'T േവതനം അയാൾ@് യഥാർuEിൽ ലഭിേ@cതായ നbായമായ േവതനEിൽ നി9് എCത കുറവാേണാ അCതയും തുക, അ=െന കുറവ് വ9 തുകയുെട പEിരTിയിൽ കവിയാEതും അധികാര2ാനEിന് യുiെമ9 ് േതാ9ു9തുമായ അCപകാരമുളള ന�പരിഹാരേEാെടാ'ം നൽകുവാൻ നിർേ�ശി@ാവു9തുമാണ്. (4) (3)-ാം ഉപവകു'് Cപകാരം നൽകുവാൻ നിർേ�ശി@െ'T ഏെത{ിലും തുക നൽകാൻ ബാDb2നായ ആൾ, അധികാര2ാനം ഇതിനായി നിpയിP സമയപരിധി@ുളളിൽ നൽകാEപtം അധികാര2ാനം, ആ തുക കിTാൻ അവകാശമുളള ആൾ േനരിേTാ അെJ{ിൽ അയാൾ അധികാരെ'ടുEിയ ഏെത{ിലും 8 This is a digitally signed Gazette. Authenticity may be verified through https://compose.kerala.gov.in/ ആൾ മുേഖനേയാ േരഖാമൂലം നൽകു9 അേപtയിൻേമൽ, ആ തുകയ്@ുളള ഒരു സർTിഫി@;് കളLർ@് നൽേകcതും, കളLർ അത് ഭൂമിയിൻേമലുളള റവനbൂ കുടി�ികെയ9തുേപാെല വസൂലാേ@cതും അത് അവകാശെ'T ആൾ@് നൽേകcതുമാണ്. (5) (3)-ാം ഉപവകു'് Cപകാരമുളള ഒരു ഉEരവ ്മൂലം സ{ടമനുഭവി@ു9 ഏെതാരാൾ@ും ഉEരവ് ലഭിP തീയതി മുതൽ അറുപത് ദിവസEിനകം േലബർ ക�ീഷണർ@ ്(ഇതിനുേശഷം അ'ീലധികാര2ാനം എ9ാണ് പരാമർശി@െ'ടുക) ഒരു അ'ീൽ േബാധി'ി@ാവു9താണ്: എ9ാൽ, അ'ീൽവാദി, (3)-ാം ഉപവകു' ് Cപകാരം നൽകാൻ ആവശbെ'T തുകയ്@് തുലbമായ തുക ആ അധികാര2ാനEിെk പ@ൽ നിേtപിPിTുെc9 ് ആ അധികാര2ാനം നൽകിയ ഒരു സർTിഫി@;് ഹാജരാ@ുകേയാ അെJ{ിൽ അCപകാരമുളള തുക അ'ീലധികാര2ാനEിെk പ@ൽ നിേtപി@ുകേയാ െചfാEപtം യാെതാരു അ'ീലും സ^ീകരി@ാൻ പാടിJാEതാണ്. (6) അ'ീലധികാര2ാനEിന് അ'ീലിെല കtികൾ@് പറയുവാനുളളത ് പറയാൻ ഒരു അവസരം നൽകിയതിനുേശഷം, അധികാര2ാനEിെk തീർ' ് 2ിരെ'ടുEുകേയാ േഭദഗതി വരുEുകേയാ പരിഷ്@രി@ുകേയാ െചfാവു9താണ്.”. 4. 4-ാം വകു'ിെk േഭദഗതി.—Cപധാന ആക്;ിെല 4-ാം വകു'ിൽ “അ}ൂറു രൂപ” എ9 വാ@ുകൾ@ ്പകരം “രcായിരം രൂപ” എ9 വാ@ുകൾ േചർേ@cതാണ്. 5. 6-ാം വകു'ിെk േഭദഗതി.—Cപധാന ആക്;ിെല 6-ാം വകു'് (1)-ാം ഉപവകു'ിൽ “ഗസ;ിൽ പരസbം മൂലം ഗവൺെമk് Cപേതbകം പറയാവു9 അധികാര2ാനം” എ9 വാ@ുകൾ@ ് പകരം “സർ@ാർ ഗസ;് വി+ാപനം മുേഖന നിpയി@ു9 അ=െനയുളള ഇൻസെ്പLർ” എ9 വാ@ുകൾ േചർേ@cതാണ്. (ശരിEർ�മ) ബി. CപതാപചCyൻ, നിയമവകു'് അഡീഷണൽ െസCകTറി. 9 This is a digitally signed Gazette. Authenticity may be verified through https://compose.kerala.gov.in/ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PUBLISHED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRESSES AT THE GOVERNMENT CENTRAL PRESS, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 2023