IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Date: 14.3.2005 Coram THE HONOURABLE MR. MARKANDEY KATJU, THE CHIEF JUSTICE and THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE PRABHA SRIDEVAN Writ Appeal No.3222 of 2002 Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. rep. by its Executive Director Southern Region 139 Nungambakkam High Road, Madras-600 034. .. Appellant versus 1. Indian Oil United Contract Labour Union rep. by its Joint Secretary V. Krishnamoorthy 79 Thirumangai Manan Street Sundaram Colony East Tambaram Madras – 600 059. 2. The Union of India rep. by its Secretary Labour and Employment New Delhi. 3. The Asst. Labour Commissioner (Registration) (Central) https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ Sastri Bhavan, 20, Haddows Road, Madras-6. 4. Polite Maintenance Services rep. by its Proprietor J.A. Victor 28 Murali Street Mahalingapuram Madras – 600 034. .. Respondents Writ Appeal filed under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent against the order passed in Writ Petition No.18992 of 1996 dated 27.9.2002. for appellant : Mr. AL. Somayaji Senior Counsel for M/s. T.S. Gopalan & Co. for respondent 1: Mr. R. Natarajan for respondents : Mr. S. Manikumar 2 and 3 Sr. Central Govt. Standing Counsel for respondent 4: No appearance JUDGMENT (Judgment of the Court was delivered by The Honourable The Chief Justice) This writ appeal has been filed against the impugned order of the learned single Judge dated 27.9.2002. 2. We have heard Mr. AL. Somayaji, learned Senior Counsel for the appellant, Mr. R. Natarajan, learned counsel for the first respondent and Mr. S. Manikumar, learned Senior Central Government Standing Counsel for the respondents 2 and 3. None has appeared for the fourth respondent although the name of the counsel for the fourth respondent has been shown in the cause list. 3. The writ petitioner is a Trade Union and in the writ petition it prayed for a writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ quash the Registration Order dated 30.11.1992 and direct the third respondent Indian Oil Corporation to consider the claim of the workers of the petitioner Union for absorption and regularisation according to law. 4. The facts in detail are given in the judgment of the learned single Judge and hence we are not repeating the same. The learned single Judge in paragraph 16 of his judgment has directed the respondent Indian Oil Corporation to continue to engage the 32 workers whose names are found in the Annexure to the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition. He has further directed that their engagement shall be uninterrupted till their services are regularised or absorbed. 5. In our opinion, the impugned judgment of the learned single Judge cannot be sustained. As held by a Constitution Bench decision of the Supreme Court in Steel Authority of India vs. National Union Waterfront Workers (JT 2001 (7) SC 268 = 2001 (7) SCC 1) the contract labourers are not entitled to get automatic absorption even if there is a notification under Section 10(1) of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act 1970 and these employees have to approach the Industrial Tribunal/Labour Court for adjudication of their claim. 6. In Writ Appeal Nos. 1048 to 1052 and 1092 to 1094 of 1998 (The Airport Officer, Salem Airport, Salem and another vs. M. Kalaikovan and others) dated 14.3.2005, we have followed the aforesaid decision of the Supreme Court. In view of the above, in our opinion, the judgment of the learned single Judge cannot be sustained. The workers concerned should have raised an Industrial Dispute with regard to their claim for regularisation instead of directly approaching this Court. As regards the cancellation of the Registration, there is a right of appeal under Section 15 of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act 1970. Hence the workers had an alternative remedy. The writ petition should not have been entertained at all. In view of the above, the writ appeal is https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ allowed and the impugned judgment is set aside. The writ petition is dismissed. No costs. Sd/ Asst.Registrar /true copy/ Sub Asst.Registrar Vu To 1. The Secretary, Union of India Labour and Employment New Delhi. 2. The Asst. Labour Commissioner (Registration) (Central) Sastri Bhavan, 20, Haddows Road, Madras-6. 3.The Executive Director, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Southern Region, 139, Nungambakkam High Road, Madras-34 +1cc to M/S T.S.Gopalan, Advocate Sr.No.11973 +1cc to Mr. S. Manikumar, SCGSC SR.No.12051 AK(CO) kaa 18.03.05 W.A.No.3222 of 2002 14.3.2005 https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/