Labour Commissioner Lacks Authority to direct employer to pay minimum wages During Conciliation Proceedings

HLL Life Care Limited Vs Sapthazeal Private Limited (Kerala High Court) In the case of HLL Life Care Limited v. Sapthazeal Private Limited, the Kerala High Court addressed whether the Regional Labour Commissioner (Central) has jurisdiction to order a principal employer to pay differential wages under Section 21(4) of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970, during conciliation proceedings under Section 12 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The dispute arose from a housekeeping contract where the contractor allegedly failed to pay minimum wages. The Regional Labour Commissio...