Plantations Labour Bill 2010 prohibits child employment in plantations

This Bill amends the Plantations Labour Act, 1951, to introduce safety measures for workers handling hazardous chemicals, prohibit the employment of children in plantations, and increase penalties for non-compliance with labor welfare provisions.

Who it concerns: Employers of plantations, workers in plantations (including those employed on contract), and State Governments responsible for making rules and enforcing the law.

What the bill does

• Mandates employers to provide safety arrangements, training, medical examinations, and protective equipment for workers handling insecticides, chemicals, and toxic substances.
• Prohibits the employment of children in any plantation.
• Allows State Governments to restrict or prohibit the employment of women and adolescents in handling hazardous chemicals.
• Increases the wage threshold for exclusion from the definition of 'worker' from Rs. 750 to Rs. 10,000 per month.
• Includes persons employed on contract for more than 60 days a year in the definition of 'worker'.
• Requires employers to provide compensation to workers in case of accidents, registered under the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923.
• Increases penalties for offenses, such as raising the maximum fine for certain violations to Rs. 1,00,000 and imprisonment to one year.
• Restricts court cognizance of offenses to complaints made by workers, trade union office bearers, or inspectors.

Also in the document

• The Bill is an amendment to the existing Plantations Labour Act, 1951.
• It empowers State Governments to make rules to carry out the new safety provisions.
• It includes a protection clause stating that no legal proceedings shall lie against persons acting in good faith under the Act.