CENTRE DECLARES SERVICES IN IRON ORE MINING INDUSTRY AS PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE FOR SIX MONTHS

---

The Central Government has declared services in the Iron Ore Mining Industry as a public utility service under the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947 for another six months with immediate effect. In a notification issued here, the Labour Ministry has said that this is being done in the public interest. The services in the Iron Ore Mining Industry were earlier declared as public utility service from January 10 and subsequently on July 10, 2001 and January 10,2002 for six months each.

The employees in this industry would among other things, be required to give notice to their employers six weeks in advance of proceeding on strike so that conciliatory proceedings could be started. During the conciliatory proceedings and seven days after their completion, the employees cannot go on strike.