Karnataka Government issues Draft Industrial Relations (Karnataka) Rules, 2026; invites comments by 9th March, 2026

The Government of Karnataka has issued the Draft Industrial Relations (Karnataka) Rules, 2026 (“Draft Rules”) under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. These Draft Rules are proposed to extend to the whole State of Karnataka in respect to the industrial establishments and matters for which the State Government is the appropriate Government and have been introduced in supersession of the –

i. Industrial Disputes (Karnataka) Rules, 1957

ii. Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Karnataka Rules, 1961

iii. Karnataka Trade Union Regulations and;

iv. Industrial Tribunal (Karnataka Procedure) Rules, 1955

Objections and suggestions if any, may be sent to the Secretary to Government, Labour Department, Vikasa Soudha, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru by 9th March, 2026.

Key proposals under the Draft Rules:

• Provisions mandating written agreements between employers and workers for dispute settlements, to be submitted to Conciliation Officers on prescribed forms.

• Constitution of Works Committees within industrial establishments including representation from both employers and workers.

• Provisions pertaining to Trade Unions and the manner of subscription, annual audit, verification, composition, and dissolution of Trade Unions.

• Establishment and procedures of Grievance Redressal Committees including the nomination or selection of members, tenure, grievance filing, and escalation mechanisms.

• Detailed provisions pertaining to Standing Orders, including filing, certification, modification, appeal, and maintenance processes.

• The procedure for intending any notice of change relating to the conditions of service applicable to any worker and providing a notice for the same.

• Mechanisms for resolution of Industrial dispute by voluntary reference to arbitration, conciliation, and adjudication through specified authorities and tribunals.

• Provision pertaining to the number of persons by whom the notice of strike should be given, the person or persons to whom such notice is to be given and the manner of giving such notice.

• The procedure for giving notice of a lockout by the employer of an industrial establishment to the General Secretary or Secretary of each registered trade union, and the required number of union members who must give notice of a strike to the concerned Conciliation Officer, Labour Commissioner, and the State Government.

• The manner and procedures pertaining to Lay-off, retrenchment, re-employment of workers and closure of the industrial establishment.

• Introduction of ‘Worker Re-skilling Fund’ which is proposed to be funded by employer contributions.

• The manner in which the Trade Unions and councils must notify employers stating which of their members should be recognized as protected workmen.

• Specification of offences, penalties, and the procedure for Compounding of Offences.

Source: Government of Karnataka