Socio-economic legislation which is aimed at social or economic policy changes, the interpretation should not be narrow. Justice Krishna Iyer in a case relating to agrarian reforms observed that “the judiciary is not a mere umpire but also an active catalyst in the constitutional scheme”.
In the case of Sant Ram v Rajinderlal , the Supreme Court said that welfare legislation must be interpreted in a third World perspective favouring the weaker and poor class. It has also been laid down in the case of labour legislation that courts should not stick to grammatical constructions but also have regard to ‘teleological purpose and protective intendment’ of the legislation. Interpretation of labour legislations should be done by the courts with more concern with the colour, the context and the content of the statute rather than its literal import.
Industrial Disputes Act 1947 is one of welfare statute which intends to bring about peace and harmony between management and labour in an industry and improve the service conditions of industrial workers which in will turn accelerate productive activity of the country resulting in its prosperity. As a result the prosperity of the country in turn will help to improve the conditions of the workmen. Therefore this statute should be interpreted in such a way that it advances the object and the purpose of the legislation and gives it a full meaning and effect so that the ultimate social objective is achieved. The courts while interpreting labour laws have always stressed on the doctrine of social justice as enshrined in the Preamble of Constitution.
In the case of Sant Ram v Rajinderlal , the Supreme Court said that welfare legislation must be interpreted in a third World perspective favouring the weaker and poor class. It has also been laid down in the case of labour legislation that courts should not stick to grammatical constructions but also have regard to ‘teleological purpose and protective intendment’ of the legislation. Interpretation of labour legislations should be done by the courts with more concern with the colour, the context and the content of the statute rather than its literal import.
Industrial Disputes Act 1947 is one of welfare statute which intends to bring about peace and harmony between management and labour in an industry and improve the service conditions of industrial workers which in will turn accelerate productive activity of the country resulting in its prosperity. As a result the prosperity of the country in turn will help to improve the conditions of the workmen. Therefore this statute should be interpreted in such a way that it advances the object and the purpose of the legislation and gives it a full meaning and effect so that the ultimate social objective is achieved. The courts while interpreting labour laws have always stressed on the doctrine of social justice as enshrined in the Preamble of Constitution.
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