Importance & Applicability Of Labour Laws for Startups

Currently in India there are 29 labour laws which needs to be followed by all the entities. To make it more streamlined and hassle free the Ministry of Labour is under the process of consolidating all the labour laws under 4 new labour law codes (“Labour Codes”)

Code on Wages

Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code

Social Security Code

Industrial Relations Code

These Labour Codes are yet to be notified.

In India, the labour laws can be divided into compliance under central laws and the specific state laws.

We have compiled a list of central laws and examples of specific state laws herein.

Sr. NoLabour LawsApplicabilityRegistration/ ImplementationPenalty for non-compliance with the applicable laws
1Employee’s State Insurance Act, (ESI Act 1948)a) Working with the aid of power- 10 or more employees b) Without the aid of power- 20 or more      employeesSection 2-A of the Act read with Regulation 10-B, registration within 15 days from the date of its applicability to themImprisonment for a period extending up to 2 years and a fine of up to INR 5,000.
2Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention Prohibition and Redressal Act, 2013) (“POSH Act”)Applicable to all organizations, however the formation of an internal committee is applicable when there are 10 or more employeesThe company has to elect an internal committee and pass a board resolution for adopting the internal committee as per the provisions of POSH ActA fine of INR 50,000
3Maternity Benefit Act, 1961Any organization with 10 or more employeesNo registration required. However, an organization needs to maintain a muster roll. An organization is required to provide for first and second-time mothers, a leave of 6 months, or 26 weeks, off, which is a paid leave wherein her employer needs to pay her in full.Imprisonment which may extend to 3 months, or with fine which may extend to INR 500, or with both.
4Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972Any organization with 10 or more employeesForm A to be filed within 30 days of registrationpunishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both
5Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016Any organization with 20 or more employeesa) Form E for registration under Rule 27(3). b) Organization needs to    appoint a grievance officer as a complianceImprisonment up to 6 months and/ or a fine of INR 10,000, or both
6Equal Remuneration Act, 1976No minimum applicabilityForm D- Register to be maintained by the employerPenalty levied may be up to INR 10,000
7Payment of Bonus Act, 1965Any organization with 20 or more employeesIn case of new establishments, for the first 5 years, bonus is payable only if the business is profitable.Imprisonment for six months or may impose a fine of INR. 1000 or both
8The Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952Any organization with 20 or more employeesForm 5 to be filled by employers for enrolling new employees for this schemeFor delay in payment of PF- a)For 0 — 2 months delay – @ 5 % p.a. b)For 2 — 4 months delay – @10 % p.a. c)For 4 — 6 months delay – @ 15 % p.a. d)For delay above 6 months – @ 25 % p.a. (subject to a maximum of 100%)

List of Central Labour Laws applicable to Start-ups

State Specific Labour Laws applicable to Start-ups

Types Of Applicable Legislations For Specific States:

•State-specific shops and establishment acts

•State-specific labour welfare acts

•State-specific professional tax acts

STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND KARNATAKA COVERED HEREIN

State Specific Labour Laws applicable to Start-ups

A. For Maharashtra

Sr. NoLabour LawsApplicabilityRegistration/ ImplementationPenalty for non-compliance with the applicable laws
1Maharashtra Shops and Establishment Act, 1948Applicable to all organizations. Any organization with 10 or more employees needs to register.Form A to be filed for registrationFine which shall be not less than INR 1,000 but which may extend to INR 3,000 along with the prescribed registration or renewal Fee
2Maharashtra Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1953Any organization with 05 or more   employeesForm A to be filed for registrationA fine of INR 500 and/or imprisonment up to 3 months
3The Maharashtra State Tax on Profession, Trades, Callings and Employments Act, 1975Applicable to all organizations/ establishmentsForm I-I and I-II to be filled for enrollmentEmployer will be liable to pay a simple interest @ 1.25% of the tax payable for each month for which the tax remains unpaid.

Maharashtra Labour Laws applicable to Start-ups

B. For Karnataka

Sr. NoLabour LawsApplicabilityRegistration/ ImplementationPenalty for non-compliance with the applicable laws
1Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961Applicable to all. Organizations with 10 or more employees have to registerRegistration of establishment in Form Bpunishable with fine up to INR 1,000 and in case of a continuing contravention, a further fine of up to INR 2,000 for every day during which such contravention continues
2The Karnataka Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings And Employment Act, 1976Applicable to all person working in KarnatakaRegistration of establishment under Sec 5Penalty not exceeding fifty per cent of the amount of tax due. This penalty shall be in addition to the interest payable under sub-section (2) or (3) of section 11.

Karnataka Labour Laws applicable to Start-ups

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