#retrenchment

Delhi High Court ruled that a series of 89-day peon contracts cannot be shielded by the Section 2(oo)(bb) exemption of the Industrial Disputes Act. The court set aside the Labour Court's reinstatement award and ordered a lump-sum payment of Rs 3 lakhs per workman, with interest, affecting similarly engaged fixed-term workers.

Bombay HC rules that oral termination of a workman, even without written documentation, violates Section 25F of the Industrial Disputes Act if retrenchment compensation and notice are not provided. The judgment reinforces that statutory compliance is mandatory regardless of the form of termination, impacting employers' HR practices across industries.

Karnataka High Court rules that retrenchment under the Industrial Disputes Act without strict compliance with Section 25-F is void ab initio, entitling the workman to reinstatement. The Court awarded 50% backwages, balancing pandemic hardship and employer's partial good faith, setting a precedent for procedural fairness in employment terminations.

Madras High Court holds that co-terminous employment clauses are unenforceable unless explicitly communicated post-contract expiry, rendering termination illegal under Section 25F of the ID Act.