Vidhi Codex

The Kerala Headload Workers Act, 1978

The Kerala Headload Workers Act, 1978

General197844 sections11 chapters

The Kerala Headload Workers Act, 1978, is a social welfare legislation designed to regulate the employment, working conditions, and wages of headload workers across Kerala. It mandates specific limits on working hours, rest intervals, and the maximum weight a worker can carry to ensure occupational health and safety. The Act establishes a framework for conciliation, dispute resolution, and the creation of welfare schemes, including provident funds. By setting up Boards and Committees to oversee these workers, the law protects them from exploitation, ensures fair compensation, and provides a structured mechanism for addressing grievances, ultimately balancing the interests of employers and the labor force.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I Chapter I →

  1. 1Short title, extent and commencement
  2. 2Amendment of section 15

Chapter II Chapter II →

  1. 3Appointment of conciliation Officers
  2. 4Insertion of new section 19 A
  3. 5Special provision for dissolving the existing Committee

Chapter III Chapter III →

  1. 6Hours of work
  2. 7Limitation of Employment
  3. 8Daily intervals for rest
  4. 9Wages payable to headload workers
  5. 10Wages for work between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m
  6. 11Enforcement of payment of wages
  7. 12Appeal

Chapter IV Chapter IV →

  1. 13Scheme

Chapter V Chapter V →

  1. 14Board
  2. 15Disqualifications and removal
  3. 16Appointment of officers for assisting the Board
  4. 17Supersession of Board

Chapter VI Chapter VI →

  1. 18Committees
  2. 19Appointment of officers for assisting committee
  3. 20Supersession of committee

Chapter VII Chapter VII →

  1. 21Settlement of disputes
  2. 22Reference or decision of disputes by Government
  3. 23Representation of parties

Chapter VIII Chapter VIII →

  1. 24Application of Workmen's Compensation Act to headload workers

Chapter IX Chapter IX →

  1. 25Register of headload workers
  2. 26Maintenance of Registers and records by employers

Chapter X Chapter X →

  1. 27Penalty for obstructions
  2. 28Penalty for making false statements, etc
  3. 29Other penalities
  4. 30Enhanced penalty after previous conviction
  5. 31Offences by companies
  6. 32Cognizance of offence
  7. 33Limitation of prosecutions

Chapter XI Chapter XI →

  1. 34Bar of jurisdiction of civil courts
  2. 35Power to take evidence on oath, etc
  3. 36Recovery of money due from employer
  4. 37Power to recover damages
  5. 38Recovery of money due from head workers
  6. 39Effect of laws and agreement inconsistent with this Act and schemes
  7. 40Members of Board etc., to be public servants
  8. 41Power to remove difficulties
  9. 42Protection of action taken in good faith
  10. 43Power to make rules

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