Vidhi Codex

THE KERALA ESSENTIAL SERVICES MAINTENANCE ACT, 1994

The KERALA ESSENTIAL SERVICES MAINTENANCE ACT, 1994

General19949 sections

The Kerala Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1994, regulates strikes in key sectors to ensure the community's normal life is not disrupted. It applies to employees and transporters in government declared essential services, such as public utility, safety, and supply distribution. Under this law, the state government can ban strikes for up to three months. This matters because participating in, instigating, or funding these banned strikes is a serious criminal offense. Violators face arrest without a warrant, denial of bail, and penalties of up to six months in prison, prioritizing public welfare over labor strike actions.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 0. Preamble
  2. 1. Short title, extent and commencement.
  3. 2. Definitions.
  4. 3. Power to prohibit strikes in essential services.
  5. 4. Penalty for illegal strikes.
  6. 5. Penalty for instigation, etc.
  7. 6. Offences to be cognizable and non-bailable.
  8. 7. Offences to be tried summarily.
  9. 8. Repeal and saving.

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