The Government of Maharashtra, on April 28, 2026, issued a draft notification under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 proposing the Maharashtra Industrial Relations Rules, 2026. These draft rules aim to consolidate and replace existing frameworks, including the Industrial Disputes (Maharashtra) Rules, 1957, the Maharashtra Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Rules, 1959, and the Maharashtra Trade Unions Regulations, 1927. Stakeholders are invited to submit objections or suggestions within 45 days from publication.
The draft rules lay down preliminary provisions such as definitions, scope, and applicability across Maharashtra. They clarify the designation of “employer” in certain establishments and prescribe procedures for settlements between employers and workers, including formats, signatories, and submission requirements. Both conciliation and non-conciliation settlements must be reported, with provisions for electronic submission and maintenance of records by conciliation officers.
Further, the rules introduce detailed provisions for bipartite forums like Works Committees. These include guidelines on constitution, representation, election procedures, eligibility criteria for candidates and voters, and the role of trade unions. The framework emphasizes proportional representation, inclusion of women workers, and allows digital platforms for conducting elections, thereby promoting transparency and modernization in industrial relations mechanisms.
[Notification No. IRC-012026/C.R.06/LABOUR-2]
