The Government of West Bengal (WB), on July 13, 2026, published the Draft West Bengal Industrial Relations Rules, 2026 to operationalise the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 in the State. The draft rules prescribe the framework for trade union registration, recognition of negotiating unions and negotiating councils, standing orders, dispute resolution, lay-off, retrenchment, closure, voluntary arbitration, and compounding of offences. [Draft West Bengal Industrial Relations Rules, 2026]
The draft also introduces a comprehensive set of statutory forms and procedures relating to trade union registration, changes in union particulars, certification of standing orders, notices of change in service conditions, arbitration proceedings, recognition of state-level unions, notices and applications for lay-off, retrenchment and closure, and maintenance of statutory registers.
The proposed rules are intended to provide the procedural framework for implementation of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 in West Bengal and will govern employers, workers, trade unions, industrial establishments, and labour authorities upon final notification. Stakeholders may review the draft rules and submit comments before they are finalised.
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