Trigger
Document the fact pattern that activates section 2: definitions.
Section 2 — Definitions
Provision-level interpretation, linked Central Rules, authority, forms, evidence and consequence map. Always read the official provision for exact words.
Statutory identity
Definition map — clause by clause
appellate authorityApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
appropriate GovernmentApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
arbitratorApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
average payApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
awardApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
banking companyApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
certifying officerApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
closureApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
conciliation officerApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
conciliation proceedingApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
controlled industryApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
employeeApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
employerApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
executiveApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
fixed term employmentApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
industryApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
industrial disputeApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
industrial establishment or undertakingApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
insurance companyApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
lay-offApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
lock-outApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
major portApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
metro railwayApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
mineApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
National Industrial TribunalApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
negotiating union or negotiating councilApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
notificationApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
office-bearerApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
prescribedApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
railwayApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
registered officeApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
registered Trade UnionApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
RegistrarApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
retrenchmentApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
settlementApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
standing ordersApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
strikeApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
Trade UnionApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
Trade Union disputeApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
TribunalApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
unfair labour practiceApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
unorganised sectorApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
wagesApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
workerApply the exact clause before using this term in coverage, threshold, remedy or penalty analysis.
Clause and operative provision map
Test 1
Apply definitions before every coverage, threshold or entitlement test. Critical distinctions include employee versus worker, employer, industry, industrial establishment, fixed-term employment, strike, lay-off, retrenchment and wages.
Test 2
The worker definition includes a supervisory wage ceiling stated in the Code and excludes persons mainly managerial/administrative; verify the current notified ceiling before classification.
Test 3
Fixed-term employment requires a written contract and parity of hours, wages, allowances and benefits with comparable permanent workers, subject to the Code.
Implementation control
Coverage and jurisdiction
Record worker/employee status, establishment, appropriate Government, threshold and territorial authority.
Decision owner
Assign HR/ER, legal, payroll/finance and authorised signatory roles; no action should depend on an undocumented oral decision.
Evidence pack
Keep notices, acknowledgements, muster/membership records, resolutions, calculations, hearing records, orders and bank/portal proof relevant to this section.
State overlay
Where the State Government is appropriate, verify final State rules, notifications and authorities; Central Rules are not automatically the entire answer.
Remedy and consequence
Use the Code forum, appeal/recovery/permission route and section 86 penalty matrix. Check unfair-labour-practice implications separately.
Linked Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2026
Authority, notification and form map
Worked control example
An establishment proposes an action connected with definitions. The legal owner first fixes the appropriate Government and coverage threshold, opens the official section and linked rules, creates a dated evidence file, serves the prescribed notice/form, records the hearing or consultation, and releases the decision only after the statutory waiting/permission condition is met. The file separately checks section 84 unfair labour practices and section 86 penalties.
Practical questions
Can an internal HR policy replace this section?
No. A policy may operationalise the provision but cannot reduce a statutory, certified-standing-order, settlement or award right.
Is the Central Rule always enough?
No. Identify the appropriate Government and check final State rules, authority notifications, exemptions and later amendments.
What evidence should be retained?
Retain source law, coverage memo, approvals, notices and delivery, worker/union records, calculations, hearing material, order, portal filing and implementation proof.