In Brief
The Chennai Port Trust appealed against high court orders upholding canteen workers' claims for status as regular port trust employees with equal benefits. The workers were employed by a co-operative society running the port's canteen but sought parity with the port trust's regular staff. The Supreme Court held that where the port trust exercised substantial control over the canteen—through provision of premises, utilities, finances, and management oversight—the workers were effectively the port trust's employees. Relying on the Indian Petrochemicals precedent, the Court dismissed the appeal, finding the high court's decision on undisputed facts and documents was sound. The port trust's objection that an industrial tribunal was the proper forum was rejected as technical, given that both courts below had already decided the case on merits.
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