In Brief
The appellant, a casual labourer engaged at an agricultural farm from 1980–1991, abandoned work and sought reinstatement 14 years later. The Industrial Tribunal awarded reinstatement with seniority but without back wages. The High Court set aside this Award, and the appellant appealed to the Supreme Court. The Court held that under Section 25B of the Industrial Disputes Act, a workman must complete 240 days of work in the 12 calendar months immediately preceding dismissal to qualify for retrenchment protections under Section 25F. The appellant worked only 195 days in 1990 and 19.5 days in 1991—the year of dismissal—falling short of the requirement. Therefore, he was not entitled to reinstatement benefits. The appeal was dismissed.
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