Industrial Relations Act, 2012 — section 23

23. Shop steward..—(1) In every factory/establishment in which twenty-five or more workmen are employed, shop stewards, from amongst the workmen in a shop, Section or department of the factory/establishment, shall,

(a)where there is a collective bargaining agent in the factory/establishment, be nominated by it, or

(b)where there is no collective bargaining agent in the factory/establishment, be elected at a secret ballot held in the prescribed manner.

(2)The employer shall provide all such facilities in his factory/ establishment as may be required for the holding of a ballot under sub-section (1) but shall not interfere with, or in any way influence, the voting.

(3)A shop steward shall hold office for a period of one year from date of his election or nomination as the case may be.

(4)Any dispute arising out of, or in connection with, the election of a shop steward shall be referred to the Registrar whose decision shall be final and binding on all parties to the dispute.