India: Amendment of the Industrial Disputes (Central) Rules, 1957, Payment of Bonus Rules, 1975 and Minimum Wages (Central) Rules, 1960

The Ministry of Labour and Employment in the month of February, 2019 has amended certain labour law legislations, whereby the time period for filing certain returns have been amended. The details of such amendment are as stated below.

1. Industrial Disputes Act (Central) Amendment Rules, 2019 (“ID Rules”)

   Rule 56A of the ID Rules make provision for filing an annual return by every employer in Form G1 on or before February 01 of each year on the web portal of the Indian labour department.

   Earlier every employer was under an obligation to submit a half yearly return on or before the 20^th of the month following the half year.

2. Payment of Bonus Amendment Rules, 2019 (“Bonus Rules”)

   Rule 5 of the Bonus Rules make provision for filing an annual return by every employer in Form D on or before February 01 of each year on the web portal of the Indian labour department.

   Earlier, the employer was under an obligation to file the annual return in Form D within 30 (thirty) days from the date the bonus is paid to eligible employees.

3. Minimum Wages (Central) Amendment Rules, 2019 (“Minimum Wages Rules”)

   Rules 21 (4A) of the Minimum Wages Rules make provision for filing an annual return by every employer in Form III on or before February 01 of each year on the web portal of the Indian labour department.

   Earlier, an employer was under an obligation to physically file the annual return with the labour authorities.