LAHORE, Nov 2: The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Labour recommended on Tuesday 10 measures for the new labour law that the decision of labour disputes be made in 90 days and labour courts be authorised to issue interim (stay) orders in the meantime.

Labour, a federal subject, has recently been transferred to provinces under the 18th Amendment. Following that the Punjab government had promulgated the Industrial Relations Ordinance in June this year to give legal cover to all labour-related activities, and submitted it to the Punjab Assembly for legislation.

Official sources informed Dawn after the marathon meeting of the standing committee that as per the federal labour law, the courts were bound to decide labour disputes in seven days and there was no provision for issuing interim orders.

The committee declared that deciding labour disputes in seven days was not possible and the time-limit would impact the judicious disposal of such cases.

Sources said the committee recommended that the law also empowered the labour courts to have their orders implemented. This is also a new provision. The committee also recommended appointment of one registrar unlike two in the past.

It also recommended that the law provided for the establishment of a forum consisting of representatives of employees and employers at every workplace so as to allow amicable resolution of all disputes at the local level. This would also reduce unnecessary burden on labour courts.

Sources said after receiving the draft law for consideration, the committee had held lengthy discussions with labour judges, lawyers, employers and labour leaders to seek their opinion on the subject. This was done to provide every quarter ample representation and ensure enactment of a law acceptable to all.

After the consultations, at least 50 recommendations were drafted which were being submitted to the committee for consideration and a final decision.