Explain the methods of settling industrial disputes under the Industrial Disputes Act.

1. 1 · Open in two lines. The Industrial Disputes Act (1950) provides for the prevention, investigation and settlement of industrial disputes.
2. 2 · Define an industrial dispute. Connected with employment or non-employment, terms, conditions of labour, termination or reinstatement.
3. 3 · Draw the dispute ladder. [Diagram: dispute → bargaining → conciliation → arbitration / Industrial Court → binding award]
4. 4 · Agreement-based methods.
   • Collective agreements between employers and unions, binding once gazetted.
   • Conciliation by the Commissioner of Labour.
5. 5 · Decision-based methods.
   • Voluntary arbitration with consent.
   • Compulsory arbitration or the Industrial Court on the Minister's reference.
   • Labour Tribunals for individual workmen.
6. 6 · Related laws. Registered trade unions represent workers; TEWA protects against non-disciplinary termination.
7. 7 · In Sri Lankan business. A Katunayake factory retrenching workers needs consent or the Commissioner's approval under TEWA.
8. 8 · Close in one line. The Act prefers settlement by agreement, with binding decisions as a last resort.

Scoring tip: Order the methods from 'agree' to 'decide'. The ladder diagram shows you understand the system.