The Ministry of Labour and Employment has issued a notification on April 11th 2025 declaring that the Iron Ore Mining industry will continue to be treated as a public utility service under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 for an additional six months beginning 14th April 2025.
This decision comes as an extension of the earlier notification (S.O. 4486(E), dated 14th October 2024), which had initially granted public utility status to the industry for a six-month period ending in April 2025.
What This Means:
- The Iron Ore Mining sector is covered under Item 16 of the First Schedule to the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
- Declaring it a public utility service imposes stricter requirements for initiating strikes and mandates advance notice to prevent sudden work stoppages.
- The aim is to safeguard public interest by maintaining uninterrupted operations in this crucial sector, especially given its link to the broader industrial and infrastructure ecosystem.
