By Dr. J.P. Sharma, Published by Bharat Law House Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi. Price: Rs 225/-, PP: 571

With the process of economic reforms on in the last sixteen years, the focus is currently on evolving a growth oriented approach to industrial relations, high tech oriented work culture, result-oriented compensation package for labour and management, and reorienting role and responsibilities of trade unions with guidance and legislative framework. The book under review is designed to provide such contribution to the literature in the subject. Although primarily meant as a class text for postgraduate students of Commerce, Business and Management, it is equally useful as a handy guide for corporate managers, professionals and policy framers.

The entire work has been presented in ten sections, each dealing with i) Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1952, ii) Employees’ State Insurance Act 1948, iii) Factories Act 1948, iv) Industrial Disputes Act 1947, v) Minimum Wages Act 1948, vi) Payment of Bonus Act 1965, vii) Payment of Gratuity Act 1972,viii) Payment of Wages Act 1936, ix) Trade Unions Act 1926, and x) Workmen's Compensation Act 1923. In each of these a brief historical and evolutionary background is provided to acquaint the readers with the process of step by step progress of current regulatory framework and the manner in which the basic objective of providing social security and compensation for the work to employees in the organized and not-so-organized sectors of industry, trade and business is the guide pole. A brief sketch of aims and objects of the Act and periodical amendments/extensions made therein are another feature of each set of law. Relevant judicial pronouncements and interpretations are also cited in elaborating various sections of the concerned Act.

Attention has also been paid to ensure examination-ori-ented material in the sense that examination papers of Delhi University have been given in Appendix II. Appendix I gives text of Press Release published in Times of India (New Delhi edition)dated. December 30, 2005 on labour reforms wherein the government thinking, planning and proposals for further amending labour laws is reflected along with consolidation of labour laws in the light of recommendations of various national and regional level expert committees and Commissions.

It is primarily addressed to those who wish to have a brief exposure and examination oriented material at one place. It is suggested that the author should come up with a supplement directly relevant to corporate managers (both general and functional), business and governmental functionaries and trade union leaders so that they may be able to have a first hand knowledge, guidance and inkling of the legislative framework in a socially oriented mixed economy society like ours. A brief sketch of relevant portions of economic reforms programme initiated in 1990 and subsequent years, developments in the areas of information technology, evolution and developments related to the process of globalization, international restructuring, twenty-four hour trading in economic value-ad-ditions, fast growing international franchising and joint production and marketing, regionalism and globalism supported and reflected in a variety of inter-government agreements and double tax avoidance treaties is also warranted as part of the supplement suggested above for the benefit of business professionals in interpreting the spirit and provisions of the ten labour enactments with which the book deals. Relevant references and suggestions for further/comprehensive reading and consultation should also have been provided so that those who want to do advanced work (both academic and professional consultancy) be adequately assisted in their search.