Authority: High Court of Judicature at Madras
Order Date: 21.08.2026
Case Overview
- Parties: Management of Dynamatic Technologies Ltd (appellant) vs. D. Sridhar (first respondent) and the Presiding Officer, 1st Additional Labour Court, Chennai (second respondent).
- Nature: Writ appeal (Clause 15 of the Letters Patent) to set aside the order dated 16.10.2023 (W.P.No.17631 of 2018) which upheld a Labour Court award for wage arrears under Section 33(C)(2) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
- Background: Due to an acute recession, employees were exempted from duty from 13.06.2014 with pay. A transfer/deputation order dated 16.07.2014 directed the employee to report to the Windmill Unit at Coimbatore for three months, offering a one‑time expense of Rs 3,000 and a deputation allowance of Rs 1,000. The employee did not report, claiming non‑payment of full wages (Rs 27,280 per month) from July 2014 to May 2015. The Additional Labour Court awarded Rs 2,83,980 covering July 2014‑May 2015.
- Management appealed, arguing the employee voluntarily refused the transfer after receiving the reminder letter on 27.10.2014 and therefore should not be entitled to wages beyond that date.
Final Outcome
- The High Court allowed the writ appeal and modified the award.
- Wage claim is restricted to the period from July 2014 to 27 Oct 2014, at Rs 27,280 per month, after deducting the salary already paid for July 2014.
- No order as to costs was made.
- The connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.
Topics: Labour Law, Wage Arrears