APPRENTICES ACT, 1961

APPRENTICES ACT, 1961

Preamble 1 - APPRENTICES ACT, 1961

   THE APPRENTICES ACT, 1961

[Act, No. 52 of 1961]

[12th December, 1961]

PREAMBLE

An Act to provide for the regulation and control of training of apprentices[1] [***] and for matters connected therewith.

Be it enacted by Parliament in the Twelfth Year of the Republic of India as follows:--

Section 1 - Short title, extent, commencement and application

(1)     This Act may be called the Apprentices Act, 1961.

(2)     It extends to the whole of India[2] [***].

(3)     It shall come into force on such date[3]as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint; and different dates may be appointed for different States.

(4)     The provisions of this Act shall not apply to?

(a)      any area or to any industry in any area unless the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette specifies that area or industry as an area or industry to which the said provisions shall apply with effect from such date as may be mentioned in the notification;

[4] [***]

[5] [(c) any such special apprenticeship scheme for imparting training to apprentices as may be notified by the Central Government in the Official Gazette.]

Section 2 - Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,--

[6] [(a) "All India Council" means the All India Council of Technical Education established by the resolution of the Government of India in the former Ministry of Education No. F. 16-10/44-E.III, dated the 30th November, 1945;]

[7] [(aa)] "apprentice" means a person who is undergoing apprenticeship training [8] [***] in pursuance of a contract of apprenticeship;

[9] [(aaa) "apprenticeship training" means a course of training in any industry or establishment undergone in pursuance of a contract of apprenticeship and under prescribed terms and conditions which may be different for different categories of apprentices;]

(b) ?"Apprenticeship Adviser" means the Central Apprenticeship Adviser appointed under sub-section (1) of section 26 or the State Apprenticeship Adviser appointed under sub-section (2) of that section;

(c) ?"Apprenticeship Council" means the Central Apprenticeship Council or the State Apprenticeship Council established under sub-section (1) of section 24;

(d) ?"Appropriate Government" means,--

(1) in relation to--

(a) the Central Apprenticeship Council, or

[10] [(aa) the Regional Boards, or

(aaa) the practical training of graduate or technician apprentices, or technician (vocational) apprentices, or]

(b) any establishment of any railway, major port, mine or oil-field, or

[11] [(bb) any establishment which is operating business or trade from different locations situated in four or more States, or]

(c) any establishment owned, controlled or managed by--

(i) the Central Government or a department of the Central Government,

(ii) a company in which not less than fifty-one per cent, of the share capital is held by the Central Government or partly by that Government and partly by one or more State Governments,

(iii) a corporation (including a co-operative society) established by or under a Central Act, which is owned, controlled or managed by the Central Government,

the Central Government;

(2) in relation to--

(a) a State Apprenticeship Council, or

(b) any establishment other than an establishment specified in sub-clause (1) of this clause,

the State Government;

[12] [(dd) "Board or State Council of Technical Education" means the Board or State Council of Technical Education established by the State Government;]

[13] [(e) "designated trade" means any trade or occupation or any subject field in engineering or non-engineering or technology or any vocational course which the Central Government, after consultation with the Central Apprenticeship Council, may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify as a designated trade for the purposes of this Act;]

(f) ?"employer" means any person who employs one or more other persons to do any work in an establishment for remuneration and includes any person entrusted with the supervision and control of employees in such establishment;

(g) ?"establishment" includes any place where any industry is carried on [14] [and where an establishment consists of different departments or have branches, whether situated in the same place or at different places, all such departments or branches shall be treated as part of that establishment;]

(h) ?"establishment in private sector" means an establishment which is not an establishment in public sector;

(i) ??"establishment in public sector" means an establishment owned, controlled or managed by--

(1) the Government or a department of the Government;

(2) a Government company as defined in section 617 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956);

(3) a corporation (including a co-operative society) established by or under a Central, Provincial or State Act, which is owned, controlled or managed by the Government;

(4) a local authority;

[15] [(j) "graduate or technician apprentice" means an apprentice who holds, or is undergoing training in order that he may hold a degree or diploma in engineering or non-engineering or technology or equivalent qualification granted by any institution recognised by the Government and undergoes apprenticeship training in any designated trade;

(k) ?"industry" means any industry or business in which any trade, occupation or subject field in engineering or non-engineering or technology or any vocational course may be specified as a designated trade or optional trade or both;]

(l) ??"National Council" means the National Council for Training in Vocational Trades established by the resolution of the Government of India in the Ministry of Labour (Directorate General of Resettlement and Employment) No. TR/E.P.24/56, dated the 21st August, 1956 2[and re-named as the National Council for Vocational Training by the resolution of the Government of India in the Ministry of Labour (Directorate-General of Employment and Training) No. DGET/12/21/80-TC, dated the 30th September, 1981];

[16] [(ll) "optional trade" means any trade or occupation or any subject field in engineering or non-engineering or technology or any vocational course as may be determined by the employer for the purposes of this Act;

(lll) ?"portal-site" means a website of the Central Government for exchange of information under this Act;]

(m) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

[17] [(mm) "Regional Board" means any Board of Apprenticeship Training registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860) at Bombay, Calcutta, Madras or Kanpur;]

(n) ??"State" includes a Union territory;

(o)?? ?"State Council" means a State Council for Training in Vocational Trades established by the State Government;

(p)? ?"State Government" in relation to a Union territory means the Administrator thereof;

[18] [(PP) "Technician (vocational) apprentice" means an apprentice who holds or is undergoing training in order that he may hold a certificate in vocational course involving two years of study after the completion of the secondary stage of school education recognised by the All-India Council and undergoes apprenticeship training in any [19] [designated trade];]

[20] [(q) "trade apprentice" means an apprentice who undergoes apprenticeship training in any designated trade;

(r) ?"worker" means any person working in the premises of the employer, who is employed for wages in any kind of work either directly or through any agency including a contractor and who gets his wages directly or indirectly from the employer but shall not include an apprentice referred to in clause (aa).]

Section 3 - Qualification for being engaged as an apprentice

A person shall not be qualified for being engaged as an apprentice to undergo apprenticeship training in any designated trade, unless he--

[(a) ?is not less than fourteen years of age, and for designated trades related to hazardous industries, not less than eighteen years of age; and]

(b) ??satisfies such standards of education and physical fitness as may be prescribed:

Provided that different standards may be prescribed in relation to apprenticeship training in different designated trades[21] [and for different categories of apprentices].

Section 3A - Reservation of training places for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in designated trades

[22] [3A. Reservation of training places for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in designated trades

(1)     In every designated trade, training places shall be reserved by the employer for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes [23] [and where there is more than one designated trade in an establishment, such training places shall be reserved also on the basis of the total number of apprentices in all the designated trades in such establishment.]

(2)     The number of training places to be reserved for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes under sub-section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed, having regard to the population of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in the State concerned.

Explanation.--In this section, the expressions "Scheduled Castes" and "Scheduled Tribes" shall have the meanings as in clauses (24) and (25) of article 366 of the Constitution.]

Section 3B - Reservation of training places for Other Backward Classes in designated trades

[24] [3B. Reservation of training places for Other Backward Classes in designated trades

(1)     In every designated trade, training places shall be reserved by the employer for the Other Backward Classes and where there is more than one designated trade in an establishment, such training places shall be reserved also on the basis of the total number of apprentices in all the designated trades in such establishment.

(2)     The number of training places to be reserved for the Other Backward Classes under sub-section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed, having regard to the population of the Other Backward Classes in the State concerned.]

Section 4 - Contract of apprenticeship

[25] [4. Contract of apprenticeship

(1)     No person shall be engaged as an apprentice to undergo apprenticeship training in a designated trade unless such person or, if he is a minor, his guardian has entered into a contract of apprenticeship with the employer.

(2)     The apprenticeship training shall be deemed to have commenced on the date on which the contract of apprenticeship has been entered into under sub-section (1).

(3)     Every contract of apprenticeship may contain such terms and conditions as may be agreed to by the parties to the contract:

Provided that no such term or condition shall be inconsistent with any provision of this Act or any rule made there under.

[26] [(4) Every contract of apprenticeship entered into under sub-section (1) shall be sent by the employer within thirty days to the Apprenticeship Adviser until a portal-site is developed by the Central Government, and thereafter the details of contract of apprenticeship shall be entered on the portal-site within seven days, for verification and registration.

(4A) In the case of objection in the contract of apprenticeship, the Apprenticeship Adviser shall convey the objection to the employer within fifteen days from the date of its receipt.

(4B) The Apprenticeship Adviser shall register the contract of apprenticeship within thirty days from the date of its receipt.]

[27] [***]

(6) ??Where the Central Government, after consulting the Central Apprenticeship Council, makes any rule varying the terms and conditions of apprenticeship training, of any category of apprentices undergoing such training, then, the terms and conditions of every contract of apprenticeship relating to that category of apprentices and subsisting immediately before the making of such rule shall be deemed to have been modified accordingly.]

Section 5 - Novation of contract of apprenticeship

Where an employer with whom a contract of apprenticeship has been entered into, is for any reason, unable to fulfil his obligations under the contract and with the approval of the Apprenticeship Adviser it is agreed between the employer, the apprentice or his guardian and any other employer that the apprentice shall be engaged as an apprentice under the other employer for the unexpired portion of the period of apprenticeship training, the agreement, on registration with the Apprenticeship Adviser, shall be deemed to be the contract of apprenticeship between the apprentice or his guardian and the other employer, and on and from the date of such registration, the contract of apprenticeship with the first employer shall terminate and no obligation under that contract shall be enforceable at the instance of any party to the contract against the other party thereto.

Section 5A - Regulation of optional trade

[28] [5A. Regulation of optional trade.--

The qualification, period of apprenticeship training, holding of test, grant of certificate and other conditions relating to the apprentices in optional trade shall be such as may be prescribed.]

Section 5B - Engagement of apprentices from other States

[29] [5B. Engagement of apprentices from other States.--

The employer may engage apprentices from other States for the purpose of providing apprenticeship training to the apprentices.]

Section 6 - Period of apprenticeship training

The period of apprenticeship training, which shall be specified in the contract of apprenticeship, shall be as follows:--

(a)      in the case of [30] [trade apprentices] who, having undergone institutional training in a school or other institution recognised by the National Council, have passed the trade tests[31] [or examinations] conducted by [32] [that Council or by an institution recognised by that Council], the period of apprenticeship training shall be such as may be [33] [prescribed];

[34] [(aa) in the case of trade apprentices who, having undergone institutional training in a school or other institution affiliated to or recognised by a Board or State Council of Technical Education or any other authority or courses approved under any scheme which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette specify in this behalf, have passed the trade tests or examinations conducted by that Board or State Council or authority or by any other agency authorised by the Central Government, the period of apprenticeship training shall be such as may be prescribed;]

(b)? ?in the case of other [35] [trade apprentices], the period of apprenticeship training shall be such as may be prescribed;

[36] [(c) in the case of graduate or technician apprentices[37] [technician (vocational) apprentices], the period of apprenticeship training shall be such as may be prescribed.]

[STATE AMENDMENTS

[Rajasthan

[38] [In Section 6

For the existing clause (b) of Sec. 6, the following shall be substituted, namely:--

"(b) in the case of other apprentices, the period of apprenticeship training shall be such as may be prescribed by State Apprenticeship Council;".]

[Maharashtra

[39] [In section 6 of the Apprentices Act, 1961 (Act No. 52 of 1961), in its application to the State of Maharashtra (hereinafter referred to as "the principal Act"), for the existing clause (b), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:--

"(b) in the case of other apprentices, the period of apprenticeship training shall be such as may be specified by the State Apprenticeship Council;]

Section 7 - Termination of apprenticeship contract

(1)     The contract of apprenticeship shall terminate on the expiry of the period of apprenticeship training.

(2)     Either party to a contract of apprenticeship may make an application to the Apprenticeship Adviser for the termination of the contract, and when such application is made, shall send by post a copy thereof to the other party to the contract.

(3)     After considering the contents of the application and the objections, if any, filed by the other party, the Apprenticeship Adviser may, by order in writing, terminate the contract if he is satisfied that the parties to the contract or any of them have or has failed to carry out the terms and conditions of the contract and that it is desirable in the interests of the parties or any of them to terminate the same:

Provided that where a contract is terminated--

(a)      for failure on the part of the employer to carry out the terms and conditions of the contract, the employer shall pay to the apprentice such compensation as may be prescribed;

(b)      for such failure on the part of the apprentice the apprentice or his guardian shall refund to the employer as cost of training such amount as may be determined by the Apprenticeship Adviser.

[40] [(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this act, where a contract of apprenticeship has been terminated by the Apprenticeship Adviser before the expiry of the period of apprenticeship training and a new contract of apprenticeship is being entered into with a new employer, the Apprenticeship Adviser may, if he is satisfied that the contract of apprenticeship with the previous employer could not be completed because of any lapse on the part of the previous employer, permit the period of apprenticeship training already undergone by the apprentice with his previous employer to be included in the period of apprenticeship training to be undertaken with the new employer.]

[STATE AMENDMENTS

[Rajasthan

[41] [In Section 7

For the existing proviso to sub-sec. (3) of Sec. 7 of the principal Act, the following shall be substituted, namely:--

"Provided that where a contract is terminated--

(a)      for failure on the part of the employer to carry out the terms and conditions of the contract, the employer shall pay to the apprentice such compensation as may be determined by the State Apprenticeship Adviser;

(b)      for such failure on the part of the apprentice, the apprentice shall refund to the employer as cost of training, such amount as may be determined by the State Apprenticeship Adviser.".]

[Maharashtra

[42] [In section 7 of the principal Act, in sub-section (3), for the existing proviso, the following proviso shall be substituted, namely:--

"Provided that, where a contract is terminated--

(a)      for failure on the part of the employer to carry out the terms and conditions of the contract, the employer shall pay to the apprentice one month's stipend for which he is entitled as a compensation;

(b)      for such failure on the part of the apprentice, the apprentice or his guardian shall refund to the employer as cost of training one month's stipend for which he is entitled.]

Section 8 - Number of apprentices for a designated trade and optional trade

[43] [8. Number of apprentices for a designated trade and optional trade.

(1)     The Central Government shall prescribe the number of apprentices to be engaged by the employer for designated trade and optional trade.

(2)     Several employers may join together either themselves or through an agency, approved by the Apprenticeship Adviser, according to the guidelines issued from time to time by the Central Government in this behalf, for the purpose of providing apprenticeship training to the apprentices under them.]

[STATE AMENDMENTS

[Rajasthan

[44] [In Section 8

The following shall be substituted, namely:--

"8. Number of apprentices for a designated trade.--

(1)     The State Government shall, after consulting the State Apprenticeship Council, by order notified in the Official Gazette, determine for each designated trade the ratio of trade apprentices to workers other than unskilled workers in that trade:

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall be deemed to prevent any employer from engaging a number of trade apprentices in excess of the ratio determined under this sub-section.

(2)     In determining the ratio under sub-sec. (1), the State Government shall have regard to the facilities available for apprenticeship training under this Act in the designated trade concerned as well as to the facilities that may have to be made available by an employer for the training of graduate or technician apprentices or technician (vocational) apprentices, if any, in pursuance of a notice issued to him under sub-sec. (3A) by the State Apprenticeship Adviser or such other person referred to in that sub-section.

(3)     The State Apprenticeship Adviser may, by notice in writing, require an employer to engage such number of trade apprentices within the ratio determined by the State Government for any designated trade in his establishment, to undergo apprenticeship training in that trade and the employer shall comply with such requisition:

Provided that in making any requisition under this sub-section, the State Apprenticeship Adviser shall have regard to the facilities actually available in the establishment concerned:

Provided further that the State Apprenticeship Adviser may, on a representation made to him by an employer and keeping in view the more realistic employment potential, training facilities and other relevant factors, permit him to engage such number of apprentices for a designated trade as is lesser than the number arrived at by the ratio for that trade, not being lesser than thirty per cent of the number so arrived at, subject to the condition that the employer shall engage apprentices in other trades in excess in number equivalent to such shortfall.

(3A) The State Apprenticeship Adviser or any other person not below the rank of an Assistant Apprenticeship Adviser authorised by the State Apprenticeship Adviser in writing in this behalf shall, having regard to--

(i) the number of managerial person (including technical and supervisory persons) employed in a designated trade;

(ii) the number of management trainees engaged in the establishment;

(iii) the totality of the training facilities available in a designated trade; and

(iv) such other factors as he may consider fit in the circumstances of the case;

by notice in writing, require an employer to impart training to such number of graduate or technician apprentices or technician (vocational) apprentices in such trade in his establishment as may be specified in such notice and the employer shall comply with Such requisition.

Explanation.--

In this sub-section the expression "management trainee" means a person who is engaged by an employer for undergoing a course of training in the establishment of the employer (not being apprenticeship training under this Act) subject to the condition that on successful completion of such training, such person shall be employed by the employer on a regular basis.

(4) ??Several employers may join together for the purpose of providing practical training to the apprentices under them by moving them between their respective establishments.

(5) ??Where, having regard to the public interest, a number of apprentices in excess of the ratio determined by the State Government or in, excess of the number specified in a notice issued under sub-sec. (3A) should in the opinion of the State Government be trained, the State Apprenticeship Adviser may require employers to train the additional number of apprentices.

(6) ??Every employer to whom such requisition as aforesaid is made, shall comply with the requisition if the State Government concerned makes available such additional facilities and such additional financial assistance as are considered necessary by the State Apprenticeship Adviser for the training of the additional number of apprentices.

(7) ??Any employer not satisfied with the decision of the State Apprenticeship Adviser under sub-sec. (6), may make a reference to the State Apprenticeship Council and such reference shall be decided by a Committee thereof appointed by the State Apprenticeship Council for the purpose and the decision of that Committee shall be final.".]

 [Maharashtra

[45] [In section 8 of the principal Act, after the existing sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:--

"(1A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the establishment shall have to engage trade apprentices to the extent of minimum 2.5 per cent. and maximum 25 per cent. of the total strength of the employees of establishment including contractual or daily wages or whose services have been available through third party in any designated trades or optional trades for which activities are carried out in that establishment.]

Section 9 - Practical and basic training of apprentices

[46] [(1) Every employer shall make suitable arrangements in his workplace for imparting a course of practical training to every apprentice engaged by him.]

(2) [47] [The Central Apprenticeship Adviser or any other person not below the rank of an Assistant Apprenticeship Adviser authorised by the Central Apprenticeship Adviser in writing in this behalf] shall be given all reasonable facilities for access to each such apprentice with a view to test his work and to ensure that the practical training is being imparted in accordance with the approved programme:

Provided that [48] [the State Apprenticeship Adviser or any other person not below the rank of an Assistant Apprenticeship Adviser authorised by the State Apprenticeship Adviser in writing in this behalf] shall also be given such facilities in respect of apprentices undergoing training in establishments in relation to which the appropriate Government is the State Government.

[49] [(3) Such of the trade apprentices who have not undergone institutional training in a school or other institution recognised by the National Council or any other institution affiliated to or recognised by a Board or State Council of Technical Education or any other authority which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf, shall, before admission in the workplace for practical training, undergo a course of basic training and the course of basic training shall be given to the trade apprentices in any institute having adequate facilities.]

(4) ??Where an employer employs in his establishment five hundred or more workers, the basic training shall be imparted to [50] [the trade apprentices] either in separate parts of the workshop building or in a separate building which shall be set up by the employer himself, but the appropriate Government may grant loans to the employer on easy terms and repayable by easy instalments to meet the cost of the land, construction and equipment for such separate building.

[51] [***]

[52] [(7) In the case of an apprentice other than a graduate or technician apprentice or technician (vocational) apprentice, the syllabus of and the equipment to be utilised for, practical training including basic training in any designated trade shall be such as may be approved by the Central Government in consultation with the Central Apprenticeship Council.

(7A) ?In the case of graduate or technician apprentices or technician (vocational) apprentices, the programme of apprenticeship training and the facilities required for such training in any designated trade shall be such as may be approved by the Central Government in consultation with the Central Apprenticeship Council.";]

(8)?? (a) Recurring costs (including the cost of stipends) incurred by an employer in connection with [53] [[54] [basic training] imparted to trade apprentices other than those referred to in clauses (a) and (aa)] of section 6 shall be borne--

(i)       if such employer employs [55] [two hundred and fifty] workers or more, by the employer;

(ii)      if such employer employs less than [56] [two hundred and fifty] workers, by the employer and the Government in equal shares up to such limit as may be laid down by the Central Government and beyond that limit, by the employer alone; and

(b) Recurring costs (including the cost of stipends) if any, incurred by an employer in connection with [57] [practical training including basic training, imparted to trade apprentices referred to in clauses (a) and (aa)] of section 6 shall, in every case, be borne by the employer;

[58] [(c) Recurring costs (excluding the cost of stipends) incurred by an employer in connection with the practical training imparted to graduate or technician apprentices [59] [technician (vocational) apprentices] shall be borne by the employer and the cost of stipends shall be borne by the Central Government and the employer in equal shares up to such limits as may be laid down by the Central Government and beyond that limits by the employer alone [60] [except apprentices who holds degree or diploma in non-engineering].]

[Rajasthan

[61] [In Section 9

(i)       for the existing sub-section (1), the following shall be substituted, namely:--

"(1) Every employer shall, make suitable arrangements in his establishment or, outsource the same to a suitable third party training provider for imparting a course of practical training to every apprentice engaged by it in accordance with the programme approved by the State Apprenticeship Adviser."; and

(ii)      for the existing sub-clauses (i) and (ii) of clause (a) of sub-sec. (8), the following shall be substituted, namely:--

"(i) if such employer employs two hundred and fifty workers or more, by the employer and the Government in equal shares up to such a limit as may be laid down by the State Government and such amount shall be reimbursed by the State Government in each case of completion of successful training by the apprentice;

(ii) if such employer employs less than two hundred and fifty workers, by the State Government alone and such amount up to such a limit as may be laid down by the State Government shall be reimbursed by the State Government, and beyond that limit by the employer in each case of completion of successful training by the apprentice; and".]

Section 10 - Related instruction of apprentices

 (1)[62] [A trade apprentice] who is undergoing practical training in an establishment shall, during the period of practical training, be given a course of related instruction (which shall be appropriate to the trade) approved by the Central Government in consultation with the Central Apprenticeship Council, with a view to giving [63] [the trade apprentice] such theoretical knowledge as he needs in order to become fully qualified as a skilled craftsman.

[64] [(2) Related instruction shall be imparted at the cost of employer and the employer shall, when so required, afford all facilities for imparting such instruction.]

(3)? ?any time spent by [65] [a trade apprentice] in attending classes on related instruction shall be treated as part of his paid period of work.

[66] [(4) In the case of trade apprentices who, after having undergone a course of institutional training, have passed the trade tests conducted by the National Council or have passed the trade tests and examinations conducted by a Board or State Council of Technical Education or any other authority which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf the related instruction may be given on such reduced or modified scale as may be prescribed.

(5) ??Where any person has, during his course in a technical institution, become a graduate or technician apprentice [67] [technician (vocational) apprentice] and during his apprenticeship training he has to receive related instruction, then, the employer shall release such person from practical training to receive the related instruction in such institution, for such period as may be specified by the Central Apprenticeship Adviser or by any other person not below the rank of an Assistant Apprenticeship Adviser authorised by the Central Apprenticeship Adviser in writing in this behalf.]

Section 11 - Obligations of employers

 Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Act every employer shall have the following obligations in relation to an apprentice, namely:--

(a)      to provide the apprentice with the training in his trade in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and the rules made there under;

(b)      if the employer is not himself qualified in the trade, to ensure that a person[68] [who possesses the prescribed qualifications] is placed in charge of the training of the apprentice;[69] [***]

[70] [(bb) to provide adequate instructional staff, possessing such qualifications as may be prescribed for imparting practical and theoretical training and facilities for trade test of apprentices; and] (c) to carry out his obligations under the contract of apprenticeship.

Section 12 - Obligations of apprentices

[71] [(1)] [72] [Every trade apprentice] undergoing apprenticeship training shall have the following obligations, namely:--

(a)      to learn his trade conscientiously and diligently and endeavour to qualify himself as a skilled craftsman before the expiry of the period of training;

(b)      to attend practical and instructional classes regularly;

(c)      to carry out all lawful orders of his employer and superiors in the establishment; and

(d)      to carry out his obligations under the contract of apprenticeship.

[73] [(2) Every graduate or technician apprentice [74] [technician (vocational) apprentice] undergoing apprenticeship training shall have the following obligations, namely :--

(a)      to learn his subject field in engineering or technology [75] [or vocational course] conscientiously and diligently at his place of training;

(b)      to attend the practical and instructional classes regularly;

(c)      to carry out all lawful orders of his employer and superiors in the establishment;

(d)      to carry out his obligations under the contract of apprenticeship which shall include the maintenance of such records of his work as may be prescribed.]

Section 13 - Payment to apprentices

(1)     The employer shall pay to every apprentice during the period of apprenticeship training such stipend at a rate not less than the[76] [prescribed minimum rate, or the rate which was being paid by the employer on 1st January, 1970 to the category of apprentices under which such apprentice falls, whichever is higher,] as may be specified in the contract of apprenticeship and the stipend so specified shall be paid at such intervals and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.

[77] [(2) ?An apprentice shall not be paid by his employer on the basis of piece work nor shall he be required to take part in any output bonus or other incentive scheme.]

[STATE AMENDMENTS

[Rajasthan

[78] [In Section 13

The following shall be substituted, namely:--

"13. Payment to apprentices.--

The employer shall pay to every apprentice during the period of apprenticeship training such stipend at a rate not less than the minimum wages notified by State Government under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (Central Act No. 11 of 1948) for unskilled worker category, as may be specified in the contract of apprenticeship and the stipend so specified shall be paid at such intervals and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.".]

[Maharashtra

[79] [In section 13 of the principal Act, after the existing sub-section (1), the following sub-sections shall be inserted, namely:--

"(1A) The minimum rate of stipend per month payable to trade apprentices who do training for eight hours per day shall be as follows, namely:--

(1B) The trade apprentices who do training for minimum four hours per day, the rate of stipend per month shall be fifty per cent. of the rates mentioned in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of sub-section (1A), respectively:

Provided that, in the case where the minimum rate of wage for a trade is not notified by the State, then the maximum of minimum wages of the Scheduled Employment notified by the State for semi-skilled workers shall be taken into account for paying the stipend in respect of that trade:

Provided further that, in the case of trade apprentices referred to in clause (a) of section 6 of the Act, the period of training already undergone by them in a school or other institution recognised by the State Council, shall be taken into account for the purpose of determining the rate of stipend payable.]

Section 14 - Health, safety and welfare of apprentices

Where any apprentices are undergoing training in a factory, the provisions of Chapter III, IV and V of the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948), shall apply in relation to the health, safety and welfare of the apprentices as if they were workers within the meaning of that Act and when any apprentices are undergoing training in a mine, the provisions of Chapter V of the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952), shall apply in relation to the health and safety of the apprentices as if they were persons employed in the mine. 

[STATE AMENDMENTS

[Rajasthan

[80] [In Section 14

The following shall be substituted, namely:--

"14. Health, safety and welfare of apprentices.--

Where any apprentices are undergoing training in a factory, the provisions of Chapters III, IV and V of the Factories Act, 1948 (Central Act No. 63 of 1948), shall apply in relation to the health, safety and welfare of the apprentices as if they were workers within the meaning of that Act and when any apprentices are undergoing training in a mine, the provisions of Chapter V of the Mines Act, 1952 (Central Act No. 35 of 1952), shall apply in relation to the health, safety and welfare of the apprentices as if they were persons employed in the mine and when any apprentices are undergoing training in a shop or commercial establishment, the provisions of the Rajasthan Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958 (Act No. 31 of 1958), shall apply in relation to the health, safety and welfare of the apprentices as if they were persons employed in the shop or establishment.".]

Section 15 - Hours of work, overtime, leave and holidays

[81] [(1) The weekly and daily hours of work of an apprentice while undergoing practical training in a workplace shall be as determined by the employer subject to the compliance with the training duration, if prescribed.]

(2) ??No apprentice shall be required or allowed to work overtime except with the approval of the Apprenticeship Adviser who shall not grant such approval unless he is satisfied that such overtime is in the interest of the training of the apprentice or in the public interest.

[82] [(3) An apprentice shall be entitled to such leave and holidays as are observed in the establishment in which he is undergoing training.]

Section 16 - Employer's liability for compensation for injury

If personal injury is caused to an apprentice by accident arising out of and in the course of his training as an apprentice, his employer shall be liable to pay compensation which shall be determined and paid, so far as may be, in accordance with the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923 (8 of 1923), subject to the modification specified in the Schedule.

Section 17 - Conduct and discipline

In all matters of conduct and discipline, the apprentice shall be governed by the rules and regulations[83] [applicable to employees of the corresponding category] in the establishment in which the apprentice is undergoing training.

Section 18 - Apprentices are trainees and not workers

 Save as otherwise provided in this Act,--

(a)      every apprentice undergoing apprenticeship training in a designated trade in an establishment shall be a trainee and not a worker; and

(b)      the provisions of any law with respect to labour shall not apply to or in relation to such apprentice.

Section 19 - Records and returns

(1)     Every employer shall maintain records of the progress of training of each apprentice undergoing apprenticeship training in his establishment in such form as may be prescribed.

[84] [(2) Until a portal-site is developed by the Central Government, every employer shall furnish such information and return in such form as may be prescribed, to such authorities at such intervals as may be prescribed.

(3) ??Every employer shall also give trade-wise requirement and engagement of apprentices in respect of apprenticeship training on portal-site developed by the Central Government in this regard.]

Section 20 - Settlement of disputes

(1)     Any disagreement or dispute between an employer and an apprentice arising out of the contract of apprenticeship shall be referred to the Apprenticeship Adviser for decision.

(2)     Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Apprenticeship Adviser under subsection (1) may, within thirty days from the date of communication to him of such decision, prefer an appeal against the decision to the Apprenticeship Council and such appeal shall be heard and determined by a Committee of that Council appointed for the purpose.

(3)     The decision of the Committee under sub-section (2) and subject only to such decision, the decision of the Apprenticeship Adviser under sub-section (1) shall be final.

Section 21 - Holding of test and grant of certificate and conclusion of training

[85] [(1) Every trade apprentice who has completed the period of training may appear for a test to be conducted by the National Council or any other agency authorised by the Central Government to determine his proficiency in the designated trade in which he has undergone apprenticeship training.]