Law: Industrial Relations Ordinance, (XXIII of 1969)

Section: 25-A

(a) Industrial Relations Ordinance (XXIII of 1969)-----S. 25-A--Grievance application--Dismissal on ground of limitation--Grievance application was filed seven months after expiry of period of limitation--Only explanation given for delay was that petitioner was illiterate and that he was admitted in hospital--Prior to his admission in hospital petitioner had nearly three months to file petition but he did not care to do so--Grievance petition was hit by inordinate delay for which no explanation was offered--Petition, held, was rightly dismissed by Labour Court as time-barred.Forbes Campbell & Co. Ltd. v. Habibur Rehman 1982 S C M R 651 ref.(b) Maxim----- Ignorance of law is no excuse.Gohar Iqbal for Applicant.Iqbal Afridi for Respondents.Date of hearing: 2nd February, 1989.DECISION This revision application was filed against the order of learned Presiding Officer, Labour Court No. VI at Hyderabad, dated 26-9-1988, whereby he dismissed in limine the grievance application of the applicant on the ground of limitation. As it was a final order,, revision application could not be filed therefore, by consent of the parties, this Revision application was converted into appeal and was heard. 2. I have heard Messrs Gohar lqbal, learned Advocate for the applicant and Iqbal Afridi, learned counsel on behalf of the respondents. 3. Admittedly the order terminating the services of the appellant was passed on 6-12-1987. Admittedly the grievance notice was given on 20-12-1987, and grievance application was filed on 26-9-1988. 4. Subsection (1) of section 25-A of the Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969, requires the aggrieved worker to bring his grievance to the notice of his employer within three months of the date on which cause of such grievance arises. Under subsection (2) the employer is required to communicate his ` decision in writing to the worker within 15 days of the grievance being brought to his notice. Under subsection (4) if the employer fails to communicate his decision within the period specified in subsection (2) the worker may take the matter to t Ire Court. The provision to subsection (4) requires that a worker if so desires to take…