HC dismisses Bajaj workers’ petitions

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The Bombay High Court, Aurangabad Bench, has dismissed petitions filed by temporary workers of Bajaj Auto Ltd. opposing a settlement with the management. However, Justice S.G. Chapalgaonkar, in an order dated April 25, 2026, granted liberty to challenge the Industrial Tribunal’s award dated November 8, 2023, through appropriate legal remedies.

Background

Workers employed since 1990 were allegedly given work for seven months at a time before termination. Around 1,525 temporary workers, through the Indian Labour Kranti Sanghatana, approached the Labour Commissioner in 2023 seeking reinstatement and compensation. As no settlement was reached, the case was referred to the Industrial Tribunal. The union cited the Supreme Court judgment in Bajaj Auto Ltd. vs Rajendra Kumar Kathar and Others and sought compensation. The management agreed to a settlement of Rs 13.31 crore for 1,017 workers, and an interim award was passed by judge S.S. Maudekar. Of these, 850 workers accepted compensation and the union was dissolved as per settlement terms. However, 99 workers refused the settlement and sought individual proceedings, which were rejected by the tribunal. They then approached the High Court. The petitioners were represented by Advocate Sandeep Rajebhosale.