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Kiribati Consolidated Legislation |
(Repealed by the Industrial Relations Code 1998)
LAWS OF THE GILBERT ISLANDS
REVISED EDITION 1977
CHAPTER 45
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title
2. Interpretation
PART II
PROCEDURE FOR SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
3. Reporting of trade disputes
4. Powers of Minister on report of trade dispute
5. Further action by Minister
PART III
CONCILIATION, ARBITRATION, SETTLEMENT AND INQUIRY IN TRADE DISPUTES
6. Conciliation
7. Arbitration tribunals
8. Procedure of tribunals
9. Awards to be final and binding
10. Tribunal's award not to conflict with any law
11. Publication of award
12. Interpretation of awards
13. Boards of inquiry
14. Incomes Commission
15. Constitution of Incomes Commission
16. Appointments to be final
17. Regulation of proceedings
18. Duties in relation to trade disputes
19. Evidence
20. Representation of parties
21. Sittings may be in public or private
PART IV
ADHERENCE TO AGREEMENTS AND AWARDS
22. Strike, lock-out or boycott unlawful where procedures are not exhausted
23. Strike, lock-out or boycott where award or agreement still in force
24. Effective date of orders
25. Offences where strike, lock-out or boycott unlawful
26. Legal presumptions
27. Prohibition of expulsion of members
PART V
PROTECTION OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES, LIFE AND PROPERTY
28. Interpretation
29. Breach and procurement of breach of contract by employee an offence
30. Breach of employee's contract not unlawful in certain circumstances
31. Printed copy of sections 29, 30 and Schedule to be displayed by employer
32. Protection of life and property
33. Minister may amend Schedule
PART VI
STRIKE BALLOTS
34. Strike ballots
PART VII
MISCELLANEOUS
35. Certain immunities not affected
36. Conclusion of collective agreements not affected
37. Liability of persons appointed under Code
38. Remuneration and expenses
39. Regulations
40. Consent of Attorney-General required for prosecutions
SCHEDULE
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An Ordinance to make provision for the settlement of trade disputes and the regulation of industrial relations, to consolidate and amend the law relating to essential services, and for matters incidental thereto and connected therewith
33 of 1974
L.N.37/75
26 of 1977
Commencement: 1st January 1975
L.N.45/74
PART I
PRELIMINARY
Short title
1. This Ordinance (hereinafter referred to as this Code) may be cited as the Industrial Relations Code.
Interpretation
2. In this Code unless the context otherwise requires-
"board" means a board of inquiry appointed under section 13;
"boycott" means the combining of persons in systematically refusing to hold or abstaining from holding relations or dealings of any kind whatsoever with any person on account of differences with such other person so as to punish him for the position he has assumed or to coerce him into abandoning that position;
"Commission" means the Incomes Commission established under section 14;
"employee" means any person who has entered into or works under a contract of service with an employer whether express or implied, whether entered into orally or in writing and whether it is a contract of service, apprenticeship or learnership or a contract personally to execute any work or labour;
"employer" means any person who has entered into a contract of service to employ any person and includes the Government;
"essential service" means any service, by whomsoever rendered and whether rendered to the Government or any other person, specified in the Schedule;
"lock-out" means the closing of a place of employment or the suspension of work or the refusal of an employer to continue to employ any number of persons employed by him done not with the intention of finally determining employment but with a view to compelling or influencing those persons, or to aid another employer in compelling or influencing persons employed by him, to do or to refrain from doing anything;
"organisation" means a trade union or other association representative of employees or employers, as the case may be;
"strike" means the cessation of work by a body of employees acting in combination, or a concerted refusal or a refusal under a common understanding of any number of employees to continue to work for an employer or to undertake particular work, done as means of compelling or influencing their employer or any employee or body of employees, or to aid other employees in compelling or influencing their employer or any employee or body of employees, to do or to refrain from doing anything and includes any interruption or slowing down of work by any number of employees acting in concert or under a common understanding (including any action commonly known as a "sit down strike" or a "go slow");
"trade dispute" means any dispute or difference whether existing or apprehended between employers and employees or between employees and employees connected with the employment or non-employment or with the terms or conditions of or affecting the employment or with the conditions of labour of any person and includes disputes regarding the dismissal or suspension of employees, allocation of work or recognition of agreements:
Provided that it shall not include any dispute or difference implicating-
(a) members of the armed forces of the Crown;
(b) members of the Gilbert Islands Police;
(c) prison officers;
(d) members of any disciplined body or organisation analogous to those specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) designated by notice by the Governor;
"trade union" means a trade union registered under the Trade Unions Ordinance;
"tribunal" means an arbitration tribunal appointed under section 7;
"unlawful" means, with reference to a strike, lock-out or boycott, declared unlawful by this Code or by the Minister thereunder.
PART II
PROCEDURE FOR SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
Reporting of trade disputes
3. (1) Any trade dispute may be reported to the Minister by or on behalf of any party to the dispute.
(2) A report of a trade dispute under this section shall be in writing addressed to the Minister and shall set out in full the matters in issue between the parties to the dispute and the steps which have been taken by the parties to obtain a settlement through any machinery for the settlement of trade disputes which may exist otherwise than by virtue of this Code.
(3) Where the Minister is of the opinion that a report of a trade dispute does not contain sufficient particulars of the matters required to be set out by subsection (2) he may require further written particulars to be given him and in that case the report shall not be deemed to have been made in accordance with this section until the Minister is satisfied that the particulars so required have been given.
(4) Every person reporting a trade dispute or giving further written particulars to the Minister under this section shall forthwith give by hand or send by registered post a true copy of the report thereof or of the written particulars to each of the other parties to the dispute.
(5) The Minister may by notice appoint persons to receive reports of trade disputes and further written particulars under this section on his behalf and every such person on receipt of such a report or such particulars shall forthwith transmit the contents thereof to the Minister by such means as he thinks most expeditious.
Powers of Minister on report of trade dispute
4. (1) The Minister shall consider every trade dispute of which a report has been made to him in accordance with section 3 and may take any one or more of the following steps as seem to him most expedient for promoting a settlement of the dispute:
(a) where he is of the opinion that any appropriate machinery for the settlement of trade disputes which may exist otherwise than by virtue of this Code has not been made use or sufficient use of by the parties to the dispute, refer the dispute back to the parties for negotiation or further negotiation and settlement through that machinery;
(b) in any event refer the dispute back to the parties and if he thinks fit make proposals to the parties or to any of them upon which a settlement of the dispute may be negotiated by them;
(c) endeavour to conciliate the parties under section 6;
(d) refer the dispute to an arbitration tribunal under section 7;
(e) refer the dispute to a board of inquiry under section 13;
(f) refer the dispute to the Incomes Commission under section 14.
(2) A decision of the Minister under subsection (1) shall be recorded in writing and shall as soon as practicable be communicated in writing by hand or by registered post to the parties to the dispute or to their representatives.
(3) Where a trade or other dispute has been reported to the Minister in compliance or purported compliance with section 3 and the Minister is of the opinion that the matters or some of the matters in issue do not constitute or form part of a trade dispute that opinion shall be recorded in writing and communicated in accordance with subsection (2).
Further action by Minister
5. (1) Where the Minister has taken a step under section 4 (1) and is informed in writing by any party to the dispute or, where a step has been taken under section 4 (1) (c), by the conciliator or chairman of the conciliation panel that settlement of the dispute has not thereby been effected he may within 7 days of being so informed inform the parties or their representatives that he intends to take a further step under section 4 (1).
(2) Where the Minister does not inform the parties or their representatives in accordance with subsection (1) that he intends to take a further step under section 4 (1) or where having done so he does not take that step the procedures prescribed by this Code for the settlement of trade disputes shall be deemed to be exhausted.
(3) The Minister may by notice appoint persons who may be informed under this section on his behalf that settlements of disputes have not been effected and every such person on being so informed shall forthwith transmit that information to the Minister by such means as he thinks most expeditious.
(4) Notwithstanding that a trade dispute has not been reported to him under section 3, the Minister may refer a trade dispute to a tribunal or the Commission under section 7 or 14 as if it had been so reported and whether or not the parties to the dispute thereto consent where he is satisfied that the dispute has jeopardised or may jeopardise the essentials of life or the livelihood of the inhabitants of the Gilbert Islands or a significant section thereof or may endanger the public safety or the life of the community.
PART III
CONCILIATION, ARBITRATION, SETTLEMENT AND INQUIRY IN TRADE DISPUTES
Conciliation
6. (1) For promoting a settlement of a trade dispute reported to him in accordance with section 3 the Minister may endeavour to conciliate the parties to the dispute by taking any one or more of the following steps-
(a) appoint a person, who may be a public officer or any other person the Minister considers suitable, to act as a conciliator;
(b) appoint a conciliation panel consisting of an independent chairman, who may be a public officer or any other person the Minister considers suitable, one or more persons representative of employers and an equal number of persons representative of employees;
(c) with the consent of the parties appoint in accordance with their wishes a conciliation panel consisting of a chairman and other members;
(d) by order determine or suspend the operation of any of the aforesaid conciliation measures.
(2) A person appointed under this section to act as a sole conciliator or as chairman of a conciliation panel shall inquire into the causes and circumstances of the trade dispute by communication with the parties thereto and shall endeavour to bring about a settlement of the dispute and shall report the outcome to the Minister.
(3) The terms of every settlement of a trade dispute effected under this section shall be set out in writing, shall be signed by or on behalf of the parties to the dispute and, where appropriate, by the conciliator or the chairman of the conciliation panel and a true copy of the text signed as aforesaid, shall be lodged with the Commissioner of Labour.
Arbitration tribunals
7. For promoting a settlement of a trade dispute reported to him in accordance with section 3 the Minister may refer the dispute to an arbitration tribunal appointed by him which shall consist of-
(a) a sole arbitrator;
(b) an arbitrator assisted by one or more assessors nominated by or on behalf of the employers concerned and an equal number of assessors nominated by or on behalf of the employees concerned or where there is a trade union by the trade union; or
(c) one or more arbitrators selected by the Minister from a panel nominated by or on behalf of the employers concerned and an equal number of arbitrators selected by the Minister from a panel nominated by or on behalf of the employees concerned or where there is a trade union by the trade union and an independent chairman.
Procedure of tribunals
8. (1) Where a tribunal is constituted in accordance with section 7 (b) any award of the tribunal shall be made and issued by the arbitrator alone and where a tribunal is constituted in accordance with section 7 (c) any award shall be made by all the members if they are in agreement and otherwise by the chairman alone.
(2) Where a tribunal is constituted in accordance with section 7 (b) or (c) and a vacancy occurs in the membership thereof the tribunal may with the consent of the parties to the dispute act notwithstanding the vacancy or the Minister may appoint another person to fill the vacancy in accordance with section 7.
(3) No act, proceeding or determination of a tribunal shall be called in question or invalidated by reason of a vacancy in its membership.
Awards to be final and binding
9. (1) Every award of a tribunal in relation to a trade dispute shall be final and shall not be liable to be challenged, reviewed, questioned or called in question in any court save on the ground of lack of jurisdiction.
(2) Any award of a tribunal in relation to a trade dispute may be made so as to have retrospective effect.
(3) Every award of a tribunal in relation to a trade dispute shall be binding on the employers and employees to whom the same relates and, as from the date of publication of such award or, where the award is made retrospective, from the date specified therein, it shall be an implied term of the contract between the employers and employees to whom the award relates that the rate of wages to be paid and the conditions of employment to be observed under the contract shall be in accordance with such award until varied by a subsequent award or by agreement.
Tribunal's award not to conflict with any law
10. Where any trade dispute referred to a tribunal involves questions as to wages, hours of work or otherwise as to the terms or conditions of or affecting employment which are regulated by or under any written law other than this Code the tribunal shall not make any award inconsistent with that written law or which is less favourable to employees than any material award or order made in pursuance thereof.
Publication of award
11. An award of a tribunal shall be transmitted in writing to all parties concerned in the arbitration proceedings to the Commissioner of Labour and to the Minister who shall as soon as practicable cause the award to be published in such manner as he thinks fit.
Interpretation of award
12. If any question arises as to the interpretation of any award of a tribunal the Minister or any party to the original dispute may apply to the tribunal for a decision on the question and the tribunal shall decide the matter after hearing the parties or without such hearing if the consent of the parties thereto has first been obtained and the determination of the tribunal shall be notified to the parties, to the Commissioner of Labour and to the Minister and shall be deemed to form part of and shall have the same effect in all respects as the original award.
Boards of Inquiry
13. (1) The Minister may at any time order an inquiry into the causes and circumstances of a trade dispute by a board of inquiry and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, may for promoting a settlement of a trade dispute reported to him in accordance with section 3 refer the dispute to such a board.
(2) A board of inquiry shall consist of a chairman and such number of other members as the Minister may determine or if he thinks fit of one person alone all of whom shall be appointed by the Minister:
Provided that where the Minister appoints members representing the interests of employers he shall appoint an equal number of members representing the interests of employees and vice versa.
(3) A report of a board and any minority report shall be submitted in writing to the Minister.
(4) The Minister may cause to be published in such manner as he may think fit any information obtained or conclusions arrived at by a board as a result or in the course of an inquiry:
Provided that there shall not be included in any report or publication made or authorised by a board or the Minister any information obtained by the board in the course of the inquiry as to any individual business, organisation or other concern whatsoever which is not available otherwise than through evidence given at the inquiry except with the consent of the secretary of the organisation or of the person or other body in question nor shall any person concerned in the inquiry disclose any such information without such consent.
(5) Any person who prints or publishes any information or who discloses any information in contravention of subsection (4) shall be liable to a fine of $500 and to imprisonment for 6 months.
Incomes Commission
14. The Minister may by order establish an Incomes Commission to whom he may refer for consideration all matters relating to levels of minimum wages, incomes, other remuneration, benefits or wage differentials or any other matter connected with any trade, industry, undertaking, public service or statutory body or any combination thereof which in the opinion of the Minister it is desirable for the Commission to consider including any trade dispute reported to him in accordance with section 3 in order to promote a settlement thereof.
Constitution of Incomes Commission
15. (1) The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Minister and shall comprise-
(a) an independent chairman; and
(b) equal numbers of persons representing the interests of employers and employees respectively.
(2) The Minister may at any time revoke the appointment of any member of the Commission so long as the numbers of members representing the interests of employers and employees respectively remain equal.
(3) Where the Minister is of the opinion that the membership specified in subsection (1) (b) is inappropriate for the consideration of a particular matter he shall appoint thereunder alternate members whom he considers suitable to consider the matter and their membership shall lapse so soon as their deliberation of the matter is concluded.
Appointments to be final
16. (1) Every appointment made by the Minister to a board or tribunal shall be final and shall not be questioned by any party to the trade dispute in question.
(2) Every appointment arising from a trade dispute made to the Commission by the Minister after consultation with the parties concerned shall be final and shall not be questioned by any party to the dispute.
Regulation of proceedings
17. Save as is expressly provided for in this Code or in any regulations made thereunder a tribunal, board or the Commission shall have all the powers of commissioners acting under the Commissions of Inquiry Ordinance and may regulate the procedure in any proceedings under this Code as he or it shall think fit.
Cap. 10
Duties in relation to trade disputes
18. All parties to a trade dispute and every person appointed under this Part shall where appropriate take into account in considering any proposed settlement, award or recommendation in respect of the dispute-
(a) the public interest;
(b) the need to maintain existing levels of employment and the desirability of raising those levels;
(c) the desirability of increasing productivity;
(d) the desirability of establishing and maintaining reasonable reward differentials for different skills;
(e) the financial implications of the proposed settlement, award or recommendation if implemented-
(i) on the particular industry concerned;
(ii) on similar or related industries or skills; and
(iii) on the economy of the Gilbert Islands;
(f) the price levels of essential commodities.
Evidence
19. (1) For the purpose of dealing with any matter referred to it under this Code a tribunal, board or the Commission may elicit all such information as in the circumstances it may consider necessary without being bound by the rules of evidence in civil or criminal proceedings and may by order require any person-
(a) to furnish, in writing or otherwise, such particulars in relation to any matter as may be required;
(b) to appear before it and give evidence on oath or otherwise; and
(c) to produce any material documents as may be required.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), if any person objects to furnishing any particulars, answering any question or producing any document on the ground of confidentiality or that it will tend to incriminate him or on any other lawful ground he shall, subject to subsection (3), not be required to furnish such particulars, answer such question or produce such document nor shall he be liable to any penalties for refusing to do so.
(3) Where objection is taken to the production of a document on the ground that the contents thereof are confidential the tribunal, board or the Commission may nevertheless by order require production of the document and consideration of its contents in camera and shall take all such further steps as may seem necessary and practicable to preserve the confidential nature of the document.
(4) A conciliator or conciliation panel appointed under section 6 may for the purpose of dealing with a trade dispute referred to it under this Code by order require any party to the dispute to appear before it.
(5) Any person who without reasonable excuse fails to obey any order made under this section shall be liable to a fine of $50 and to imprisonment for 3 months and in any proceedings for an offence under this section the proof of reasonable excuse shall lie on the person charged with the offence.
(6) Any person who being required by an order under subsection (1) (a) or (b) to furnish particulars or to give evidence not on oath wilfully furnishes information or makes a statement which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall be liable to a fine of $50 and to imprisonment for 3 months.
Representation of Parties
20. (1) In any proceedings under this Code before a tribunal, board or the Commission a party to those proceedings may-
(a) appear in person; or
(b) be represented by an advocate or as provided by subsection (2).
(2) A party to proceedings under this Ordinance may with leave of the board, tribunal or the Commission-
(a) being an organisation, be represented by a member, officer or employee of the organisation; or
(b) not being an organisation, be represented by-
(i) an employee of that party; or
(ii) a member, officer or employee of any organisation of which that party is a member.
Sittings may be in public or private
21. (1) A tribunal, board or the Commission may by order exclude the public and representatives of the news media from any proceedings under this Code and members of the public and such representatives shall forthwith comply with such an order.
(2) A fair and accurate report or summary of proceedings before a tribunal, board or the Commission under this Code at which the public has been present may be published by any person.
(3) No comment in respect of proceedings before a tribunal, board or the Commission under this Code shall be published until the Minister has caused the award or the result of the inquiry, as the case may be, to be published.
(4) Any person who contravenes this section shall be liable to a fine of $100 and to imprisonment for 6 months.
PART IV
ADHERENCE TO AGREEMENTS AND AWARDS
Strike, lock-out or boycott unlawful where procedures are not exhausted
22. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a strike, lock-out or boycott which takes place in furtherance of a trade dispute before the procedures prescribed by this Code for the settlement of trade disputes are exhausted shall be unlawful.
(2) A strike, lock-out or boycott shall not be unlawful by virtue of this section if-
(a) 28 days have elapsed since the date on which the report of the trade dispute in furtherance of which the strike, lock-out or boycott has taken place was made to the Minister in accordance with section 3; and
(b) the Minister has taken no step under section 4 (1) or if he has taken such a step his decision has not been communicated to the parties to the dispute or to their representatives in accordance with section 4 (2).
Strike, lock-out or boycott where award or agreement still in force
23. Where it appears to the Minister that there is an actual, declared or anticipated strike, lock-out or boycott arising out of a trade dispute in any undertaking and the Minister is satisfied-
(a) that the matters to which the trade dispute relates have been settled by an agreement or award; and
(b) that the agreement or award is expressed to have effect until a date which has not been reached,
the Minister may if he thinks fit take any more or more of the following steps-
(i) invite the parties to the dispute to show cause as to why they should not comply with that agreement or award until the date on which it will cease to have effect;
(ii) invite the parties to the dispute to comply with that agreement or award;
(iii) by order declare any strike, lock-out or boycott (whether actual, declared or anticipated) arising out of that dispute to be unlawful until a date specified in the order which date shall be no later than any date referred to in paragraph (b).
Effective date of orders
24. (1) Every order made by the Minister under section 23 (iii) shall be published by exhibition at the Public Office of the Governor and shall come into operation on the day next following the day on which it is so published unless otherwise provided therein.
(2) The Minister shall as soon as practicable after an order has been published in accordance with subsection (1) further publish such order in such manner as he may think fit for the purpose of bringing its contents to the attention of the persons affected thereby.
Offences where strike, lock-out or boycott unlawful
25. (1) Any person who takes part in or acts in furtherance of any unlawful strike, lock-out or boycott shall be liable to a fine of $100 and to imprisonment for 6 months.
(2) Any person who in connection with any unlawful strike, lock-out or boycott causes, procures or counsels or in any way whatsoever encourages, persuades or influences others or solicits, incites or attempts to procure others to take part in any such strike, lock-out or boycott shall be liable to a fine of $200 and to imprisonment for 1 year.
Legal presumptions
26. Where in any proceedings for an offence under section 25 (1) it is proved that the accused person-
(a) ceased work or refused to continue work or to undertake particular work, being work which in terms of his employment he was bound to do; or
(b) closed a place of employment or suspended work or being an employer refused to continue to employ persons employed by him; or
(c) systematically refused to hold or abstained from holding relations or dealings of any kind with another person,
in circumstances which give the court reasonable ground to suppose that he was taking part in or acting in furtherance of an unlawful strike, lock-out or boycott, the court shall presume that he was taking part in or acting in furtherance of an unlawful strike, lock-out or boycott unless he proves to the satisfaction of the court that he acted as aforesaid for reasons wholly unconnected with an unlawful strike, lock-out or boycott, as the case may be.
Prohibition of expulsion of members
27. (1) No person being a member of an organisation who refuses to take part or to continue to take part in any unlawful strike, lock-out or boycott shall by reason of such refusal or by reason of any action taken by him under this section be subject to expulsion from membership of any organisation or to any fine or other penalty or to deprivation of any right or benefit to which he or his personal representatives would otherwise be entitled or liable to be placed in any respect either directly or indirectly under any disability or to any disadvantage as compared with other members of the organisation notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the rules or constitution of an organisation.
(2) No provision of any law limiting the proceedings which may be entertained by the High Court and nothing in the rules or constitution of any organisation requiring the settlement of disputes in any manner shall apply to proceedings for enforcing any right or exemption secured by this section and in any such proceedings the court may, in lieu of ordering any person who has been wrongfully expelled from membership of an organisation to be restored to membership, order that he be paid out of the funds of the organisation such sum by way of compensation or damages as the court thinks just.
PART V
PROTECTION OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES, LIFE AND PROPERTY
Interpretation
28. In this Part-
"break" means, in relation to an employee's contract of service, do any act or make any omission which amounts to a breach of the contract of service under which he is employed;
"contract of service" means any contract whether express or implied whether entered into orally or in writing, to employ or serve as an employee for any period of time and whether it is a contract of service, apprenticeship or learnership or a contract personally to execute any work or labour.
Breach and procurement of breach of contract by employee an offence
29. (1) Subject to section 30,-
(a) any employee in an essential service who wilfully breaks his contract of service knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the probable consequences of his so doing either alone or in combination with others will be to deprive the public or any section of the public of that essential service or substantially to diminish the enjoyment of that essential service by the public or any section of the public shall be liable to a fine of $200 and to imprisonment for 1 year;
(b) any person who causes, procures or counsels or in any way whatsoever encourages, persuades or influences or solicits, incites or attempts to procure any employee in an essential service to break his contract of service knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the probable consequences of that employee so doing either alone or in combination with others will be to deprive the public or any section of the public of that essential service or substantially to diminish the enjoyment of that essential service by the public or any section of the public shall be liable to a fine of $300 and to imprisonment for 18 months.
(2) In any proceedings in respect of an offence under this section the court shall presume the existence of a contract of service of the nature and in the particular service alleged in the charge or information relating to the proceedings unless the contrary is proved.
(3) A breach of a contract of service by an employee in an essential service shall be deemed to be wilful unless the contrary is proved.
Breach of employee's contract not unlawful in certain circumstances
30. (1) Subject to subsection (2), an employee in an essential service shall not be guilty of an offence under section 29 (1) (a) and no person shall be guilty of an offence under section 29 (1) (b) if there is a trade dispute in the essential service in question and-
(a) the procedures prescribed by this Code for the settlement of trade disputes have been exhausted; or
(b) 42 days have elapsed since the date on which a report of the trade dispute was made to the Minister in accordance with section 3 and the Minister has taken no step under section 4 (1) or if he has taken such a step his decision has not been communicated to the parties to the dispute or to their representatives in accordance with section 4 (2).
(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply unless after all the procedures prescribed by this Code for the settlement of trade disputes have been exhausted or after the expiration of the period of 42 days referred to in subsection (1) (b) notice in writing of the employee's intention to break his contract of service is given by hand by him or on his behalf by a trade union of which he is a member to the office of the Commissioner of Labour and 14 days have elapsed since delivery of that notice.
(3) The Commissioner of Labour may by notice appoint persons to whom notices under subsection (2) may be given and delivery of such a notice to such a person shall be deemed to be delivery of the notice for the purposes of that subsection.
(4) Every person appointed under subsection (3) shall on delivery to him of a notice under subsection (2) transmit the contents of the notice to the Commissioner of Labour by such means as he thinks most expeditious.
(5) A notice under subsection (2) shall be in such form as the Commissioner of Labour may by regulations prescribe.
Printed copy of sections 29, 30 and Schedule to be displayed by employer
31. (1) Every employer in an essential service shall cause to be posted upon such premises used for the purpose of discharging that essential service as the Commissioner of Labour may by writing designate a notice in such form as the Commissioner of Labour may by regulations prescribe explaining the effect of sections 29 and 30 in some conspicuous place where the same may conveniently be read by his employees and as often as such notice becomes defaced, obliterated, destroyed or removed shall cause it to be replaced with all reasonable dispatch.
(2) Any employer other than the Government who fails to comply with subsection, (1) shall be liable to a fine of $10 for every day on which he so fails.
(3) Any person who without reasonable excuse wilfully injures, defaces, obliterates, destroys or removes any printed copy which has been posted as required by subsection (1) shall be liable to a fine of $20 and in any proceedings for an offence under this subsection the proof of reasonable excuse shall lie on the person charged with the offence.
Protection of life and property
32. (1) Any employee whether an employee in an essential service or not who wilfully breaks his contract of service knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the probable consequences of his so doing either alone or in combination with others will be to endanger human life or public health or to cause serious bodily injury to any person or to expose valuable property to the risk of destruction, loss or serious injury shall be liable to a fine of $200 and to imprisonment for 1 year.
(2) Any person who causes, procures or counsels or in any way whatever encourages, persuades or influences or solicits, incites or attempts to procure any employee, whether an employee in an essential service or not, to break his contract of service knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the probable consequences of that employee so doing either alone or in combination with others will be to endanger human life or public health or to cause serious bodily injury to any person or to expose valuable property to the risk of destruction, loss or serious injury shall be liable to a fine of $300 and to imprisonment for 18 months.
(3) In any proceedings in respect of an offence under this section the court shall presume the existence of a contract of service of the nature alleged in the charge or information relating to the proceedings unless the contrary is proved.
(4) In any proceedings in respect of an offence under subsection (1) the court shall presume that any allegation in the charge or information in relation to the proceedings that a contract of service was wilfully broken is true unless the contrary is proved.
Minister may amend Schedule
33. (1) The Minister may by order amend the Schedule-
(a) adding thereto further services and without prejudice to the generality of the description of any service specified therein may by such order specify any particular undertaking, activity or business or any class of undertaking, activity or business as being or as being included in an essential service;
(b) by deleting therefrom any service.
(2) A copy of every order made under subsection (1) shall be laid before the House of Assembly at its sitting next following the date on which the order comes into operation and if a resolution that such notice be revoked is passed by the House within a period of 20 days on which the House sits next following the day on which the order is laid before it the order shall be deemed to have been revoked on the day the resolution is passed.
PART VI
STRIKE BALLOTS
Strike ballots
34. (1) Where a question arises whether a body of employees should strike in furtherance of a trade dispute and the number of those employees exceeds 50 that question shall be decided by a secret ballot of those employees:
Provided that where the trade dispute involves employees represented by a trade union or by trade unions only members of that union or those unions shall be eligible to vote.
(2) A decision to strike taken under this section shall require a two-thirds majority of all those eligible to vote.
(3) Where a strike takes place following a ballot under this section no ballot shall be required to determine the strike but the Minister may advise the parties to the dispute that in his opinion such a course is desirable.
(4) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Code, a strike which takes place in furtherance of a trade dispute shall be unlawful unless this section has in every appropriate case been complied with.
(5) The Commissioner of Labour may make regulations prescribing the manner in which ballots required by this section shall be conducted.
PART VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Certain immunities not affected
Cap. 97
35. Nothing in this Code shall in any way affect the immunities from criminal and civil liability or process granted by Part II of not affected the Trade Unions Ordinance.
Conclusion of collective agreements not affected
36. Nothing in this Code shall affect the right of trade unions or of other associations representative of employees to conclude collective agreements with employers or organisations of employers.
Liability of persons appointed under Code
37. No person shall be liable for any act done or omitted to be done by him in good faith and without negligence in the carrying out of any function vested in him by this Code or regulations made thereunder.
Remuneration and expenses
38. The Minister in consultation with the Minister of Finance shall determine the remuneration, including allowances, to be paid to any person appointed under this Code and the same shall be paid out of the Consolidated Fund.
Regulations
39. (1) Subject to sections 30 (5), 31 (1) and 34 (5), the Minister may make regulations generally for the better carrying into effect of the provisions, objects and intentions of this Code and in particular for prescribing the procedure to be followed in any proceedings before a tribunal, board or the Commission or otherwise under this Code.
(2) The Commissioner of Labour may give directions not inconsistent with any regulations made under subsection (1) or section 34 (5) relating to the scope, method and conduct of any particular proceedings.
Consent of Attorney-General required for prosecutions
40. No prosecution for an offence under this Code shall be instituted except by or with the consent of the Attorney-General.
____________
SCHEDULE
(Section 2)
Distribution of food services
Distribution of fuel services
Electricity services (including the generation and distribution of electricity and the maintenance of electricity supplies)
Fire services
Health services
Maintenance of internal and external air services
Movement of copra
Port services connected with the loading and unloading of vessels
Sanitary services
Search sand rescue services
Shipping services (including the ferry service between the islets of Bairiki and Betio on Tarawa Island operated by the Kiribati Shipping
Corporation)
LN. 72/78
Telecommunication services
Water services
___________
[Subsidiary]
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
Appointment of person to receive notice of trade disputes under section 3 (5)
G.N. 49/75
The administrative officer for the time being in charge of Ocean Island has been appointed to receive reports of trade disputes and further written particulars.
Appointment under section 5 (3) of person who may be informed that settlement of trade disputes have not been effected
G.N. 49/75
The administrative officer for the time being in charge of Ocean Island has been appointed as a person who may be informed on behalf of the Minister that settlement of trade disputes have not been effected.
Order under section 14 establishing an Incomes Commission
L.N.3/75
INCOMES COMMISSION (ESTABLISHMENT) ORDER
Citation
1. This Order may be cited as the Incomes Commission (Establishment) Order.
Establishment, powers and duties of the Incomes Commission
2. An Incomes Commission is hereby established to exercise all the powers and perform all the duties conferred or imposed on the Incomes Commission by the Code.
Appointment under section 30 (3) of a person to whom notices required by section 30 (2) may be given by employees in essential services
G.N. 50/75
The officer for the time being in charge of Ocean Island is appointed a person to whom notice of intention to break contract of service may be given.
Order under section 14 establishing an Incomes Commission
INCOMES COMMISSION (ESTABLISHMENT) ORDER 1979
L.N.42/79
L.N.39/79
K.L.N.11/7
Commencement: 16th May 1979
Citation
1. This Order may be cited as the Incomes Commission (Establishment Order) 1979.
Appointment of Members and Chairman
2. (1) The Members of the Incomes Commission shall be as follows-
Members representing Employers:
Mr. Iaramako Teoiaki
Mr. Nariki Kautu
Mr. Kokoria B. Etuare
Mr. Kakaiwa Kirimaua
Members representing Employees:
Mr. Marae Irata
Mr. Raion Bataroma
Mr. Tuen Iotia
Mr. Tabui Teatata
(2) The Chairman shall be Mr. I. T. Uriam, M.B.E.
Duty of Commission
3. It shall be the duty of the Commission, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Code, to enquire into and determine the gradings, remuneration and conditions of service for the Public Service, Statutory Organisations and Government Controlled Companies, using the Report of the Salaries Review Commission (Fry Report) as the basis of the enquiry.
Revocation of previous appointments
4. All previous appointments to the Incomes Commission are revoked.
Regulations under section 34
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (STRIKE BALLOTS) REGULATIONS
L.N. 18/80
Commencement: 7th November 1979
PART I
PRELIMINARY
Short title
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Industrial Relations (Strike Ballots) Regulations 1979.
Interpretation
2. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires-
"ballot meeting" means a meeting called in accordance with these Regulations for the conduct of a strike ballot;
"the Code" means the Industrial Relations Code;
"the Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Labour;
"strike ballot" means a ballot required by section 34 (1) of the Code;
"Supervising Officer" means a Supervising Officer appointed under section 3.
Supervising Officers
3. The Commissioner of Labour may, by notice, appoint persons to be Supervising Officers for the purposes of these Regulations.
PART II
STRIKE BALLOTS
Application of Part II
4. This Part applies in relation to strike ballots in relation to trade disputes.
Notice of ballot
5. (1) Before a strike ballot is conducted, the union or the body of employees concerned-
(a)shall give to the Commissioner not less than 48 hours' notice, either oral or in writing, of the time when and the place or places where the ballot is to be conducted; and
(b) shall satisfy the Commissioner that adequate notice has been given to members of the union or to the employees who are to be involved in the strike-
(i) of the time when and the place or places where the ballot is to be conducted; and
(ii) that the ballot is to be a strike ballot; and
(iii) of the trade dispute in relation to which the ballot is to be conducted, in the same terms as those in which the dispute was reported under section 3 of the Code, or in such other terms as are approved by the Commissioner.
(2) For the purposes of the Code and of these Regulations, a ballot shall be deemed to be a strike ballot only in relation to the trade dispute described in the notice given under paragraph (1) (b) (iii).
Question at strike ballot
6. The only question for a strike ballot shall be, whether or not to strike.
Ballot meeting
7. A strike ballot shall not, without the prior consent of the Commissioner and on such conditions as to notice and otherwise as he determines, be held at more than 3 places, and each such ballot shall take place at approximately the same time.
Provision of facilities, etc.
8. (1) The Supervising Officer is responsible for the provision of the necessary ballot-boxes and ballot-papers, and for instructing voters on the method of casting their votes.
(2) A ballot-paper shall be marked in such a way that a vote in favour of the strike is indicated by the word "Yes" (in Gilbertese or in English), a vote against the strike is indicated by the word "No" (in Gilbertese or in English), and no irrelevant marks appear on it, other than the authenticating signature or initials of the Supervising Officer or other person authorised by the Commissioner or Supervising Officer to authenticate the ballot-paper.
Conduct of ballot
9. (1) At a ballot meeting-
(a) the Supervising Officer shall preside and conduct the meeting; and
(b) no business shall be transacted before the ballot closes other than the ballot; and
(c) subject to these Regulations and to any directions of the Commissioner, the meeting and the ballot shall be conducted in such manner as the Supervising Officer determines.
(2) The ballot shall be a secret ballot.
(3) Only persons who satisfy the Supervising Officer that the are members of the union or body of employees concerned may vote, but for the purposes of this paragraph a Supervising Officer may accept and act on an assurance b a member of a union as to membership of the union.
Result of ballot
10. (1) After all persons present and entitled to vote have had a reasonable opportunity to vote, the Supervising Officer shall declare the ballot closed.
(2) The Supervising Officer shall then and there, in the presence of not more than 2 representatives of the union or of the body of employees concerned, and not more than 2 representatives of employers concerned (if the employers wish to be represented)-
(a) examine all ballot-papers cast; and
(b) place on one side all spoilt or improperly marked ballot-papers; and
(c) count the votes; and
(d) carefully preserve, and forward to the Commissioner, all ballot-papers.
(3) The result of the ballot shall be announced at the meeting by the Supervising officer, but so that, if practicable, the results of the ballots at all ballot meetings held for the same purpose are announced simultaneously, or at least in such a way that the voting at one ballot meeting is not likely to be affected by the announcement of the result at any other.
(4) The final result of the ballot shall be announced by the Commissioner.
Re-count
11. If-
(a) the union or the body of employees concerned, or an employer concerned, or a duly authorised representative of the union or the body of employees or any such employer, so requests; or
(b) for any other reason he thinks it proper to do so,
the Commissioner may re-count, in the presence of persons referred to in regulation 10 (2) and such other persons as he thinks proper to admit, the votes cast at the ballot, and shall announce the result of the ballot accordingly.
Effect of announcement
12. The announcement by the Commissioner of the result of the ballot or of a re-count, is, subject to these Regulations, conclusive.
Objections
13. The union, any member of the union, or any employee or any employer Objections concerned, may, within 24 hours or such longer period as the Minister, in special circumstances; permits after the announcement by the Commissioner of the result of a strike ballot, or of a re-count, object to the Commissioner that the ballot was improperly conducted.
Fresh ballots
14. If-
(a) an objection is made under regulation 13 and in the opinion of the Commissioner, after due inquiry, there are grounds for doubting the conduct of the ballot; or
(b) the Commissioner, for any reason, thinks that the ballot was or may have been improperly conducted,
the Commissioner may, by notice, declare the ballot to be annulled and order a new ballot to be taken.
PART III
RETURN-TO-WORK BALLOTS
Interpretation of Part III
15. In this Part, "return-to-work ballot" means a ballot of a kind referred to in section 34 (3) of the Code, on the question of the determination of a strike.
Application of Part III
16. (1) This Part applies to a return-to-work ballot, whether or not it is held on the advice of the Minister.
(2) Nothing in this Part invalidates a decision to return to work or determine a strike, or a return-to-work ballot, arrived at or conducted otherwise than in accordance with this Part.
Conduct of return-to-work ballots
17. (1) A return-to-work ballot may be conducted in accordance with these Regulations, and in that case the provisions of these Regulations relating to strike ballots, with the necessary modifications, apply.
(2) In the application of these Regulations to a return-to-work ballot-
(a) any reference in these Regulations to a strike ballot shall be read as a reference to a return-to-work ballot; and
(b) subject to paragraph (3), the question for the ballot shall be, whether or not to determine the strike and return to work.
(3) Unless the Commissioner, on the ground that its inclusion would confuse the issue, directs otherwise the question may include a statement, formulated by, or by representatives of, the union or body of employees concerned, of the conditions on which the strike is to be determined.
PART IV
GENERAL
Special powers of Commissioner
18. Where in the circumstances of a particular ballot no provision, or no sufficient provision, is made by these Regulations in relation to any matter arising in connection with the ballot, the Commissioner may direct, in writing, the manner in which the matter shall be dealt with.
Appeals
19. (1) A person aggrieved by a decision of a Supervising Officer under these Regulations may appeal to the Commissioner, whose decision is, subject to subsection (2), final.
(2) A person aggrieved by a decision of the Commissioner under these Regulations may appeal to the Minister, whose decision is final.
(3) Until altered under paragraph (1) or (2), a decision of a Supervising Officer or of the Commissioner under these Regulations is final.
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