Andhra Pradesh Industrial Relations Rules, 2026: Complete HR Compliance Guide
A practical HR-ready summary covering committees, trade unions, standing orders, strikes, lock-outs, retrenchment, closure, forms, timelines and penalties.
Key Takeaways for HR Professionals
| Topic | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Grievance Redressal Committee | Mandatory for establishments employing 20 or more workers. |
| Works Committee | To be constituted where ordered by the State Government. |
| Negotiating Union | Minimum 30% membership required for sole negotiating union recognition. |
| Standing Orders | Separate Model Standing Orders prescribed for Manufacturing and Service sectors. |
| Protected Workers | Trade unions must submit protected workers list by 30 April every year. |
| Worker Re-skilling Fund | 15 days wages to be deposited within 10 days of retrenchment. |
Chapter-wise Summary
Chapter I – Preliminary
The Rules define important terms such as Code, Commissioner of Labour, Government, Verification Officer and Employer.
Chapter II – Bi-Partite Forums
Works Committee: Maximum 20 members with equal representation of employer and workers.
GRC: Mandatory for establishments with 20 or more workers. Maximum 10 members and tenure of 3 years.
Chapter III – Trade Unions
A registered Trade Union may be recognized as sole negotiating union if it has at least 30% membership of total workers. Recognition is valid for 3 years and may be extended up to 5 years.
Chapter IV – Standing Orders
Model Standing Orders are prescribed separately for Manufacturing Sector and Service Sector. Certified Standing Orders must be maintained and displayed.
Important Compliance Timeline
| No | Compliance | Form / Record | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notice of change in service conditions | Form IV | 21 days before change |
| 2 | Notice of strike | Form VI | 14 to 60 days before strike |
| 3 | Notice of lock-out | Form VII | 14 to 60 days before lock-out |
| 4 | Lay-off permission | Form XII | 15 days before lay-off |
| 5 | Retrenchment permission | Form XIII | 60 days before retrenchment |
| 6 | Closure permission | Form XIV | 90 days before closure |
| 7 | Re-skilling fund contribution | Applicable record | Within 10 days of retrenchment |
Statutory Forms Index
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Form I | Memorandum of Settlement |
| Form II | Application for adjudication before Industrial Tribunal |
| Form III | Register of Certified Standing Orders |
| Form IV | Notice of Change in Conditions of Service |
| Form V | Arbitration Agreement |
| Form VI | Notice of Strike |
| Form VII | Notice of Lock-out |
| Form XII | Application for Prior Permission for Lay-off |
| Form XIII | Application for Prior Permission for Retrenchment |
| Form XIV | Application for Prior Permission for Closure |
| Form XVI | Compounding of Offences |
HR Compliance Checklist
Constitute Grievance Redressal Committee where applicable.
Review Works Committee applicability.
Verify Trade Union recognition status.
Adopt or certify Standing Orders.
Display Standing Orders in English and Telugu.
Issue Form IV before changing service conditions.
Monitor strike and lock-out notice periods.
Track lay-off, retrenchment and closure timelines.
Deposit Worker Re-skilling Fund within 10 days.
Collect Protected Workers list by 30 April every year.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
| Violation | Penalty Range |
|---|---|
| Lay-off / retrenchment without prior permission | ₹1,00,000 to ₹10,00,000 |
| Closure without prior permission | ₹1,00,000 to ₹10,00,000 |
| Failure to pay retrenchment compensation / re-skilling fund | ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000 |
| Breach of certified Standing Orders | ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000 |
| Unilateral change without Form IV notice | ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 |