Section 15 of The Industrial Relations Code, 2020
Objects of general fund, composition of separate fund and membership fee of Trade Union.
- (1)The general funds of a registered Trade Union shall not be spent on any objects other than such objects as may be prescribed.
- (2)A registered Trade Union may constitute a separate fund, from contributions separately levied for or made to that fund, from which payments may be made, for the promotion of the civic and political interests of its members, in furtherance of such objects as may be prescribed.
- (3)No member shall be compelled to contribute to the fund constituted under sub-section (2) and a member who does not contribute to the said fund shall not be excluded from any benefits of the Trade Union, or placed in any respect either directly or indirectly under any disability or at any disadvantage as compared with other members of the Trade Union (except in relation to the control or management of the said fund) by reason of his not contributing to the said fund; and contribution to the said fund shall not be made a condition for admission to the Trade Union.
- (4)The subscriptions payable by the members of the Trade Union shall be such as may be prescribed.
Summary
- A registered Trade Union's general funds can only be spent on specific activities described in the government rules.
- Unions can create a separate fund for political or civic interests, but this must come from separate, voluntary donations.
- No member can be forced to pay into this separate political fund as a condition for joining the union.
- If a member chooses not to pay into the political fund, the union cannot take away their regular benefits or disadvantage them.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can a union use my monthly membership fee for an election campaign?
No, membership fees go to the general fund. Political spending must come from a separate fund made of separate donations.
2. Is there a limit on membership fees?
Yes, the subscriptions payable by members will be set by the rules made under this Code.
3. Do I have to pay the political fund to become a member?
No, contribution to the separate fund cannot be a condition for admission to the Trade Union.
Test yourself
1.Under Section 15 of The Industrial Relations Code, 2020, what is the rule regarding members who do not contribute to the separate political fund?
2.According to Section 15 of The Industrial Relations Code, 2020, where must the money for promoting civic and political interests come from?
3.Under Section 15 of The Industrial Relations Code, 2020, can a Trade Union make a donation to the separate political fund a requirement for joining?
4.According to Section 15 of The Industrial Relations Code, 2020, how is the amount of regular membership subscriptions decided?