Section 22A of Mines Act : Section 22A: Power To Prohibit Employment In Certain Cases

Explanation using Example

Imagine a coal mine where the mining company has been found to have inadequate safety measures in place, such as faulty respiratory equipment for miners. The Chief Inspector, upon inspection, issues a written notice to the mine's owner, requesting that these safety issues be addressed within a specified timeframe.

If the mine owner ignores this notice and the deadline passes without any action taken to improve the safety conditions, the Chief Inspector then exercises the power granted under Section 22A of The Mines Act, 1952. An order is issued prohibiting the employment of any workers who are not essential for fixing the safety issues, effectively halting operations in parts of or the entire mine.

As a result of this order, the miners who are no longer allowed to work due to the prohibition are still entitled to receive their full wages for the duration of the employment ban. The mine owner must either pay these wages or provide the affected miners with alternative employment at equivalent wages.