Central Labour Service (CLS)

Central Labour Service is a premier organised Group 'A' Central Civil Service of Govt of India.

The Central Labour Service (CLS) was constituted with effect from 3rd February 1987 to ensure better industrial relations, providing benefits of labour welfare schemes and enforcement of labour laws. Consequent upon the Cadre Review, the Central Labour Service (CLS) was notified as an Organized Service in the year 2004.

The factories and mines employing 500 or more workers, and plantations employing 300 or more workers, are required to appoint the prescribed number of Welfare Officers under the relevant statutes. Assistant Labour Welfare Commissioners (Central) and Deputy Labour Welfare Commissioners (Central) discharge statutory functions and also advise and assist the management of concerned establishments in maintaining harmonious industrial relations, particularly in the areas of safety, health, and welfare of workers. By helping in the resolution of workers’ grievances, these officers also prevent issues from escalating into industrial disputes.

In addition, officers appointed as Assistant Labour Commissioners (Central), Regional Labour Commissioners (Central), and Deputy Chief Labour Commissioners (Central) in the Central Industrial Relations Machinery (CIRM), headed by the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), are entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining healthy industrial relations in the Central Sphere. Officers under the CIRM are also responsible for enforcing applicable labour laws in establishments and industries covered under the Central Sphere.

These officers perform quasi-judicial functions under various labour laws, including the Minimum Wages Act, the Payment of Wages Act, the Payment of Gratuity Act, and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. Apart from these responsibilities, they also conduct general verification of Central Trade Union Organizations as well as unit-level membership verification of Trade Unions under the Code of Discipline.

CLS officers appointed as Assistant Welfare Commissioners (Central) and Welfare Commissioners (Central) in the Welfare Organisation of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, under the Director General (Labour Welfare), administer various welfare schemes related to health, housing, education, and other benefits for unorganized workers engaged in industries such as beedi making and non-coal mines.

The present cadre strength of the Service in various grades has been restructured and revised to include 01 post in HAG, 02 posts in SAG, 59 posts in JAG, 115 posts in STS, and 163 posts in JTS Grade.

Who We Are

Central Labour Service (CLS) Officers Association was initially formed as “Central Industrial Relations Officers Association” with its Headquarter at New Delhi. The association has been recognised by the Government of India.

Aims and Objectives of the Association

1. To organize and unite the officers of Central Industrial Relation Machinery and Central Labour Service.
2. To watch, promote, safeguard, and further the interests, rights, and privileges of the members in all matters relating to employment.
3. To promote and establish understanding and good relations between the officers represented by the Association and the Ministries/Departments employing them.
4. To cooperate, facilitate interchange of ideas, and federate with similar service associations having similar objectives.
5. To create an atmosphere of mutual coordination and support among its members, to start cooperative societies, and to organize mutual benefit funds if circumstances so require.
6. For the attainment of its objectives, the Association may establish branches in Delhi as well as in other States.