Are Trainees in the Hotel Industry Entitled to Bonuses Like Regular Staff? Seeking Insights

Hi seniors,

This is the time for a bonus. I am working as an HR officer in a hotel industry. Here, I find some anomalies. There are two types of staff. One is regular staff; they have ESI, PF, CL, PL, sick leave, bonus, and other benefits, and they come under a trade union. The other category is called trainees and apprentices. These trainees do not have any benefits like PL, sick leave, overtime, holiday off, etc., but they work more than 15 hours per day. They will only get 4/5 weekly offs and one casual leave in a month.

Now, my argument is that these trainees are eligible for benefits under the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965. Because the regular staff get 20% as a bonus (Rs. 8400/-) and ex-gratia (Rs. 1600/-). The trainees only get Rs. 500 to Rs. 750. Are the trainees eligible for a bonus under the Bonus Act?

Dear Sir,

You are adopting unfair labor practices. First of all, the appointment of these trainees and apprentices is illegal. Essentially, as well as legally, they are your permanent employees, and they are entitled to all benefits.

Regards,
JS Malik

Hi seniors,

This is the time for a bonus. I am working as an HR officer in the hotel industry. Here, I find some anomalies. There are two types of staff here. One is regular staff. They have ESI, PF, CL, PL, sick leave, bonus, and other benefits, and they come under a trade union. The other category consists of trainees and apprentices. These trainees do not have any benefits like PL, sick leave, overtime, holiday off, etc., but they work more than 15 hours per day. They will only get 4/5 weekly offs and one casual leave in a month.

Now, my argument is that these trainees are eligible for benefits under the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965. This is because the regular staff receive 20% as a bonus (Rs. 8,400) and ex-gratia (Rs. 1,600). The trainees only receive Rs. 500 to Rs. 750. Are the trainees eligible for a bonus under the Bonus Act?