Let me explain a bit more so as to make the understanding of the concept of " Protected Workman " easier. A "protected workman" in relation to an industrial establishment under the Industrial Disputes Act,1947 is a workman who is an officer of a registered trade union connected with the establishment and should have been recognized as such under the Rules by the employer/management.In the capacity of an office-bearer/officer of a registered trade union, a workman has to discharge certain functions as authorized by the body of the workmen like taking active participation in negotiations, leading direct actions like agitations, work-to-Rule, strike etc., in order to achieve the lawful demands of the union. As such his position as a workman is more vulnerable in tune with the adage " the loudest mosquito gets swatted first " for the possibilities are more for vindictive reaction by the management. To curb such a tendency, Sec.33(3) of the Industrial Disputes Act,1947 imposes restrictions on the employer in altering prejudicially the service conditions of protected workmen or their discharge or punishing them by way of dismissal or otherwise under certain circumstances during the pendency of any conciliation or arbitration or adjudication proceedings. Sec.33(4) provides for recognition of certain number of workmen in every establishment as protected workmen.