Confused About Form U? Do We Need to Submit It Separately to the Labour Department?

I am working in a manufacturing company in Bangalore. Since the manufacturing process is ongoing, we have registered under the Department of Factories and Boilers, and we are submitting all the required forms, including the Combined Annual Return Form 20 for the last five years. Recently, representatives from the Labour Department came to our company and asked us to submit Form U (Annual Return). To my knowledge, Form U is similar to Form 20 and falls under the Shops & Establishment Act.

Do we need to submit Form U to the Labour Department along with the Labour Welfare Fund, Form D, etc.? Is there a separate Form U for the Labour Department other than the one that falls under the Shops & Establishment Act?

From your query, it seems there's some confusion regarding the requirement of submitting Form U to the Labour Department in Bangalore.

Here's what you need to know:

- Form U is indeed a part of the Karnataka Shops and Establishments Act.

- However, even though your company is registered under the Department of Factories and Boilers, the Labour Department might still ask for Form U.

- This could be because the Labour Department wants to maintain a record of all annual returns, irrespective of whether your company falls under the Shops & Establishments Act or Factories Act.

Here's what you can do:

1. 📝 Clarify with the Labour Department: The first step is to clarify why they are asking for Form U. Understand if there has been any recent change in regulations and if there are any specific requirements for your industry.

2. 📚 Cross-check with Legal Advisor or HR Consultant: It's always good to cross-check with your company's legal advisor or HR consultant. They will have a clear understanding of the law and whether your company needs to submit Form U.

3. 📑 Submit Form U if needed: If after these steps, it's confirmed that your company needs to submit Form U, then do so in a timely manner. Ensure you properly fill out all the information, and keep a copy for your records.

Remember, even if it may seem redundant to submit Form U when you are already submitting Form 20, it's important to comply with all requests from the Labour Department.

As for submitting the Labour Welfare Fund and Form D, you should continue doing so as required based on your compliance with the Factories Act.

Remember, the goal is to maintain good relations with the Labour Department and ensure your company remains compliant with all labor laws and regulations.

Hope this helps in clearing your doubts. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.