AUTHORITY AND CLAIMS (Section 20-21) :

Under Section 20(1) of the Act, the appropriate Government, may appoint any of the following as an authority to hear and decide for any specified area any claims arising out of payment of less than the minimum rate of wages or in respect of the payment of remuneration for the days of rest or of wages at the rate of overtime work:

(a) any Commissioner for Workmen’s Compensation; or

(b) any officer of the Central Government exercising functions as Labour Commissioner for any region; or

(c) any officer of the State Government not below the rank of Labour Commissioner; or

(d) any other officer with experience as a Judge of a Civil Court or as the Stipendiary Magistrate.

The authority so appointed shall have jurisdiction to hear and decide claim arising out of payment of less than the minimum rates of wages or in respect of the payment remuneration for days of rest or for work done on such days or for payment of overtime.

The provisions of Section 20(1) are attracted only if there exists a disputed between the employer and the employee as to the rates of wages. Where no such dispute exists between the employer and employees and the only question is whether a particular payment at the agreed rate in respect of minimum wages, overtime or work on off days is due to an employee or not, the appropriate remedy is provided by the Payment of Wages Act, 1936.