The government of West Bengal orders correct submission of annual returns under the Trade Unions Act, 1926

The government of West Bengal vide notice no. 41/MISC02/2025 dated April 8, 2025 has issued guidelines for the trade unions to file correct annual returns with regard to their office bearers. It is reiterated in the notice that retired employees in an industrial establishment are debarred from holding the office in the trade union. Only as an honorary member, an outsider may be considered for a post of executive committee. An unemployed person cannot hold the office of CEO, CFO, Treasurer, and Secretary in a registered trade union which belongs to organized sector. Non-compliance with the prescribed return format may attract scrutiny under the Trade Unions Act. Trade unions must verify eligibility criteria of office bearers before filing to avoid invalidation.