By way of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2020 which came into force on 1 January 2021, the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (IRA) was amended, amongst others, to include:
- A representation by a workman regarding unfair dismissal will be referred directly to the Industrial Court unless there is a settlement between the workman and the employer. Previously, the Minister of Human Resources was empowered to decide whether the representation raised serious questions of fact or law that ought to be referred to the Industrial Court, before such reference was made.
- The Industrial Court is now empowered to continue with the hearing of the matter notwithstanding the death of the workman. Previously, upon the death of the workman, the Industrial Court proceedings would be disposed of.
- The application of interest on Industrial Court awards at the rate of 8% per annum or such lesser rate as the Industrial Court may direct. Previously, the Industrial Court had no power to make an award for interest.
- An unsatisfied party can now appeal directly to the High Court against an Industrial Court award. Previously, there was no avenue to appeal against an Industrial Court award, and an unsatisfied party only had recourse to judicial review proceedings.
