The Plantation Labour Act of 1951 was enacted to provide for the welfare of plantation workers throughout India except Jammu and Kashmir. The Act initially applied to tea, coffee, rubber and cinchona plantations but states can extend it to other crops with approval. The Act addresses registration of plantations, health and welfare facilities for workers including drinking water, sanitation, medical care, canteens, crèches, housing and more. It also covers working hours and leave, accident reporting, and penalties for violations. The Act aims to improve conditions for plantation workers through these regulatory provisions.

1. Plantations Labour Act, 1951
Tea Districts Emigrant Labour Act, 1832, Workmen’s Breach of Contract Act, 1859,
Factories Act, 1881,Since these and other subsequent laws covered plantations labour
only to a very limited extent Plantation Labour Act, 1951 was enacted to provide for
their welfare for whole of India expect Jammu & Kashmir state.
OBJECTIVE:
 An Act to provide for the welfare of labour, and to regulate the conditions of
work, in plantations.
APPLICATION OF LAW:
It applies in the first instance to all tea, coffee, rubber and cinchona plantations, but any
State Government may, subject to the approval of the Central Government, by
notification in the Official Gazette, apply to any other case of plantations within that
State. For growing any other plant, if after obtaining approval of Central Government,
State Government so directs.
THE PLANTATION ACT INCLUDE:
 REGISTRATION OF PLANTATIONS
 INSPECTING STAFF
 Appointment of registering officers (Section 3-A)
 Registration of plantations (Section 3-B(1)
 Power to make rules. State Government may make rules to carry out purposes of
this Chapter (Section 3-D)
 Form of application
 Form of certificate of registration
 Particulars regarding change above
 Appeal authority and fees
 Registers to be kept by registering officer

2.  HEALTH
 WELFARE
 Chief Inspector and Inspectors (Section 4)
 Power and functions of Inspectors (Section 5)
 Facilities to be afforded to Inspectors (Section 6)
 Certifying surgeons (Section 7)
 Drinking water (Section 8)
 Conservancy (Section 9)
 Medical facilities are to be provided for workers and their families (Section
10(1)
 Canteen
 For one hundred and fifty workers (Section 11)
 Crèches
 For fifty or more women workers or twenty or more children of women
workers (Section 12)
 Recreational facilities (Section 13)
 Educational facilities
 For children between age of six and twelve of workmen exceeding twenty
five in number (Section 14)
 Housing facilities
 It is to be duty of employer to provide and maintain housing (Section 15)
 Power to make rules relating to housing (Section 16)
 Other facilities like umbrellas, blankets, rain-coats for protection from rain or
cold (Section 17)
 Welfare officers
 For three hundred or more workers (Section 18)

3.  HOURS AND LIMITATION OF EMPLOYMENT
 LEAVE WITH WAGES
 ACCIDENTS
 PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE
 Weekly hours (Section 19)
 Weekly holidays (Section 20)
 Daily intervals of rest (Section 21)
 Spread-over (Section 22)
 Notice of period of work (Section 23)
 Night work for women and children (Section 25)
 Non-adults to carry tokens (Section 26)
 Certificate of fitness (Section 27)
 Power to require medical examination (Section 28)
 Application of this chapter (Section 29)
 Annual leave with wages (Section 30)
 Wages during leave period (Section 31)
 Sickness and maternity benefits (Section 32)
 Notice of accident (Section 32-A)
 Register of accidents (Section 32-B)
 Obstruction (Section 33)
 Use of false certificate of fitness (Section 34)
 Contravention of provisions regarding employment of labour (Section 35)
 Other offences (Section 36)
 Enhanced penalty after previous conviction (Section 37)
 Power of court to make orders (Section 37-A)
 Exemption of employer from liability in certain cases (Section 38)
 Cognizance of offences (Section 39)

4.  MISCELLANEOUS
 Power to give directions (Section 41)
 Power to exempt (Section 42)
 General power to make rules (Section 43)