An Inspector-cum-Facilitator is a public servant appointed by the appropriate government (Central or State) to oversee and enforce the provisions of the new Labour Codes, including the Code on Wages and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code. Unlike the legacy system, their mandate is dual-focused: they act as an authority for inspection and a facilitator for compliance.
Dual Role: Enforcement and Facilitation
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Facilitation & Advisory: Their first responsibility is to provide guidance to employers and employees on how to effectively comply with the codes. This includes educating stakeholders on wage standards, safety protocols, and bonus calculations.
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Inspection & Enforcement: They retain the power to conduct workplace inspections, examine employment records, and inquire into accidents or dangerous occurrences. They can demand the production of documents, take statements, and seize relevant records if an offence is suspected.
Key Powers and Responsibilities
Under the unified regulatory framework, an Inspector-cum-Facilitator holds several specialized powers:
- Web-Based Randomized Inspections: To ensure transparency and reduce bureaucracy, inspections are often conducted through a web-based, randomized selection system.
- Compliance Assistance: They assist establishments in understanding their legal obligations and implementing necessary measures to meet statutory requirements.
- Dispute Resolution: They can facilitate the resolution of wage-related disputes through mediation and conciliation processes before moving to legal action.
- Corrective Action Notices: Before initiating prosecution for certain violations, they must typically give the employer an opportunity to rectify the defect within a specified period.
- Prohibitory Orders: In cases of imminent danger—such as in mines or hazardous factories—they have the authority to prohibit specific operations until safety standards are met.
Why Change Matters to Compliance
The shift to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator model is designed to promote the ease of doing business while strengthening worker protections. For organizations, this means a more predictable and less intrusive regulatory environment, where the focus is on voluntary compliance and transparency.
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