DECISION ' The appellant had filed a grievance application alleging that he had been removed by the respondents from service as a Turner, but there was no prayer for re-instatement as he had found employment elsewhere. He had however claimed a sum of Rs,1,91,738.16 towards gratuity and other dues. The petition was contested on a number of grounds but all that needs mention here is that as the number of workers with the respondents was below 20, the petition was not maintainable under the Standing Orders Ordinance. This contention had prevailed before the Labour Court and the petition was dismissed.
2. It is true that the appellant had mentioned in his affidavit-in-evidence that there were 29 workers whom he had named and 5 unnamed helpers, but there was a denial to the existence of quite a number of them. Nobody has been produced from amongst them or from outside. The appellant was also confronted with the Attendance Register, the Wage Register and the Bhatta Register.
3. Ghulam Nabi, the Proprietor of the concern was not tested in cross-examination about their authenticity. The latter had also mentioned that he was submitting his returns to the Government six monthly, as required under the Factories Act and had shown his readiness even to produce the requisite record. No demand was made for its submission.
4. There being nothing beyond the words of the appellant in support of A his version, the petition was rightly dismissed. There being no substance, I will maintain the order and dismiss the appeal.