Summary: The Bombay High Court decided that the retirement age policy of the National Textile Corporation (NTC) was unfair to female employees. The court ordered that women should also be allowed to work until 63, just like men.
Who’s Involved?
This case involved two main people: Priyanka Pradeep Chavan and Shilpa S. Chandankar. Both worked at NTC as Chief Clerks.
The Issue:
NTC had a rule where men could work until 63, but women had to stop working at 60. Priyanka and Shilpa argued that this rule was unfair.
Judges on the Case:
The case was heard by Judges Ravindra V. Ghuge and Ashwin D. Bhobe. They found the rule unfair and decided in favor of Priyanka and Shilpa.
Key Points from the Decision:
Unfairness Identified: The court agreed that having different retirement ages for men and women was unfair. Judge Ghuge said, "This would surely amount to gender discrimination, bias, and inequality."
Same Retirement Age for Everyone: The court ordered NTC to change their rules so that women can also retire at 63, the same as men.
Continued Employment:
Both Priyanka and Shilpa could keep working until they turned 63. The court also made sure they would get paid for the time they were forced to stop working.
Financial Compensation:
The court decided that both women should receive back pay with 6% interest for the time they were not allowed to work. They were also entitled to retirement benefits, including gratuity, with interest.
Setting an Example:
This case sets an example for other companies with similar unfair rules, emphasizing the need for equal treatment in job terms.
Quote from the Decision:
“Providing for retention only of male employees and keeping the female employees out of the purview of this facility is wholly arbitrary and discriminatory.”
The court's decision in favor of Priyanka Chavan and Shilpa S. Chandankar is an important move towards fairness for both genders at work. It shows how important it is to have fair job practices and sets a standard for other organizations to follow.
