Overview

The Trade Unions Act (CAP. T14) is a comprehensive legislative framework governing the formation, registration, operation, and dissolution of trade unions and federations of trade unions. The Act is organized into five parts: Part I covers trade unions, including registration procedures (Sections 1-10), general provisions affecting trade unions (Sections 11-26), and rules on change of name, merger, and alteration of rules (Sections 27-29). Part II addresses Federations of Trade Unions (Sections 30-33), Part III deals with the Federation of Trade Unions (Sections 34-36, referencing 2005 No. 17), Part IV outlines accounts and returns for registered bodies (Sections 37-42), and Part V contains miscellaneous and general provisions (Sections 43-56). Key sections include: Section 1 defines a 'trade union'; Section 2 prohibits unregistered trade unions from functioning; Section 3 details application for registration; Section 4 lists matters to be provided in registered rules; Section 5 outlines procedure on receipt of application; Section 6 restricts names; Section 7 allows cancellation of registration; Section 8 provides for appeals; Sections 9-10 cover compulsory and voluntary dissolution; Section 11 prohibits armed forces and police from forming or joining trade unions; Section 12 prohibits discriminatory membership restrictions; Section 13 disqualifies convicted persons from holding office; Section 14 limits the number of unions an official can hold; Section 15 restricts political use of dues; Section 16 restricts use of funds for certain proceedings; Section 17 allows deduction of wages; Section 18 mandates payment of dues to the Federation; Section 19 allows injunctions for misapplication of funds; Section 20 addresses membership of persons under 21; Section 21 requires a registered office; Section 22 mandates sale of rules on demand; Sections 23-26 list benefits of registration, including that trade unions are not unlawful, protection from tort actions, obligatory recognition, and right to nominate beneficiaries. Parts II-III regulate federations, including formation (Section 30), admission of members (Section 31), application of Part I provisions (Section 32), and restrictions on holding office (Section 33). Part IV requires annual returns (Section 37), accountability of officials (Section 38), audited accounts to the Registrar (Section 39), power to call for accounts (Section 40), investigation of unsatisfactory accounts (Section 41), and power of Registrar to institute proceedings (Section 42). Part V covers peaceful picketing (Section 43), actions in contemplation of trade disputes (Section 44), exemption from companies legislation (Section 45), the Registrar of Trade Unions (Section 46), Gazette notifications (Section 47), penalties for false copies (Section 48), false information (Section 49), general penalty (Section 50), jurisdiction (Section 51), validity of acts (Section 52), regulations (Section 53), interpretation (Section 54), repeals and transitional provisions (Section 55), and short title (Section 56). Schedules include matters for union rules (First Schedule), repeals (Second Schedule), and a list of restructured trade unions affiliated to the Federation (Third Schedule, Parts A-C).

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