Mumbai Notes

MRs are workmen, says courtThe Mumbai Labour Court recently recognised medical representatives (MRs) as `workmen’ within the scope of the Sales Promotion Employees’ Act. Fourth Labour Court’s presiding officer M R Kulkarni granted MRs legal protection while deciding on an application for recovery of dues by K B Kadam, an MR with the France Indian Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Mumbai. On March 3, 1997, Kadam wore a protest badge while on duty following which the company deducted his salary for that day. The company’s argument was that it was free to cut Kadam’s salary as MRs are not workmen as per the Industrial Disputes Act.