THE STANDARD-VACUUM REFINING CO.OF INDIA LTD. vs ITS WORKMEN AND OTHERS.

The Supreme Court held that the dispute raised by the workmen regarding the abolition of the contract system of labor was an industrial dispute under Section 2(k) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The Court affirmed the Tribunal's decision that the workmen had a community of interest with the contractor's employees and a substantial interest in the dispute, thus making the reference competent under Section 10. The Tribunal's direction to abolish the contract system was deemed just and appropriate, and the appeal was dismissed.