WORKMEN OF BALMER LAWRIE AND CO. vs BALMER LAWRIE AND CO.

The Supreme Court held that the age of retirement for clerical and subordinate staff should be increased from 55 to 58 years, emphasizing the need for such adjustments in light of changing circumstances. The Court ruled that the principle of gradual advancement towards a living wage must guide industrial adjudication, allowing for wage structure re-examination based on merit rather than strict adherence to res judicata. The judgment followed precedents such as Guest, Keen Williams Private Ltd. v. P.J. Sterling and Workmen of M/s. Jessop & Co. Ltd. v. M/s Jessop & Co., reinforcing the need for flexibility in industrial disputes.