VIZAGAPATAM DOCK LABOUR BOARD vs STEVEDORES ASSOCIATION, VISHAKHAPATNAM & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that the Vizagapatnam Dock Labour Board is not the employer of dock workers, as per the Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1948 and the Vizagapatnam Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Scheme, 1959. The Court found that the claim for bonus was specifically against the Stevedores Association and its members, and thus the Industrial Tribunal erred in holding the Board liable. The Board's role is administrative, ensuring regular employment for dock workers without establishing an employer-employee relationship.