INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF INDIA vs INTERNATIONAL AIR CARGO WORKERS' UN.&ANR

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Madras High Court, restoring the award of the Industrial Tribunal which mandated the International Airport Authority of India (IAAI) to consider the employment of workers previously employed by Airfreight Private Ltd. The Court emphasized that despite the lack of privity of contract between IAAI and the workers, the principle of social justice necessitated that IAAI should accommodate the workers to mitigate their hardship. The judgment reinforces the obligation of employers to consider the welfare of displaced workers in transitions of service contracts under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.