JUDGMENT

Altamas Kabir, J. - Leave granted.

2. The short point for decision in these appeals is whether in view of Section 18 of the Apprentices Act, 1961 (hereinafter called the "1961 Act") the 1st Addl. Labour Court, Chennai, was justified in holding that the respondent who had been appointed as an apprentice by the appellant herein was a "workman" within the meaning of Section 2 (s) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (hereinafter referred to as the 1947 Act). The said question also gives rise to the issue as to whether the Labour Court was right in holding that the termination of the respondents apprenticeship was in violation of Section 25-F of the 1947 Act and consequently whether he was entitled to reinstatement with continuity in service and all back wages and other concessions accruing to him.

3. A few facts are required to be set out to appreciate the award passed by the Labour Court.

4. The case made out by the respondent before the Labour Court under Section 2 (a) of the 1947 Act was that he had joined the appellant herein as a casual labourer on daily wages on 6th April, 1987. According to him he had continued to work in the Marketing Development Centre of t