Petitioners, two in number, were Abkari contractors. First petitioner bid i auction certain arrack shops during the financial year 1982-83. He had respondents to 24 under his employment during that period. On expiry of his licence, he ceasa to have any connection whatsoever with the shop on 31-3-1983. Respondents 3 to 2 approached Labour Court, Kollam invoking the provisions under S.33C (2) of th Industrial Disputes Act claiming retrenchment compensation and notice pay. Their petition was entertained as C.P.7/1985. Labour Court allowed that petition and directs first petitioner herein to pay a sum of Rs.693/- each to respondents 3 to 24. The ton amount payable by the first petitioner comes to Rs.15, 246/-.

2. Second petitioner was the licensee of certain arrack shops during the Abkari year 1983-84. Respondents 3 to 14 were workers under him. On the expiry of the period of licence, second petitioner ceased to have any connection whatsoever with the shop" nth effect from 31-3-1984. Respondents 3 to 14 raised a contention that they were retrenched from service with effect from 1-4-1984 and that they are entitled to notice pay and retrenchment compensation. For getting this