1. Respondents (1) and (2) are compositors of the printing press belonging to the petitioner. In October, 1975 they filed a joint petition before the Labour Court, under S 33 - C (2) of the Industrial Disputes Act, claiming difference between wages actually paid and wages payable under the Minimum Wages Act. The 1st respondent's claim was for the period from 1-8-1967 to 30-9-1975 and the 2nd respondent's for the period from 1-2-1969 to 30-9-1975. Overruling the objections of the petitioner-employer, the Labour Court held that the respondents were entitled to get Rs. 3, 405/-and Rs. 1, 596/-respecti-vely. This writ petition is directed against Ext. P6 order of the Labour Court.

2. It was contended before the Labour Court that the petitioner was bound to pay wages only at the rates specified in Ext. P5 agreement of 1974. That contention was rightly rejected by the Court in the light of S.25 of the Minimum Wages Act. which declares as void all contracts or agreements providing for payment of wages at rates lower than those fixed under the Act. The petitioner may be right in bis contention that the belated claims for arrears, for more than 8 years in one case and 6 years in