The data supplied to the ILO do not include statistics on sympathetic or political strikes or on gheraos (harassment of employers, etc. by workers preventing them from leaving the premises until their claims are granted) which result in work stoppages. The statistics for these types of action are collected and published separately.
Working to rule and overtime bans are excluded.
Minimum threshold At least 10 workers involved.
Economic activities
Industries performing services relating to sovereign functions are excluded, as there is no responsibility for reporting.
Workers
Workers directly involved and workers indirectly involved. In addition to regular paid employees, including part-time workers, the statistics cover temporary, casual and seasonal workers, and unpaid family workers. Workers laid off, or absent on sick leave, annual leave or absent for other reasons are not included.
No particular occupational groups are excluded.
Geographic areas Not available.
Types of data collected number of strikes and lockouts number of workers involved duration time not worked matter in dispute outcome of strike or lockout method of settlement wages lost production loss affiliation of union of workers to central organisation of workers sector (private or public)
Concepts and definitions
Strike
A cessation of work by a body of persons employed in any industry acting in combination, or a concerted refusal, or a refusal under a common understanding, of any number of persons who are or have been so employed to continue to work or to accept employment.
Lockout
The temporary closing of a place of employment or the suspension of work or the refusal by an employer to continue to employ any number of persons employed by him.
These definitions come from the Industrial Dispute Act 1947.