Go-Slow Strikes In India: A Legitimate Illegality
- IJLLR Journal
- Nov 13, 2025
- 1 min read
Disha Munjal, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies
Saurabh Sharma, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies
ABSTRACT
The “go-slow” strike is one of the most debated forms of industrial protest. Unlike a normal strike, where work completely stops, a go-slow involves employees deliberately reducing their speed of work while staying on duty. This blurs the line between obedience and protest, creating a legal dilemma for courts and lawmakers. In India, both the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (IDA) and the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (IRC) regulate strikes but do not clearly define or permit go-slow actions. Courts have generally viewed it as a dishonest practice, while workers see it as a peaceful way to put pressure on employers without risking dismissal. This paper examines the legal position of go-slow actions in India, analyses important judicial decisions, and compares international practices. It argues that India’s strict approach is outdated and that a more balanced legal framework should be adopted.
