¹[ ²[25B. Definition of continuous service.--Forthe purposes of this Chapter,--
         (1) a workman shall be said to be in continuous service for a period if he is, for that period, in uninterrupted service, including service which may be interrupted on account of sickness or authorised leave or an accident or a strike which is not illegal, or a lock-out or a cessation of work which is not due to any fault on the part of the workman;
         (2) where a workman is not in continuous service within the meaning of clause (1) for a period of one year or six months, he shall be deemed to be in continuous service under an employer--
             (a) for a period of one year, if the workman, during a period of twelve calendar months preceding the date with reference to which calculation is to be made, has actually worked under the employer for not less than--
                 (i) one hundred and ninety days in the case of a workman employed below ground in a mine; and
                 (ii) two hundred and forty days, in any other case;
             (b) for a period of six months, if the workman, during a period of six calendar months preceding the date with reference to which calculation is to be made, has actually worked under the employer for not less than--
                 (i) ninety-five days, in the case of a workman employed below ground in a mine; and
                 (ii) one hundred and twenty days, in any other case.
         Explanation.--For the purposes of clause (2), the number of days on which a workman has actually worked under an employer shall include the days on which--
             (i) he has been laid-off under an agreement or as permitted by standing orders made under the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 (20 of 1946), or under this Act or under any other law applicable to the industrial establishment;
             (ii) he has been on leave with full wages, earned in the previous years;
             (iii) he has been absent due to temporary disablement caused by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment; and
             (iv) in the case of a female, she has been on maternity leave; so, however, that the total period of such maternity leave does not exceed twelve weeks.]]