Section 12: Membership of trade union not to be restricted on discriminatory grounds.(As Amended by Section 2 of the Trade Unions (Amendment) Act, 2005)

(1) A person who is othewise eligible for membership of a particular trade union shall not be refused admission to membership of that union by reason only that he is of a particular community, tribe, place of origin, religion or political opinion.
(2) If any person is refused admission to membership of a trade union in contravention of subsection (1) of this section, the union and every official thereof shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
(3) If any provision in the rules of a trade union is inconsistent with subsection (1) of this section, that provision shall,to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.
(4) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act, membership of a trade union by employees shall be voluntary and no employee shall be forced to join any trade union or be victimized for refusing to join or remain a member.