LABOUR WELFARE AND TRADE UNIONS

INTRODUCTION Men, materials and money are regarded as the three important factors of production. Men constitute the organization at all levels and are regarded as dynamic factor of production. It is not very difficult to handle material resources, but without the efficient use of human resources, management can never accomplish the end results. Even is those industries where automatic machines have been introduced, labour is still regarded as a dominant factor or production for increasing productivity. The growing attention that is being paid to labour problems at the present time is an indication of the increasing importance of the working class in the economic and social structure of modern communities. In order to get the best results from the employees, management must be aware of what employees expect from their employers. It is for management to see that the workers get economic, social and individual satisfaction. For providing such satisfaction, labour welfare activities are undertaken. Labour welfare implies the setting up of minimum desirable standards of the provision of facilities like health, food, clothing, housing, medical assistance, education, insurance, job security, recreation etc. such facilities enable the worker and his family to lead a good work life, family life and social life. In the words of Prof. H.S.Kirkaldy- The whole field of welfare is one in which much can be done to combat the sense of frustration of the industrial workers, to relieve them of the personal and family worries, to improve their health, to offer them some sphere in which they can excel others and to help to a wider conception of life. In the report II of the ILO Asian Regional conference, it has been stated that workers welfare may be understood to mean such services, facilities and amenities which may be established outside or in the vicinity of undertakings, to enable to enable the persons employed there in to perform their work in healthy and congenial surroundings and to provide them with amenities conducive to good health and high morale. According to N.M.Joshi, welfare wor4k Covers all the efforts which employers take for the benefit of their employees over and above the minimum standards of working conditions fixed by the Factories Act and over and above the provisions of the social legislation providing against accident, old age, unemployment and sichness. Labour welfare work, thus embraces in its fold all efforts which have their object for the improvement of health, safety, welfare and general well being of the workers. It is confined to those activities, undertaken statutorily or otherwise, inside the industrial premises or outside it, by any agency, government, employers which do not come under social insurance conditions

and which lead to improvement in health, efficiency and happiness of industrial workers and their families e.g., recreational, medical, educational, washing bathing, transport facilities, canteens and crches, etc.

SCOPE OF LABOUR WELFARE The scope of labour welfare activities is very wide and includes in its fold all efforts in the form of amenities which vary from place to place, industry to industry and time to time. Labour welfare activities are broadly classified as (i) statutory, (ii) Non-statutory of voluntary (iii) mutual. Statutory provisions relating to welfare of workers have been promulgated by the government of India in different enactments viz, Factories Act, 1948; Mines Act, 1952; The Motor transport Workers Act, 1961; Dock Workers (safety, health Act,1951; The merchant 1961; Plantation labour Act, 1951; The Merchant shipping Act, 1958;) Coal Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1974 and MICA Mines Labour Welfare Fund; etc. the provision contained in these Acts are usually required to provide the minimum standards of health, safety and welfare of workers. Employers are supposed to adhere to these provisions. Voluntary welfare includes all those activities which employers undertake for their employees on voluntary basis. It is a philanthropic approach on the part of the employer to provide various welfare facilities to the workers over and above the statutory measures. Some of the important voluntary welfare activities on the part of the employers may be provision of housing facilities, transportation, recreational facilities, formation of cooperative societies, childrens education, loans for purchasing bicycles, scooters, cars and grains, provision of library, leave travel concessions, uniforms and gifts etc. Mutual welfare is a corporate enterprise undertaken by the workers themselves of their organization called trade unions. In India, the trade unions are financially weak and are unable to undertake such activities on required scale. However, in advanced countries the labour welfare activities are the important functions of trade unions. The Committee of experts on welfare facilities for Industrial workers constituted by the by the I.L.O. in 1963 had divided the welfare services into two groups.
(a) Welfare amenities within the precincts of the establishment (intermural) :Latrines

and urinals, washing and bathing facilities, crches, rest rooms and canteens, arrangements for drinking water, arrangements for prevention of fatigue, health services including occupational safety, administrative arrangements within a plant to look after welfare, uniforms and protective clothing and shift allowance.

(b) Welfare amenities outside the establishment (extra-mural) : Maternity benefit, social insurance measures including sports, cultural activities, library and reading room, holiday homes and leave travel facilities, workers cooperatives including consumers cooperative stores, fair price shops and cooperative thrift and credit societies, vocational training for dependents of workers, other programmes for the welfare of women, youth and children and transport to and from the place or work. Thus, labour welfare is very comprehensive and embraces a multitude of activities of employers, state, trade unions and other agencies to help workers and their families in the context of their industrial life. Thus the scope of labour welfare is fairly wide. The concept of labour welfare embraces a multitude of activities including all extra mural, intra mural activities, as well as statutory and non-statutory welfare measures undertaken by the employees, the government and the trade unions to help workers and their families in the context of their industrial life. It is therefore, concluded that labour welfare is a convenient term to cover all those aspects of industrial life which contribute to the well being of a worker.

IMPORTANCE AND NECESSITY OF LABOUR WELFARE The necessity for labour welfare is felt all the more in our country because its developing economy aimed at rapid economic and social development. The need for labour welfare was felt by the Royal Commission on Labour in 1931. The philosophy of labour welfare and its necessity was mentioned in a resolution passed by the Indian National Congress on fundamental rights and economic programme in its Karachi Session in 1931. The resolution demanded that the organization of economic life in the country must confirm to the principles of justice and it might secure an decent standard of living. It also emphasized that the state should safeguard the interest of industrial workers and should secure for them by suitable legislation a living wage, healthy conditions of work, limited hours of labour, suitable machinery for the settlement of disputes consequences of old age sickness and unemployment, Following motives and consideration have p0romotede employers to provide welfare measure:(1) It is helpful in winning over their employees, loyalty and to combat trade unionism. (2) It builds up a stable labour force by reducing labour turnover and absenteeism. (3) It raises the morale of workers. A feeling is developed among the workers that they are being looked after properly. (4) One of the objects for provision of welfare activities in recent times by certain employers is to save themselves from heavy taxes on surplus.

(5) The purpose behind provision of welfare activities by some companies is to enhance their image and to create an atmosphere of goodwill between the labour and management and also between management and the public. (6) The social evils prevalent in the labour force such as gambling, drinking etc. are reduced to the minimum. It brings improvement in the health of the workers and keeps them cheerful.

AGENCIES IN LABOUR WELFARE WORK The problems of labour welfare are immense and manifold and as such cant be tackled by on single agency successfully. Certain welfare activities can be easily carried by the employers inside the factory premises viz; canteens, recreational facilities, provision of dispensary and crches etc. Certain other measures viz; educational and employee state insurance etc., may be undertaken by the State and certain measures may be suggested by the workers associations and trade unions. Suggestions made by All India Union Congress in their memorandum to the Malviya Committee may be cited in this regard. In the opinion of the committee Some of the essential items of welfare work should be kept to be made by rules. As there will be difficulties for enforcing some of the welfare activities such as crches, washing and bathing facilities in the cases of small factories we suggest that some or these welfare activities should be made available in industrial areas for the general body of workers for whom no separate provision could be made by the employer and these facilities should be made under municipal or government control, but may be financed by the employers. Labour welfare work is generally undertaken by three main agencies viz; (a) The employers, (b) The workers organisation and (c) the state government. A brief mention of these agencies is made as follows :Employers role in welfare work, Employer is in direct contact with the employees. His role is pivotal in providing welfare facilities to the employees over and above what is laid down by law. There is no denying the fact that some of the leading industrialists in india are pioneers in providing welfare amenities to their employees. Some of these employers in this regard are the Delhi cloth and general mills, Delhi, Mafatlals, J.K. Group, Godrej, Larsen and Teubro Pfizzer, Voltas, Philips, Bajaj, Tisco & Telco etc. they have felt the necessity of welfare work and its importance in the interest of the industry and the workers. Various welfare amenities provided by the employers to the employees include educational facilities, medical facilities, transport facilities, recreational facilities, housing facilities and consumer cooperative societies etc. the dimension of welfare work undertaken by the employers is diverse in nature on account of different conditions from industry to industry and from unit to unit in the same industry.

Labour welfare work by workers associations. This includes the welfare activities provided by the unions for the benefit of their members, out of their own funds and also organised by these unions. Various trade unions have done commendable work in the field of labour welfare. The welfare activities undertaken by the Ahemdabad Textile labour Association are worth mentioning. The association conducts various cultural and social centres spread over the labour intensive areas of th city of Ahemdabad. The Mill Majdoor Union, Indore has set up various labour welfare centers to provide recreational and other amenities to its members. It also provides educational facilities and games to the children of the employees. Night classes, reading rooms, facilities of indoor and outdoor games are also provide to the employees. For the welfare of women employees educational facilities and crafts stitching etc., is also provided. Similar other association like, The Majdoor Sabha, Kanpur. The Rastriya Mill Majdoor Sangh, Bomby and the Textile Laour Association (Majdoor Mahajah) etc., are also offering many facilities for considerable improvements in the well being of the workers and their families.

LABOUR WELFARE WORK BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT Not much contribution could be made by the Central Government in the field of labour welfare prior to the Second World War. The government started taking interest in the field of labour welfare during the Second World War. It extended the schemes of labour welfare in ordnance and ammunition factories. A labour welfare advisor was appointed in 1942 for promoting the labour welfare work. A labour welfare fund was constituted in the year 1946 for financing the labour welfare measures outside the purview of statutory provisions in public sector undertakings. The Government of India favoured the idea of welfare state. The government passed certain Acts, viz, Factories Act, 1948, the Coal Mines labour Welfare Fund Act, 1947, the Iron Ore Mines Welfare Cess Act, 1961 and the Limestone and Dolomite Mines Labour Welfare Act, 1972, etc., are important Acts, covering the welfare of the workers. In five years plans also, Government of India has earmarked huge funds for the welfare of the workers. It provided 6.74 crores in the First Five- Year Plan, Rs. 29 crores in the Second, Rs. 71.08 crores in the third, Rs. 35.5 crores during three annual plans (during plan holiday) Rs. 39.9 crores in the Fourth, Rs. 57 crores in the Fifth and Rs. 130.82 crores in the Sixth five year plan.

LABOUR WELFARE WORK BY STATE GOVERNMENTS Various State Government and union territories have establishe different welfare centres which are providing educational, recreational and other facilities to the workers. Different cultural activities, games, sports, training in handicrafts, library, gymnasium and tailoring classes for women workers are being provided by different State Governments. The State Governments have passed labour Welfare Funds Acts from time to time to safeguard the interests of the workers and their families. Some of the important Acts passed by the State Governments Are: the Bombay labour welfare Fund Act (1953) ; the Mysore Labor Welfare Fund Act (1965) etc. The main sources of finances for these funds are (i) fines realized from the employees, (ii) unpaid wages, bonus, gratuity and all unpaid arrears. (iii) fines imposed on the employers by courts for defaults; (iv) Voluntary donations, (v) any fund transferred from any other labour welfare fund; (vi) all grants from the Central/State Governments; (vii) unclaimed forfeited sums in Provident Fund Accounts and (viii) Any sum borrowed, etc.

Labour Welfare Under Factories Act The Factories Act 1948 contains the following provisions relating to Labour Welfare;(1) Washing Facilities.

In every factory (a) adequate and suitable facilities shall be provided and maintained for the use of workers ; (b) separate and adequately screened facilities shall be provided for the use of male and female workers; (c) such facilities shall be easily accessible and shall be kept clean. place should exist for keeping clothing not worn during working hours and for the drying of wet clothing.

(2) Facilities for storing and drying clothing. In every factory provision for suitable

(3) Facilities for sitting. In every factory, suitable arrangements for sitting shall be

provided and maintained for all workers who are obliged to work in a standing position so that the workers may take advantage of any factory workers can efficiently do their work in a sitting position, the Chief inspector may require the occupier of the factory to provide such seating arrangements as may be practicable.
(4) First aid appliance.

Under the Act, the provision for first-aid appliances are obligatory. Atleast on first-aid box or cupboard with the prescribed contents should be maintained for every 150 workers. It should be readily accessible during all working hours. Each first-aid box or cupboard shall be kept in the charge of a separate responsible person who holds a certificate in the first-aid treatment recognised by the

State government and who shall always be readily available during the working hours of the factory. In every factory wherin more than 500 workers are ordinarily employed there shall be provided and maintained an ambulance room of the prescribed size containing the prescribed equipment the ambulance room shall be in the charge of properly qualified medical and nursing staff. These facilities shall always be made redily avialble during the working hours of the factory.
(5) Canteens.

In every factory employing more than 250 workers, the State government may make rules requiring that a canteen or canteens shall be provided for the use of workers. Such rules may provide for (a) the date by which the canteen shall be provided, (b) the standards in respect of construction, accommodation, furniture and other equipment of the canteen ; (c) the foodstuffs to be served therin and charges which may be made therof; (d) the constitution of a managing committee for the canteens and representation of the workers in the management of the canteen; (e) the items of expenditure in the running of the canteen which are not to be taken into account in fixing the cost of foodstuffs and which shall be borne by employer; (f) the delegation to the Chief inspector, of the power to make rules under clause (c). In every factory wherin more than 150 workers are ordinarily employed, there shall be a provision for shelters, rest room and a suitable lunch room where workers can eat meals brought by them with provision for drinking water. Where a lunch room exists, no worker shall eat any food in the work room. Such shelters or rest rooms or lunch rooms shall be sufficiently lighted and ventilated and shall be maintained in a cool and clean condition. In every factory wherin more than 30 women workers are ordinarily employed there shall be provided and maintained a suitable room or rooms for the use of children under the age of six years of such women. Such rooms shall provide adequate accommodation, shall be adequately lighted and ventilated, shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be under the charge of women trained in the care of children and infants.

(6) Shelters, rest rooms and lunch rooms.

(7) Creches.

The state government may make rules for the provision of additional facilities for the care of children belonging to women workers including suitable provision of facilities :(a) For washing and changing their clothing (b) Of free milk or refreshment or both for the children, and (c) For the mothers of children to feed them at the necessary intervals.

(8) Welfare officers.

In every factory wherin 500 more workers are ordinarily employed the occupier shall employ in the factory such number of welfare officers as may be prescribed under Sec. 49(a). The State government may prescribe the duties, qualifications and conditions of service of such officers.