Professional Documents
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ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY
DIRECTORATE OF DISTANCE EDUCATION
LABOUR WELFARE
LESSONS : 1 – 24
Copyright Reserved
(For Private Circulation Only)
M.B.A. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Second Year
LABOUR WELFARE
Editorial Board
Members
Internals
Dr. K. Anandanatarajan Dr. T. Vezhavan
Assistant Professor Assistant Professor
Department of Business Administration Department of Business Administration
Annamalai University Annamalai University
Annamalainagar Annamalainagar
Externals
Dr. S. Kaliyamoorthy Dr. B. Rajasekar
Director Alagappa Institute of Management Professor and Head
Alagappa University Department of Business Administration
Karaikudi University of Madras
Chennai
Lesson Writer
Dr. N. Shibu
Professor and Head
Department of Management Studies
Bharathidasan University College
Perambalur
M.B.A. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Second Year
LABOUR WELFARE
SYLLABUS
Unit–I
Labour Welfare: Meaning, Scope and Significance – Labour Welfare Agencies -
Labour Welfare Officer – Qualities of Welfare Officer- Types of Welfare Services- statutory
measures for welfare provisions- Growth and Concept of labour welfare in India.
Unit–II
Terminology and Meaning of Fringe Benefits- History and Growth of Fringe
Benefits in India – Coverage of Benefits- Administration of Benefits and Services –
Problems Raised by Benefit Programs- Human Needs: Meaning- The Changing
Nature of Human Needs- The Major Role in Need Fulfillment.
Unit–III
Welfare Officers Role & Responsibilities – Duties of Welfare Officers- Training
of Welfare Officer – Aims and Objectives of Workers Education- Recommendations
of National Commission on Labour, Meaning of Fatigue- Monotony and Boredom-
Methods for Reducing Fatigue.
Unit–IV
Significance of Occupational Health - Occupational Hazards and Diseases-
Protection Against Health Hazards - Statutory Provisions under Factories Act 1948-
Industrial Accident- Nature of Accident- Causes of Accident- Accident
Measurement- Basis of Safety Programme and Policy- Industrial Medical Officer.
Unit–V
Laws of Working Condition- Factories Act- Shops and Establishment
Act- Mines Act – Plantation Labour Act – Indian Merchants Shipping Act - Laws on
Social Security
Unit–VI
Workers Compensation Act - Maternity Benefits Act – Employees Provident
Fund Act- Payment of Gratuity Act- ESI Act.
Reference Books
1) N.G. Nair “Personal Management and Industrial Relations”, 2012.
2) R.C. Sexane “Labour Problems and Social Welfare”, 1981.
3) A.M.Sharma “Aspects of Labour Welfare and Social Security”, Himalaya
Publishing House, 2013.
4) C.B.Memoria – “Dynamic of Industrial relations in India”, Himalaya Publishing
House, 2008.
Journals and Magazines
1) The Indian labour Journal.
2) Asian Journal of Management Research.
3) Journal of Contemporary Research in Management.
4) International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Web Resources
1) delhi.gov.in/DoIT_planning/wt189.pdf
media.scribleindia.com/.../industrial-relations-and-labour-welfare.pdf
ii
necessary to judge and analyse the success of welfare programme shall recognize it
for better results.
4. Principle of timeliness
The time liners of any welfare programme help in its success. To find what the
labour welfare needs are and what kind of welfare programmes are and what kind
of welfare programmes are necessary, the time required is very important. Timely
action in proper direction is essential in any kind of welfare activities.
5. Principle of responsibility
This principle is based on the assumption that labour welfare is the joint
responsibility of employers and employees. According to this principle, labour
welfare becomes the simple and easiest task, because the responsibility is shared
by different groups.
6. Principles of association or democratic value
For the success of a welfare programme, association of employees in planning,
organizing and implementation is most essential. Employees, who have associated
in planning, organizing and implementation of welfare activities, get keenly
interested in the welfare programmes.
7. Principle of efficiency
Efficiency of the workers and welfare facilities are interdependent. Hence,
principle of efficiency plays an important role in organizing welfare facilities in the
industry. Employers quite often provide welfare facilities to their employees as it
would increase their efficiency which would in turn lead to increase in productivity.
8. Principle of co-ordination or integration
The Principle of coordination or integration plays an important in the success
of welfare programmes. Welfare measures to be effective need a co-ordination or
integration approach. This will promote a healthy development of the employees in
their work, home and community. This is essential for integrating employees to
their work environment.
9. Principle of adequacy of wages
According to this principle, workers have a right to adequate wages. Labour
welfare facilities must be provided over and above the adequate wages. That means
labour welfare measures cannot be a substitute for wages. At the same time, it is
also true that high wage rate alone cannot create healthy atmosphere nor bring
about a sense of commitment on the part of workers. A combination of wages and
labour welfare together would achieve good results.
10. Principle of re-personalization
This principle suggests that the goal of labour welfare should be the overall
development of the employees. According to this principle, labour welfare measures
help the workers to resist the poisonous effect of industrial system. Therefore, it is
necessary to organize labour welfare activities both inside and outside the factory.
5
LESSON - 2
the Bombay Mill Owner’s Association was persuaded by the State Government to
appoint its own labour officer. Cotton Textile mills followed suit and 26 labour
officers were appointed in the Bombay Textile Mills by 1940.
However, during the War, the police function gradually change to welfare
function, and the labour officer assisted in the setting up of food shops and the
organizations of sports and welfare activities for employees. Gradually this position
began to discharge the functions of a labour welfare officer. In 1946, the Labour
Investigation Committee strengthened its position and its importance was stressed
in the Factories Act of 1948, which stated that “the owner of every factory with 500
or more workers is obliged to employ the prescribed number of welfare officers.”
Who is Labour Welfare Officer?
Schedule 49 of the Factories Act 1948, provides that in every factory wherein
500 or more workers are ordinarily employed, the employer shall appoint a person
who can act as an advisor, counselor, mediator between the management and the
labour, for improving the efficiency, productivity and profitability of organization.
Here he/she is called Labour Welfare officer.
Professionally he or she should be post graduate in social science, diploma in
labour welfare, recognized by the State Government,3-5 years working experience
in Industrial Safety and finally having hard working ability and sound
communication skills.
MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION
a) To eliminate the evils of the jobber system in the recruitment of labour.
b) To develop and improve the labour administration in mills / factory.
c) To serve as a liaison with the State Labour Commissioner.
The importance of labour welfare officers in Indian Industries was emphasized
in 1931 when the Royal Commission of Labour recommended the appointment of
labour to protect the workers forms the evils of indebtedness. To act generally as a
spokesman of labour and to promote cordial settlement between the workers and
the management.
According to Mines and Factories Act, “For every mine where in 500 or more
are employed by the owner, the agent or manager shall appoint a suitably qualified
person as welfare officer”.
The committee on labour welfare (1969) has prescribed the following duties of
a labour welfare officer:
a) The Labour welfare office will be a supervisor of,
Safety, health and welfare programmes.
Working of joint committees.
Grant of leave with wages.
Redresses of workers’ grievances.
11
questions, listen attentively what the counselee says, observe the body language of
the counselee, ascertain the core problem tactfully, be patient and remain neutral,
should not offer solutions even before the counselee explains the problem, give or
impose solutions, be critical and judgmental, finally jump to final judgments and
ventilate emotions.
Through proper counseling and supervising, a labour welfare officer can help
employees and employers in many ways like:
Assists the employees to resolve difficulties in a supportive and professional
manner, Whether a crisis or something that has been worrying the employees
for sometimes, counseling can assist them to understand the problem, its
impact and to develop strategies to cope with it.
Can provide result in quicker them to understand resolution of the problems
with less strategies to cope with it.
Helping the employees to have better control over their lives, take their
decisions wisely and better charge of their responsibilities; reduce the level of
stress and anxiety.
Employees and employers both can have desirable consequences for the
organization.
Helps the organization by building a sense of commitment among the
employees that the organization care for them, Finally modify the behaviour of
the employees and more so to reinforce the desired behaviour and improve
and increase the employee productivity.
In brief, the welfare officer has to concern himself with the implementations of
labour laws and the maintenance of proper working conditions, with matters
relating to the worker’s well-being; with industrial peace and harmonious labour
relations. He has to plan to increase productivity and is expected to act, while
discharging his responsibilities, as an advisor, counselor, mediator and liaison man
between management and labour.
Approaches the Labour Welfare
Approaches to employee welfare refer to the beliefs and attitudes held by
agencies which provide welfare facilities. Some agencies provides welfare facilities
by religious faith, others as a philanthropic Jutty and the like.
The various approaches to labour welfare reflect the attitudes and beliefs of
the agencies which are engaged in welfare activities. Welfare facilities may be
provided on religious, philanthropic or some other grounds. Moreover, the different
approaches to labour welfare reflect the evolution of the concept of the welfare. I
bygone days, the government of the land had to compel the owner of an industrial
establishment to provide such basic amenities as canteens, rest rooms, drinking
water, good working conditions, and so forth, for their employees. Such compulsion
was necessary because the employer believed in exploiting labour and treating it in
13
an unfair manner. But times have changed, and the concept of welfare, too, has
undergone changes.
May progressive managements today provide welfare facilities voluntarily and
with enlightened willingness and enthusiasm. In fact, welfare facilities are not
restricted to the workers alone. They have now been extended to the society in
general. In other words, labour welfare has been extended to include social welfare.
Tata Steel works at Jamshedpur, for example, spends Rs.10 core each year on
social welfare. Brooke Bond have set up a free animal welfare clinic at Gevrai,
Aurangabad, under the direct charge of a qualified veterinary doctor. Jindal
Aluminium, Bangalore, maintains the famous Naturopathy and Yogi Sciences
Centre and a public school for the benefit of the public. The Jindal scholarship
Trust has been set up, under which deserving students are give scholarships. The
Hindustan Machine Tools has a big playground and a community hall, which are
let out for competitions and functions.
A Study of the approaches to labour welfare is desirable for the management,
the workers and the general reader. For the general reader, a study of approaches
is essential because his/her knowledge of the subject is incomplete without
knowledge of these approaches, and knowledge of approaches enables the manger
and the workers to have a better perspective on welfare work.
Necessity of Social & Industrial Welfare in India:
The signification of welfare measures were Accepted as early as 1931 when
Royal Commission on labour states that the Benefits were of great importance to
the workers which he was unable to secure by himself. The Scheme of labour
welfare may be regarded as a wise investment because these would bring a
profitable return in the form of greater efficiency. The Indian National Congress
passed a Resolution of Fundamental Rights & Economic programme in its Karachi
Session in 1931. Accordingly, the organization of Economic life in the country must
confirm to the principles of justice which will help in securing a decent standard of
living. The State should safeguard the interests of industrial workers and should
secure for them by suitable legislation, a living wage, healthy, conditions of works,
limited hours of work, suitable, machinery for the settlement of dispute between
employees and work man and safe guard against the Economic consequences of old
age, sickness & unemployment.
Types of welfare Factories within and outside the Establishment:
a) Welfare Amenities within the precincts of establishment (Intramural):
Welfare Amenities within the precincts of establishment comprises of latrines
& urinals, washing & Bathing facilities, creche, rest shelters &v canteen,
arrangement for drinking water, arrangements for prevention of Fatigue, health
services including occupational safety, administrative arrangements within a plant
to look after the welfare, uniforms & protective clothing & Shift allowances.
b) Welfare Amenities outside the Establishment (Extramural):
14
LESSON - 3
10. Rest rooms Adequate numbers of restrooms are provided to the workers with
provisions of water supply, wash basins, toilets, bathrooms, etc.
The following are also some of the Labour welfare Amenities and services
provided to the employees as per the Law. They are washing facilities, facilities for
storing and drying clothes, facilities for setting, first aid appliances, shelters, rest
rooms and lunch rooms, canteen & creche facilities.
1. Washing facilities
The Royal commission on Labour recommended that for the workers engaged
in dirty processes, suitable washing place and water should be compulsorily made
available.
The Mines Rules 1955, provides the following
1. Where a piped water supply is available, a sufficient number of water taps,
conveniently accessible shall be provided in or near Latrines.
2. If piped water supply is not available, a sufficient quantity of water shall be
kept in store at suitable receptacles near latrines.
Section 42 of factories act lays down the following:
In every Factory:
Adequate suitable facilities for washing shall be provided.
Separate & adequate screened facilities be provided for male & female workers.
Facilities should be accessible & clean.
Sec 18(c) of Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act provides that it the
duty of contractor to provide & maintain washing facilities for contract labour
connected with work of an establishment.
2. Facilities for storing & drying clothes
Such provision is incorporated only in Factories act. Under Sec.43 of the Act,
A State Government many make Rules for the Provision of suitable places for
keeping clothes not worn during working hours and for drying of wet clothes. As
per Maharastra Factory Rules 1963, such Facilities include the provisions of
separate rooms, pegs, lockers or other such arrangements approved by Chief
Inspector for factories such as Engg. workshops, Iron & steel works, Oil Mills,
chemical factories, motor garages etc.,
3. Facilities for sitting
Sec 42 of Factories Act
In every factory, suitable arrangements for sitting shall be provided and
maintained for all workers obliged to work in standing position.
If in an opinion of Chief Inspector, the workers in any factory engaged in
manufacturing process are able to do their work efficiently in sitting position,
he may, by order in writing, require the occupier of the factory to provide before
a specified date sitting arrangements for all workers.
19
3. List out the various Labour welfare Amenities &Services provided to employees
as per the law.
4. Discuss the Facilities for storing & drying clothes under Factories Act.
3.6 SUMMARY
Statutory welfare Facilities include statutory provisions for welfare work which
depend for their implementation on the coercive power of the Government. The
statutory welfare Facilities provided under Factories Act 1948, Plantation Labour Act
1951, Mines Act 1952, Motor Transport workers Act 1961 & contract Labour
(Regulation & Abolition) Act 1970 are washing facilities, facilities for storing & drying
clothes, sitting, First Aid Appliances, Shelter / Rest room & lunch rooms & canteen.
3.7 TERMINAL EXERCISE
1. Labour welfare and social security measures are also known as Hidden pay
roll.
2. Under Factories Act (Sec 48) setting up of creche is possible only when more
than 30 women workers are employed.
3. Explain the legal obligation of employer for providing facilities for storing &
drying clothing.
4. Give an account of labour welfare amenities and services provided by
employer especially in an organized sector of an industry.
3.8 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
XYZ is engaged in Manufacturing of soft leather articles for export market. Due to
expansion of trade, the company decides to recruit some Additional workers. However
the company decides that women worker will be paid only half the wage of male
workers. The company also decides not to agree to provide Educational, Medical,
Transport, Recreational & housing facilities like those for the existing workers in the
company.
Comment on the legality of above decision.
3.9 ASSIGNMENTS
Prepare Answers for
1. What are the main objectives of a consumer store
2. Comment on the standards of canteen, furniture & equipments & cleanliness
in such canteen?
3.10 SUGGESTED READING / REFERENCE BOOKS
1. Gankas, “Industrial Relations in India”.
2. Dale S. Beach “Personnel - The Management of people work”.
3. Business Today.
4. Ibid., P.426.
3.11 LEARNING ACTIVITIES
1. Discuss the Recommendation of The committee on Labour welfare for
improvement of canteen services.
3.12 KEY WORDS
1. Recreational
2. Statutory
22
3. Amenities
4. Provisions
5. Abolition
6. Chief Inspector
23
LESSON - 4
government also persuaded employers to improve their welfare schemes, there was
no notable difference in their attitudes.
In May 1944, the general charter of labour, particularly known as the
declaration of Philadelphia, was adopted by the member states of the ILO. Amongst
its aims and objective, the declaration said that labour is not a commodity and that
it is entitled to a fair deal as an active participant in any programme of economic
development or social reconstruction.
After independence, the labour welfare movement acquired new dimension. It
was realized that labour welfare had positive role to play in increasing productivity
and reducing industrial tensions. The state began to realize its social
responsibilities towards weaker sections of the society.
The constitution of India contains a list of fundamental rights and directive
principles of state policy for the achievement of social order based on justice,
liberty, equality and fraternity. It lays down that the state shall strive to promote
the welfare of the people by securing and protecting as effectively as may a social
order in which justice, social, economic and political shall inform all the
institutions of national life. In its specific application to the working classes
securing just and humane conditions of work has been highlighted with a view to
ensure them provision of a decent standard of life and full enjoyment of leisure and
social and cultural opportunities. These principles refer to the taking of the steps to
secure the participation of workers in the management of industries. Article 45 also
deals with provision of free and compulsory education for children which impliedly
included those of workers.
Various labour welfare activities were incorporated in different five year plans.
The first five year plan (1951-56) paid considerable attention to the welfare of the
working classes. It laid emphasis on the development of welfare facilities and
avoidance of industrial disputes and creating mutual goodwill and understanding.
During this period, the Plantations Labour Act 1951, the Mines act 1952 and
Employee’s Provident Fund Act 1952 were enacted. A subsidized housing scheme
for industrial workers was evolved in 1952.
The second five year plan recommended undertaking a comprehensive survey
of welfare activities. It was expected that such survey would provide a
comprehensive picture of changes taken place in respect of different aspects of
labour welfare and thereby serve a useful purpose for future assessment and
formulation of policies.
The third plan reiterated the proposition made in the earlier plans the
legislation enacted for the protection, safety and welfare of workers was adequate
and better enforcement was all that was needed.
The fourth plan without making any specific reference to the labour welfare
stressed that welfare within the establishment is a prerequisite for work efficiency.
25
The fifth five year plan also laid down programmes for labour welfare for
promoting industrial safety in increasing measure, the plan provided for labour
welfare including craftsman training and employment service.
The sixth, seventh and other five year plans also emphasized very much on
labour welfare, improvement in working and living conditions of unorganized labour
not only in the rural areas but also in the urban areas.
Labour welfare activities are organized also to attract better and qualified
workers. Such activities have made it possible for employees to persuade workers to
accept show off and advertise their concern for labour welfare by organizing labour
welfare activities. Thus, it can be said that the motive behind welfare activities are
often complex, for the belief varies from person to person. There are seven
approaches to the philosophy of theory of labour welfare. These are:
1. Philanthropic theory
2. Religious theory
3. Paternalistic or trusteeship theory
4. Public relations theory
5. The functional theory
6. The policing theory
7. Placating theory
a) Philanthropic Theory
Philanthropic, means loving mankind. The philanthropic theory is based on
man’s love for mankind. Man is believed to have spontaneous urge to better the lot
of his fellow beings. For this reason man strives to remove suffering of others and
promote their well beings. Explained from this point of view, labour welfare
activities could be act of pity on the part of employees who want to remove the
sufferings to their workers. The labour welfare movement began in the early years
of industrial revolution with the support of Robert movement began in the early
years of industrial revolution with the support of Robert Owen, philanthropist in
India, Mahatma Gandhi, Lokhande, B.P. Wadia were well known philanthropists
who stroke for the welfare of the workers.
b) Religious Theory
Many human behaviours are influenced by religious sentiments and beliefs.
Owners, as human beings do subscribe to religious sentiments and beliefs. These
religious feelings, sometimes prompt an employer to take up welfare activities in the
expectation of future benefits in this life and in future life. And closely allied to this
religious theory, we could also recognize the atonement theory. According to this
theory, some employers are prompted to take up welfare activities in a spirit of
atonement for their sins.
This theory prefers the idea that man is primarily concerned with his own
welfare and only secondarily with the welfare of others. The religious basis of
welfare, however, cannot be rational. It is neither universal nor continuous.
26
According to this view, the factory provides ample opportunities for owners to
exploit workers. The state has, therefore, to step in to prevent this kind of
exploitation and coerce owners to offer minimum standard of welfare facilities to
their workers.
Laws are enacted and enforced to compel the owners to provide congenial
working conditions. The policing theory therefore, prescribes:
a) Passing of laws requiring employers to provide for the welfare of the workers/
b) Periodical supervision to ascertain that these welfare measures are provided
and
c) Punishment of employers in case of neglect or disobedience of the law.
g) The Placating Theory
The basic assumptions behind this theory are workers are becoming conscious
of their right and privileges and they are welding themselves into more powerful,
demanding and militant groups than ever before. The workers demands can no
longer be ignored. Therefore, it is necessary to appease the workers. This could be
done by taking up timely and periodical welfare activities. The welfare activities are
considered as pacifiers. This is also the best means of securing workers’ co-
operation.
4.4 Revision points
The movement to improve the working conditions of Indian Labour started
with passing of first Indian Factories Act 1881. The establishment of ILO in 1919
was an important Landmark in the history of Labour welfare movement in our
country. The ILO declared that universal peace can be established only if it is based
upon social justice. In May 1944, ILO declaration was an Landmark which stated
that labour is not a community and that it is entitled to fair deal as an Active
Participant in any programme of Economic Development Social Reconstruction
Various Labour Welfare Activities were incorporated in different five year plans.
Thus it can be said that the Motive Behind Welfare Activities are often complex for
the belief varies from person to person.
4.5 INTEXT QUESTIONS
1. Discuss the functional theory of Labour welfare
2. What are the various incorporations with regard to Labour Welfare Activities
in different five year plans?
3. Elaborate on the policing theory of Labour Welfare
4. Discuss the Application of constitution of India for working class with respect
to labour welfare.
4.6 SUMMARY
The movement to improve the working condition of Indian Labour started with
passing of First Indian Factories Act in 1881. The establishment of ILO in 1919 was
an important landmark in the history of labour welfare movement in our country.
After Independence, Labour welfare had positive Role to play in increasing
productivity & reducing Industrial Tensions. Various Labour Welfare Activities were
28
incorporated in different five year plans. Labour welfare Activities are organized also
to attract better and qualified workers.
4.7 TERMINAL EXERCISES
1. Discuss the placating theory of Labour welfare.
2. Compare the Factories Act 1948 of India with other prominent developing
countries act.
4.8 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
1. ILO payment by Results, Oxford & IBH
2. Agarwal S.L, Labour Relations in India
3. R.Chandrasekhar, “The Buck stops here”
4. Charles R.Greer Op. Cit.,
5. The Economic Times
4.9 ASSIGNMENTS
1. Discuss the Restrictions in Factories Act 1948 relating to employment of child
& women workers of different countries.
4.10 SUGGESTED READINGS / REFERENCE BOOKS
1. John Bratton & Jeffrey gold, Human Resources Management
2. Randall S.Schuler, Effective Personnel Management
3. Industrial Relations. Labour Welfare & Labour Laws By B.Nandhakumar
4.11 LEARNING ACTIVITIES
1. Discuss the development of Labour welfare in Countries like Pakistan,
Srilanka.
4.12 KEY WORDS
1. Economic Development
2. Functional Theory
3. Labour welfare
4. Social Reconstruction
5. Trusteeship
6. Philanthropic
29
UNIT - II
LESSON - 5
adoption assistance
athletic facilities
de minimise benefits
dependent care assistance
educational assistance
employee discounts
employee stock options
employer provided cell phones
group-term life insurance coverage
health savings accounts (HSA)
lodging on business premises
meals
moving expenses reimbursements
no-additional-cost services
retirement planning services
commuting benefits
tuition reduction
work conditions benefits
All of these exemptions are subject to certain conditions. For example,
achievement awards are only exempt up to a value of $1,600 for qualified plan
awards and a value of $400 for non-qualified plan awards. For moving expenses,
the new job location must be at least 50 miles farther away from the employee’s old
home than the old job location. Some exemptions are not available to highly
compensated employees if the benefits favour them over other employees; these
include employee discounts, adoption assistance and dependent care assistance.
Most fringe benefits that are income tax-exempt are also exempt from Social
Security, Medicare and Federal Unemployment taxes, but not all: adoption
assistance is exempt from income tax only, for example.
Any fringe benefit not named above, or any of the benefits named above which
does not conform to the IRS’s rules for exemption, is taxable. Working condition
benefits are taxable to the extent that they are for personal use. For example, if an
employee receives a company computer, their taxable income would include the
computer’s fair market value multiplied by the proportion of time they devote to
personal use. If they only use it for business purposes, there’s no additional taxable
income. If 80% of their use is personal, their taxable income must include 80% of
the value of the computer.
Valuing Fringe Benefits
In general, fringe benefits are valued at fair market value. This is the amount
the employee would pay for the same benefit in a third-party, arms-length
transaction. All relevant circumstances, such as geographic area and current
31
market conditions, must be taken into account. The fair market value may be
different from the actual cost to the employer of providing the benefit; this fact does
not affect the valuation.
Valuing the use of a company vehicle is more complicated. Using the fair
market value is one option. If the car could have been leased on a cents-per-mile
basis, the miles driven can be multiplied by an IRS-determined standard cents-per-
mile rate (56 in 2014). If the employer sponsors a ride-sharing program, three or
more employees regularly commute to work in a company vehicle, and the
employees are not allowed to use the vehicle for personal reasons, the employer can
use a rate of $1.50 per employee per commute. Under certain circumstances, the
employer can use a daily or prorated annual lease value determined by the IRS.
The important objectives of fringe benefits are
a) To motivate the employees by identifying and satisfying their unsatisfied
needs.
b) To create and improve sound industrial relations.
c) To protect the health of the employees and to provide safety to the employees
against accidents.
d) To provide security to the employees against social risks like old age benefits
and maternity benefits.
e) To create a sense of belongingness among employees and to retain them.
Hence, fringe benefits are called golden handcuffs.
f) To promo the employees’ welfare.
The main features of fringe benefits, may be stated as under:
a) They are paid to all employees (unlike incentives which are paid to specific
employees whose work is above standard) based on their membership in the
organization.
b) They are supplementary forms of compensation.
c) They help raise the living conditions of employees.
d) They are indirect compensation because they are usually extended as a
condition of employment and are not directly related to performance.
e) They may be statutory or voluntary. Provident fund is a statutory benefit
whereas transport is a voluntary benefit.
History of fringe benefits
Next to wages, fringe benefits are the most important method businesses use
to entice workers to accept or stay in jobs. Fringe benefits, also known as
“employee benefits”, can be provided voluntarily by employers, required by law, or
won through collective bargaining negotiations between companies and employees.
Fringe benefits can be generally divided into those offered individually, such as
401(k) retirement plans, and those offered to employees as a group, such as
daycare facilities or free lunch. Most employee benefit plans traditionally offered
three basic benefits: health insurance, a retirement plan or pension, and additional
benefits, such as stock option plans or life insurance. A crucial advantage of fringe
32
benefits to businesses was the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allowed firms to
deduct benefits as an employee compensation expense from the taxes they owe.
Similarly while employees had to pay taxes on any increases in their salaries, their
benefits were not taxed.
In the late 1990s, medical benefits and flex-time -- allowing workers to choose
their daily work schedules -- were the two most important fringe benefits for U.S.
job seekers. medical benefits comprised the single most costly benefit for
employers. A special class of fringe benefits were “perks” (short for perquisites),
which were usually offered only to senior-level employees. Perks included mobile
car phones, executive parking, company cars, and even chauffeured limousines of a
company jet.
In the United States, fringe benefits became much more common after
collective bargaining became common in the 1930s and 1940s, giving workers the
power to persuade businesses to improve working conditions. During World War II
(1939-1945), government-mandated wage and price controls prevented companies
from giving raises, so they relied on fringe benefits to recruit and reward employees.
Fringe benefits accounted for 17 percent of the total compensation of blue-collar
workers by 1951, and 30 percent by 1981. In the 1980s employee benefit reforms
introduced by president Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) had the unintended effect of
complicating the national fringe benefits systems, and in the 1990s innovations like
customizable “cafeteria” health, insurance, vacation plans, and SIMPLE (Savings
Incentive Match Plan for Employees) benefits simplified benefits choices. During the
tight job market of the 1990s, employers began offering a more creative mix of
fringe benefits, including club memberships, legal services, home offices, and
errand services. Among the most sought-after benefits were stock options, or shares
in an employer’s stock. During the stock market boom of the 1990s some fast-
growing companies boasted that their stock options had turned secretaries and
other non-management workers into millionaires.
Fringe benefits in India
A fringe benefit is a form of pay for the performance of services. For example,
you provide an employee with a fringe benefit when you allow the employee to use a
business vehicle to commute to and from work. Although generally voluntary, some
of the most important “fringe” benefits include health insurance, retirement plans
and paid time off. Information regarding these benefits is covered in the Health
Insurance, Retirement Plans and Leave and Time Off sections. Fringe benefits
covered in this section include:
Flexible Hours
Transportation Benefits
Bonuses
Severance
Adoption Assistance
Childcare Assistance
33
Educational Assistance
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Life Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance
Company Vehicles
5.4 REVISION POINTS
Fringe benefits refers to extra benefits provided to employees in addition to the
normal compensation paid in the form of wage or salary. Fringe benefits include
health insurance, group-term life insurance coverage, educational assistance, child
care and assistance reimbursement etc. There are also certain Fringe Benefits
which are Tax-exempted. There are various objectives of fringe benefits. There are
various features of fringe benefits.
Administration of Fringe Benefits (Model)
Sl. Grade of
Particulars Processing Authority Sanctioning Authority Remarks
No. Employee
1. House Rent Assessment All Grade of RHRD / Admin. Dept (Of Administrative Head of the Standing Committee should
Officers respective location or HO location / region not below comprise of three officers in
as the case may be) General Manager on the Grade D and above having
recommendation of the relevant background
Standing Committee including that from associated
Finance and RHRD / Admin
2. Company-Leased /
owned accommodation
a) Permission for Officers up to RHRD / Admin. Dept Administrative Head of the
allotment of Grade G location not below General
accommodation Manager
Sl. Grade of
Particulars Processing Authority Sanctioning Authority Remarks
No. Employee
b) House Building Loan All Grades RHRD (to be routed Committee consisting of
through CHRD & C) CS / Head of Legal,
ED(HR), GM(F) and
concerned ED reporting to
MD / Dir
c) Car Loans Officers in Grade RHRD MD With concurrence of ED
B&C (HR) and SBU Head of
D and above RHRD ED / Dir Finance
d) Two-wheeler Loans All grades RHRD GM
e) Second Loan before All grades of RHRD MD
completion of 5 years officers
RHRD Controlling Officer not
below rank of GM With concurrence of
Associated Finance and
f) Car/two wheeler repair All grades of RHRD
loan officers
g) Salary Advance All grades RHRD Controlling Officer not
below Officer Grade D
h) Medical advance as per All Grades Based on estimated
Company policy Upto Rs.30,000/- RHRD GM expenditure provided by
Upto Rs.50,000/- RHRD Dir Hospitals / Nursing Homes
or CMA.
Beyond RHRD MD
Rs.75,000/-
4.1 Approval of medical / All Grades
hospital bills in each case Upto Rs.30,000 RHRD GM
as per company’s rule
Upto Rs.50,000 RHRD ED
Upto Rs.75,000 RHRD Dir
Upto Rs.1,00,000 RHRD Committee of Director- To be routed through
In-Charge of SBU / ED(HR)
Function and D(F)
Above Rs.1,00,000 RHRD Committee of Director-In- To be routed through
Charge of SBU/Function ED(HR)
and D(F) and MD
4.2 Reimbursement of All Officers upto RHRD Controlling
medical expenses (other Grade G Officer in Grade D &
than hospitalization as per above
company’s rules
Grade H & above RHRD Self sanctioning
5 Purchase of Briefcase All eligible RHRD Controlling Officer in Within the applicable
Officers Grade entitlements
D and above
Sl. Grade of
Particulars Processing Authority Sanctioning Authority Remarks
No. Employee
6 Membership fees for Officers of all RHRD Controlling Officer in Within the applicable
approve professional Grades Grade D and above entitlements
institutes
7 Furniture & Equipment at All Grades of RHRD Controlling Officer not Within the applicable
residence and home PC Officers below the rank of GM entitlements
as per company rules
35
Sl. Grade of
Particulars Processing Authority Sanctioning Authority Remarks
No. Employee
8 Soft furnishings E and above RHRD Controlling officer not Within the applicable
below the rank of GM entitlements
9 Car running expense on
annual mileage basis
i) To approve limit of Grade B&C RHRD MD
With concurrence of
entitlement
concerned Dir and ED(HR).
Grade D & above RHRD Dir
ii) Reimbursement of All grades RHRD Controlling officer
monthly maintenance in
/ running expenses Gr. D & above
10 Two-wheeler running All Grades RHRD Controlling officer not
expense below GM
i) To approve limit for All Grades RHRD
entitlement as per
applicable co. rules
ii) Reimbursement of All Grades RHRD Controlling officer in Gr. D
monthly maintenance / & above
running expenses
11 i) Sanction for All Grades RHRD ED / Dir To be routed through
reimbursement of two CHRD&C
wheeler running
expenses of actual
mileage basis
Grade B&C RHRD MD
ii) Sanction for Grade D & above RHRD Dir With concurrence of
reimbursement of car concerned Dir and ED (HR).
running expenses on
actual mileage basis
iii) Reimbursement of All Grades RHRD Controlling officer in Gr. D
maint./ running & above
expenses on actual
mileage for car two
wheeler
RHRD Controlling Officer in
Grade D and above
12. Leave encashment All Grades RHRD Controlling officer in
Gr. & above
Notes
1. The Manual of Service Terms, and administrative instructions issued from
time to time will govern sanction of allowances / fringe benefits not included
in the DOA.
2. This DOA will over-ride any deviation from the above delegations as existing on
the date of implementation of this DOA. Any clarification and / or significant
contradiction must be referred to MD through ED (HR) for their decision.
3. In officer of appropriate status in RHRD / Admin / A&F is not available in a
particular location, then the senior most officer of that department in the
location will discharge the responsibility.
5.5 INTEXT QUESTIONS
1. Discuses the history of fringe benefits?
36
LESSON - 6
time. The fringe benefits are classified under four heads namely, for
employment security, for health protection, for old age and retirement and for
personnel identification, participation and stimulation.
6.5 INTEXT QUESTIONS
1. Discuss the various types of fringe benefits.
2. Discuss the administration of fringe benefits (model).
6.6 SUMMARY
Fringe benefits motivate the employees by identifying and satisfying their
unsatisfied needs, promote employees welfare, create sense of belongingness. These
are paid to all employees unlike incentives. They help to raise the living conditions
of employees. The fringe benefits administration takes in consideration the Grade of
Employee, processing authority, sanctioning authority.
6.7 TERMINAL EXERCISES
1. Discuss the classification fringe benefits?
2. Elaborate on the categorization of fringe benefits?
3. Discuss the administration of fringe benefits (Model).
6.8 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
1. Discuss the importance of fringe benefits for employment security?
2. Elaborate on Fringe benefits for old age and retirement?
3. Does fringe benefits have no impact on the life style of worker? Discuss
6.9 ASSIGNMENTS
1. Compare and contrast fringe benefit provide to worker and executive?
2. What is the benefit for an organisation fringe benefit for “payment for time not
work”.
6.10. SUGGESTED READINGS / REFERENCE BOOKS
1. R.C.Saxena, Labour problems and social welfare.
2. Report on committee of labour welfare 1969.
3. Kid Kaday, H.S. “The spirit of industrial relations”.
4. William B.Werther, et. al Op. cct.
5. Business India, May 1993.
6.11 LEARNING ACTIVITIES
1. Surt the Net. Bring out the Investments that companies have made in Fringe
Benefits for its employees?
2. Discuss the fringe benefits provided to any company of your choice.
6.12 KEY WORDS
1. Deewali
2. Security
3. Deceased
4. Paid list
5. Soft furnishings
6. Reimbursement
40
LESSON - 7
man who needs a complete manifestation of human life and a man in whom his
own realization exists as an inner necessity, as a need (“Towards a Critique of
Hegel’s Philosophy of Right: Introduction”, in McLellan, 1977, p. 94).
For Burton, the concept of basic human needs offered a possible method of
grounding the field of conflict analysis and resolution (which he and a few other
pioneers had essentially improvised during the 1960s) in a defensible theory of the
person.
Together with other peace researchers (see Lederer Galtung, 1980; Coate and
Rosati, 1988; and the writers represented in Burton, 1990b) he set out the reframe
the concept in order to provide the new field with a convincing alternative to the
prevailing paradigms of postwar social science: mechanistic utilitarianism,
behaviourism, cultural relativism, and Hobbesian “Realism”. In Burton’s view, the
needs most salient to an understanding of destructive social conflicts were those for
identity, recognition, security, and personal development. Over time, however, he
tended to emphasize the failure of existing states systems to satisfy the need for
identity as the primary source of modern ethno-nationalist struggles.
The great promise of human needs theory, in Burton’s view, was that it would
provide a relatively objective basis, transcending local political and cultural
differences, for understanding the sources of conflict, designing conflict resolution
processes, and founding conflict analysis and resolution as an autonomous
discipline. The importance of this ambitious project is now generally recognized by
conflict theorists, whether they agree with Burton or not (see Fisher, 1997; Avruch,
1998; Jeong, 2000). This essay will suggest some ways in which the project has
succeeded, some ways in which it has fallen short, and some possible avenues for
further theory development.
The Need for Needs Theory
From the end of World War II until the late 1970s, general theories of conflict
came in two varieties, neither of which, in John Burton’s view, was adequate to explain
either the persistence of “irrational” social struggles or the real opportunities for their
resolution. We can call these apparently opposed (but actually complementary) schools
of through conservative personalism and liberal situationalism.
Conservative personalist theories picture humans as creatures driven to
engage in violent conflict by sinful rebelliousness, innate aggressive instincts, or a
lust for power (e.g., Freud, 1989b; Lorens, 1997). From this perspective, the
situational environment merely provides a context and trigger for conflictual
thoughts and activities that are primarily internally generated. By definition,
human impulses to sin, aggress, or dominate cannot be stamped out; they require
control or “balancing” by countervailing force. If this be true, of course, non-violent,
self-enforcing conflict resolution (what Johan Galtung (1996) terms “peace by
peaceful means”) must be considered a utopian fantasy.
Liberal situationalist theories, on the other hand, seemed at first to provide
conflict resolvers with grounds for optimism. By emphasizing the potency of social
42
LESSON - 8
R.Gurr’s predictive study of minorities at risk will show needs theorists a possible
way to enhance the usefulness of their theory. One can conceive of a regional or
even global survey seeking to determine, in the case of specific ethnic or national
groups, how identity and security needs are conceived, what levels of satisfaction
prevail, and which satisfiers (i.e., what forms of socio-political change) seem best
suited to increase the level of satisfaction. If such a survey were successful in
calling attention to potentially violent conflict situations and the steps needed to
defuse them, needs theory would have clearly proved its usefulness.
A second line of research and theory development might aim at exploring the
needs and satisfier applicable to conflicts that are not purely or primarily ethno-
nationalist, but that involve other forms of group definition. It is understood that
many general conflict resolution theories bear the marks of their origin in the study
of particular types of conflict. Basic human needs theory was implicitly designed to
throw light on the sources and methods of resolving identity-group conflicts of the
sort that plagued world society during the postwar period of decolonization, and
that are far from obsolete even now. Nevertheless, especially since the late 1970s,
other forms of social conflict have forced themselves on our attention. This suggests
a series of questions requiring better answers: Which needs/satisfiers are relevant
to understanding the modern upsurge of religious conflict around the world? What
drives the revival of class struggle in nations of the semi-periphery? Which conflict
resolution processes are likely to be most effective in these diverse cases?
Third, in order to move from the relatively abstract level on which needs theory
functions at present to more concrete and useful understandings of the role of
basic needs in conflict, we need a better understating of their psychological origins
and the processes through which needs become conscious motivators of collective
action.
John Burton and Johan Galtung departed quite deliberately from Abraham
Maslow’s post-Freudian psychology, with its hierarchy of developmental needs
seemingly rooted in unacknowledged Western and bourgeois cultural values. But
there is some indication that, in extracting basic needs from the mental structures
postulated by Freud and his successors, the baby was thrown out with the bath
water. In effect, the needs theorists put emotional and cognitive dynamics into a
“black box,” much as their behaviourist predecessors had done.
Need Fulfillment
Manager’s role in human fulfillment
As we have stated earlier, need fulfillment is the responsibilities of the
management. Therefore, the manager should know what the needs (current) of the
employees are; and then should evaluate their legitimate and finally provide
opportunities for their attainment. The first tasks before the management is to discover
the present needs of an employee. Such needs may vary in intensity with which they are
expressed. Observation of a workers’ interest and response patterns may reveal the
needs of each worker. Personal conversations with the employees may also reveal these
49
8.6 SUMMARY
Managers by observation of workers. Interest and response patterns may
reveal the needs of each worker. Personal conversations with the employees may
also several these needs. Now the efforts of the Managers is how to fulfill these
needs.
It is understood that many general conflict and conflict resolution theories
bear the marks of their origin in the study of particular type of conflict.
8.7 TERMINAL EXERCISES
1. ____________ Reveals the needs of employees (Personal conversation /
watching)
2. ___________ can be fulfilled by providing a consistent fair and concerned
attention to workers (competence needs / need for security)
3. ___________ can be fulfilled by going praise for the work done well (Competence
need / Reputation need)
4. ____________ can be fulfilled by delegation of authority. (Need for power / Need
for security)
8.8 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
1. Industrial Relation Labour Welfare and Labour Laws by B.Nandhakumar.
2. N.G.Nair “Personnel Management and Industrial Relations”, 2012.
3. R.C.Saxam “Labour Problems and Social welafare”, 1981.
8.9 ASSIGNMENTS
1. Identify the ways and means of fulfilling the needs of workers.
2. Discuss the management ways of fulfilling needs?
3. Identify the Reputation Need, Need for power for managers in Prodn centre
and for Managers in personnel Dept. Do they differ? If yes why? If not why?
4. Discuss the management techniques of satisfying various needs of
employees?
8.10 SUGGESTED READING / REFERENCE BOOKS
1. Richardson, J.H. “An Introduction to the study of Industrial Relations” 1954.
2. Personnel Management and Industrial Relations by LP.C. Tripathi.
3. Michael Armstrong OP cit.
8.11 LEARNING ACTIVITIES
1. Discuss with the Top level managers of 2 different organization. List out the
ways by which they are able to fulfill the need of employees.
2. Discuss with employees of 5 different organization. Does their need for
competence. Vary? Why/why not?
8.12 KEY WORDS
1. Reputation
2. Hospitalization
3. Fulfillment
4. Advocacy
5. Satisfiers
6. Decolonization
51
UNIT – III
LESSON - 9
Provisions under Section 58 (q) and Rule 72 of the Mines Rules, 1955
No person shall act as a Welfare Officer of a mine unless he possesses
1. a university degree;
2. a degree of diploma in social science, (or social work) or labour welfare recognized
by the Government for the purpose of this Rule, and preferably practical
experience of handling labour problems in any industrial undertaking for at least
three years; and
3. a knowledge of the language of the district in which the mine is situated or the
language understood by the majority of persons employed in the mine:
Provided that in case of a person already in service as a Welfare Officer in a mine,
the above qualifications may, with the approval of the Chief Inspector, be relaxed.
Notwithstanding anything contained in subrule (2), the Labour Officers, included
in the Central pool under the provisions of the Labour Officers (Central Pool)
Recruitment and Conditions of Service rules, 1951, shall be eligible for
appointment as a Welfare Officer in a mine.
4. Where by reason of temporary absence, illness or any other similar cause, the
Welfare Officer is unable to perform his duties, the owner, agent or manager shall
authorize in writing a person whom he considers competent, to act in his place:
Provided that non such authority shall have effect for a period in excess of 30
days except with the previous consent of the Chief Inspector.
5. A written notice of every appointment, authorization, discharge, dismissal,
resignation or termination of service of every Welfare Officer and of the date
thereof shall be sent by the owner, agent or manager the Chief Inspector within
seven days from the date of such appointment, authorization, discharge,
dismissal, resignation or termination of service.
The post of Welfare Officer shall be advertised in a newspaper having a wide
circulation in the Stage.
Duties of the Welfare Officer under the Factories Act
The Model Rules framed under the Factories Act have laid down a chart of
duties for the Welfare Officer. These duties are as follows:
1. Supervision of safety, health and welfare programmes like housing, recreation,
sanitation services a provided under law or otherwise.
2. Counselling workers in personal and family problems, and in adjusting to work
environment.
3. Advising management in formulating labour welfare policies and training
programmes.
4. Maintaining liaisons with workers, management and with other outside
agencies like Factory Inspectorate, Central Labour Institute and other social
welfare agencies.
5. Suggesting measures for the promotion of harmonious industrial relations and
general well-being of the workers by adopting various measures in the plant
for the redressal of grievance and for increasing the productive efficiency of the
workers.
54
welfare recognized by State Govt. 3-5 years working experience in Industrial safely
and have hard working ability and sound communication skills.
9.5 INTEXT QUESTIONS
1. Explain the duties and responsibilities of labour welfare officer.
2. Discuss the functions of welfare officers.
3. What are the statutory provisions pertaining to appointment of a welfare officer?
4. Discuss the conditions of service of welfare officers?
9.6 SUMMARY
According to Schedule 49 of Factories Act 1948, in every factory where in 500
or more workers are ordinarily employed, the employer shall appoint a person who
can act as a Advisor, counselor, mediator between the management and labour, for
improving the efficiency, productivity of profitability. The duties that he has to
perform are supervision of safety healthy and welfare programmes like housing,
recreation, sanitation services as provided under law.
9.7 TERMINAL EXERCISES
1. Discuss the qualifications required for labour welfare officer?
2. A labour welfare officer is basically __________ (counselor / engineer)
3. The primary skills he must possess is _________ (technical / listening)
4. Labour welfare officer role is also to ____________ (resolve dispute / reach sales target).
5. Labour welfare officers concern is to ________ (implement labour law / implement
computers)
9.8 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
1. Report on the Committee on Labour Welfare, 1969.
2. www-outsource 2 India.com
3. N.G.Nair, Personnel Management and Industrial Relations, 2012.
4. Asian Journal of Management Research.
5. International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences.
9.9 ASSIGNMENTS
1. Go round few district of you state, identify few factories / industries. Make a list of
functions, duties of welfare functions that welfare officer do.
9.10 SUGGESTED READINGS / REFERENCE BOOKS
1. R.C.Saxene “Labour problems and social welfare”, 1981.
2. C.lB.Memoria - “Dynamic of Industrial Relations in India” Himalaya Publishing
Hosur, 2008.
3. John Bratton and Jeffrey Gold, Human Resources Management.
9.11 LEARNING ACTIVITIES
1. What are the other duties that the welfare officer does in organization?
2. Does these exist a need of welfare officer in an organization?
3. Discuss the skills that welfare officer mostly lacks. Why?
9.12 KEY WORDS
Labour Administration, Labour Relations, Health & Welfare Programmes,
Counseling, Harmonious
57
LESSON - 10
institution, in the past, had also catered to the educational needs of labour
educators from Afro-Asian countries sponsored by the I.L.O.
The II WE has a managing committee of tripartite character to plan and direct
all academic activities of the institute. At present, the Deputy Director (Training)
acts as the head of the Institute. The Institute functions under the overall
supervision of the Director, CBWE.
Contents of Workers’ Education
Workers’ education attempts to give workers a better understanding of their
status, rights and responsibilities as workers, as union members, as family
members and as citizens. Workers’ education addresses a whole range of skills and
knowledge, which contribute to the harmonious development of a worker’s
personality, his role in the society and the knowledge and attitudes required for
such roles. Workers’ education emphasizes group advancement and solution of
group problems. It differs from vocational and professional group advancement and
solution of group problems. It differs from vocational and professional education,
which is meant for individual advancement whereas the Workers’ education lays
stress on group advancement.
Workers education is one of the principal objectives of the Ministry of Labour
and Employment which seeks to achieve through the enforcement of various labour
laws and implementation of various schemes and programmes. The main thrust is
on the education of tribal workers, women workers and weaker section workers.
The scheme of workers’ education aims at achieving the objectives of creating
and increasing awareness and educating the workforce for their effective
participation in the socioeconomic conducted by the board for the workers of formal
and informal sectors at national, regional and unit levels through a network of 50
regional and 90 sub-regional directorates spread all over the country......... apex
training institute vzi. IIWE at Mumbai.
The Constitution of India guarantees right to education to the citizens. Article
45 of the Indian Constitution enjoins that the State shall endeavour to provide early
childhood care and education for all children until the complete the age of 6 and 14
years. “Also Article 21A (which has been inserted by the 86 th Amendment in
December 2002 has not yet been brought into force) provides that the State shall
provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of 14 years in such
manner as the State may, by law, determine.
In pursuance of National Child Labour Policy, a scheme was started in 1988 to
rehabilitate child labour. It contains the action plan for tackling the problem of
child labour. The scheme seeks to adopt a sequential approach with focus on
rehabilitation of children working in hazardous occupations and process in the first
instance. Under the Scheme, after a survey of child labour engaged in hazardous
occupations and process has been conducted, children are to be withdrawn from
these occupations and processes and then put into special schools in order to
enable them to be mainstreamed into formal schooling system.
The scheme of child labour elimination has been linked with the scheme of
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan of the MHRD in order to ensure that small children in the
59
age group of 5-8 years get directly linked to school and the older children are
mainstreamed to the formal education system through the rehabilitation centers
and also vocational training is imparted to them.
Activities of Central Board for Workers Education (CBWE)
During the second five year plan, it was felt by the planners that democratic
society like ours requires an active and intelligent participation of workers in the
affairs of their trade union and of the country for its speedy socioeconomic
development. A strong, free, responsible and democratic trade union movement can
make significant contribution to the realization of better life for workers. Workers
should be trained to play their roles effectively for attainment of socioeconomic
development of the country. It was envisaged that workers education can help in
preparing the workers and their trade unions to play their role effectively in the
task of nation building. It necessitated the Government of India in the year 1957 to
secure an expert advice in formulating “Workers Education Scheme”.
The Government of India, in co-operation with the Ford Foundation, appointed
an International Team of Experts to suggest Workers Education Scheme. The team
of experts submitted its report in March 1957. The recommendations of the team
were endorsed by the 15th Session of the Indian Labour Conference in July 1957.
The Indian Labour Conference recommended setting up of a semi-autonomous
board for administering the Workers Education Scheme. Consequent upon the
recommendations of the Indian Labour Conference, the Central Board for Workers
Education established in 1958 was registered under the Societies Registration Act
XXI of 1860 on 16th September 1958 as a tripartite society.
Structure of the Organization
1. The Members of the Society (Board) include the Chairman, (nominated by the
Government of India), Representatives of workers, employers, Government
(both Central and State) and Educational Bodies.
2. The Director of the Board is the Member Secretary and Principal Executive
Officer.
3. The affairs of the Board are managed by a Governing Body elected annually
from amongst the member of the Board
Objectives of the Organization
The Board operates its activities at three levels viz., national, regional and unit level
and conducts various training programmes for the organized, unorganized/small scale,
rural and informal sector workers with the following objectives:
a) To strengthen among all sections of the working class, including rural
workers, a sense of patriotism, national integrity, unity, amity, communal
harmony, secularism and pride in being an Indian.
b) To equip all sections of workers including rural workers for their intelligent
participation in social and economic development of the nation in accordance
with its declared objectives.
c) To develop among workers a greater understanding of the problems of their
social and economic environment, their responsibilities towards family
60
The Board has recently launched a new programme “Quality of Life for
Workers and their Spouses” with a view to mould their attitudes, develop
motivation, build up personality, raise family status, maintain good neighbourhood
relations, develop awareness about environmental cleanliness, develop a spirit of
team work, human relations, productivity consciousness, commitment to discipline,
mutual trust and hygiene, etc.
Levels of workers’ education programme
The workers education programme contains three levels. These levels are
discussed here.
1. The National Level In this level, Education Officers are trained. The
participants for the programme are selected by CBWE and trained at a central
place by the Board officials.
Some of the conducted programs are given below,
a) Training of Education Officers at the Indian Institute of Workers
Education, Mumbai (5 months) and Re-training (1 month).
b) Workshop/Refresher Courses for Education Officers (1 week)
c) Training Programmes for Trade Union Officials (1 week)
d) National Seminars on important topics (2 days)
2. The Region Level In this level, aim at imparting necessary training to selected
workers. The workers so educated are known as workers’ teachers.
Some of the conducted programs are given below,
a) Worker-Teachers Training Course (3 months)
b) Leadership Development Course (1 month)
c) Refresher Course for Worker Teachers (1 week)
d) Course for Rural Educators/Organizers (1month)
e) Orientation Programme for Rural Educators/Organizers (1 week)
f) Joint Educational Programme on Participative Management (3 days)
g) Need Based Seminar (2 days)
h) Joint Educational Programme for Members of Joint Councils and Bipartitie
Committees (2 days)
i) Quality of Life for workers and their Spouses (2/5 Days)
j) Special Seminar at Plan Level (1 Day)
3. The Unit Level In this stage, the workers’ teachers on completion of their
training return to their workplace and conduct programme for rank and file
workers at their respective units.
Some of the conducted programs are given below,
a) Two days Awareness Camps for Rural workers.
b) Camp for Workers in Unorganized Sector/Weaker Section (5 days)
c) Special Seminars for Unorganized/Weaker Section (2 days)
d) Special Seminar for Women Labour (2 days)
e) Special Seminar for SC/ST Workers (2 days)
f) Special Seminar for Parents of Child Labour/Child Labour (2 days)
g) Part-Time Unit Level Class (3 months)
h) Part-time Unit Level Class (1 month)
i) Functional Adult Literacy Class (6 months)
62
LESSON - 11
8. Social security
9. Women and Child labour
10. Skill development
11. Labour administration and other matters
Only relevant part of important chapters with special reference to the
organized sector and major recommendations of Commission thereof are dealt
verbatim herein below:
Recommendations
1. We recommended that the Central Government and the State Government
should have a unit have a uniform policy on holidays, only 3 national holidays
be gazette - namely Independence day, Republic Day and Gandhi Jayanthi Day,
two more days may be added to be determined by each State according to its
own traditional and apart from these each person must be allowed to avail of 10
restricted holidays in the year, Government holidays should be delinked from
holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act. (5.29)
2. Flexibility in the hours of work per week and compensation for overtime. (5.32)
3. Attempt to change the basis of tenure in all jobs (permanent as well as non-
permanent to contractual and for stipulated periods, involves a basic change in
attitude and notion. If transforming the basis of all employment is a social
necessity because it has become economic necessity for industrial and
commercial enterprises, then, it is equally necessary to create social
acceptability for the change and the social institutions that can take care of the
consequences. (5.34 & 35).
The fundamental change of this type has to be preceded by:
i) Evolution of socially accepted consensus on the new perceptional jobs.
ii) The evolution of a system of constant up-gradation of employability
through training in a wide spectrum of multiple skills
iii) The setting up of a system of social security that includes unemployment
insurance and provisions for medical facilities; and
iv) The institution of a mandatory system of two contracts - one, an individual
contract and two, a collective contract with workers union.
4. The commission recommends that government may laid down list of highly
paid jobs who are presently deemed as workmen category as being outside the
purview of the laws relating to workmen and included in the proposed law for
protection non-workmen. Another alternative is that the present context such
as Rs.25,000/- p.m. beyond which employee will not be treated as ordinary
“workman”, (6.19) wage ceiling of Rs.25000/-
5. Further the commission recommended that it would be logical to keep all the
supervisory personnel, of their wages / salary, outside the rank of worker and
keep them out of the purview of labour law meant for workers. All such
supervisory category of employees should be clubbed along with the category of
persons who discharge managerial and administrative functions. The
Commission would also recommended that such a modified definition of worker
could be adopted in all the labour laws. We except management to take care of
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3. We recognize that today the extent of unionization is low and even this low level
is being eroded, and that it is time that the stand was reversed and collective
negotiations encouraged.
Where agreements and understanding between two parties is not possible,
there, recourse to the assistance of third party should as far as possible be
through arbitration or where adjudication is the preferred mode, through
Labour Courts and Labour Relations Commissions of the type be proposed later
in this regard and not governmental intervention. A settlement enter into with
recognized negotiating agent must be binding on all workers.
4. We consider that provisions must be made in the law for determining
negotiating agents, particularly on behalf of workers.
5. The law must provide for authorities to identify the negotiating agent, to
adjudicate disputes and so on, and these must be provided in the shape of
labour courts and labour relations Commissions at the State, Central and
national levels.
6. The Commission is of the view that changes in labour laws be accompanied by a
well defined social security package that will benefit all workers, are they in
‘organized’ or ‘unorganized’ sector and should also cover those in the
administrative, managerial and other categories which have been excluded from
the purview of the term worker.
Industrial relations and trade union
The commission has avoided the term ‘Industry’ with a view that the persons
engaged in domestic service are better covered under the proposed type of umbrella
legislation, particularly in regard to wages, hours of work, working conditions,
safety and social security. (6.40)
Modification in the terms like ‘strikes’, ‘work stoppage’ etc. and the terms go
slow and work to rule must be regarded as misconduct under Standing Orders and
Provisions relating to unpaid labour practice. (6.41)
Commission has recommended to the withdrawal of essential services
maintenance Act (6.49)
The Commission has suggested to identify a bargaining agent on the basis of
check-off system, with 66% entitling the Union to be accepted as a single
negotiating agent and if no union 66% support, then Unions that have the support
of more than 25% should be given proportionate representation on the college.
(6.66)
Check-off system in an establishment employing 300 or more workers must be
made compulsory for members of all registered trade unions. (6.73)
Commission also recommended that recognition once granted, should be valid
for a period of 4 years to be co-terminus with the period of settlement. No claim by
any other Trade Union / Federation / Center for recognition should be entertain till
at least 4 years have elapsed from the date of earlier recognition. (6.76)
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days wages and similarly a high rate of compensation for closure @ 45 days wages
for every completed year of service for profit making organization. For establishment
employing less than 100 workers, half of the compensation mentioned above, in
terms of days of wages may be prescribed. However, notice is required to be given
for both the cases of retrenchment and closure as that of big industry. (6.88)
The commission has recommended for maintenance of panel of arbitrators
by LRC concern, to settle the disputes. (6.93)
The matters pertaining to individual workers, be it termination of employment
or transfer or any other matter be determined by recourse to the Grievance
Redressal Committee, conciliation and arbitration / adjudication by the Labour
Court. Accordingly, Sec.2 a of the ID Act may be amended. (6.96)
The system of legal aid to workers and trade unions from Public Fund be
worked out to ensure that workers and their organizations are not unduly
handicapped as a result of their inability to hire legal counsel. (6.98)
Strike should be called only by the recognized negotiating agent and that too
only after it had conducted a strike ballot among all the workers, of whom at least
51% of support the strike. (6.101).
Workers participation in management - the legislative teeth should be
provided. (6.102)
The commission urges that these recommendations are taken up as a whole
and not in a piece-meal manner that may destroy to context of inter-relation and
holistic approach. (6.104)
The provisions in respect of small establishments can be in the form of a
separate law name Small Enterprises (Employment Relation Act) or be included in
the general law as a separate chapter to ensure that the interest of the workers are
fully protected, even while lessening burden on the management and providing
them with vigilance in exercising managerial functions. (6.106)
Contract labour / Causal workers temporary workers
The Commission has recommended that contract labour shall not be engaged
for core production / service activities. However, for sporadic seasonal demand, the
employer may engage temporary labour for core production / service activity. As
mentioned by the commission that off-loading perennial non-core services like
canteen, watch and ward, cleaning, etc. to other employing agencies has to take
care of three aspects - (1) there have to be provisions that ensure that ensure that
perennial core services are not transferred to other agencies or establishments; (2)
where such services are being performed by employees on the payrolls of the
enterprises, no transfer to other agencies should be done without consulting,
bargaining (negotiating) agents; and (3) where the transfer of such services do not
involve any employee who is currently in service of the enterprise, the management
will be free to entrust the service to outside agencies. The contract labour will,
however, be remunerated at the rate of a regular worker engaged in the same
69
organization doing work of a comparable nature or if such workers does not exist in
the organization, at the lowest salary of a worker in comparable grade i.e. unskilled,
semi-skilled or skilled )6.109)
The Commission would recommended that no worker should be kept
continuously as a Casual or temporary worker against a permanent job for more
than 2 years. (6.110)
Employee wages
The Commission recommends that every employer must pay each worker his
one-month’s wage, as bonus before an appropriate festival, be it Dipawali or Oonam
or Puja or Ramzan or Christmas. Any demand for bonus in excess of this up to a
maximum 20% of the wages will be subject to negotiation. The Commission also
recommend that the present system of two wage ceilings for reckoning entitlement
and for calculation of bonus should be suitably enhanced to Rs.7500/- and
Rs.3500/- for entitlement and calculation respectively. (6.113)
There should be a national minimum wage that the Central Government may
notify. This minimum must be revised from time to time. It should, in addition,
have a component of dearness allowance to be declared six monthly linked to the
consumer price index and the minimum wage may be revised once in five years.
The Commission also recommends the abolition of the present system of notifying
scheduled employments and of fixing/revising the minimum rates of wages
periodically for each scheduled employment, since it feels that all workers in all
employments should have the benefit of a minimum wage. (6.114)
There is no need for any wage board, statutory or otherwise, for fixing wage
rates for workers in any industry. (6.118)
Working conditions
The Commission recommended enactment of a general law relating to hours of
work, leave and working conditions, at the work place. For ensuring safety at the
work place in different activities, one omnibus law may be enacted, providing for
different rules and regulations on safety applicable to different activities. (The
Commission have appended a draft indicative law on hours of work and other
working conditions after this chapter, and an omnibus draft indicative law on safety
in the chapter on Labour Administration). Such general law on working conditions
etc. may provide for the following (6.121):-
1. The law should have a provision for letters of appointment along with a copy of
Standing Orders of the establishment (in the local language); and issue of a
photo identity card giving details of the name of the worker, name of
establishment, designation, and so on.
2. It should specify the maximum number of working hours in a day/week, and
payment of overtime at double the rates of wages. The limitation on employing
workers on overtime needs to be relaxed, and the Commission recommended
that the present ceilings be increased to double to enable greater flexibility in
meeting the challenges of the market. Sub section (2) of Section 64 of the
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Factories Act contains a provision that the State Government can give
exemptions in certain circumstances. Sub section (2) of Section 64 of the
Factories Act contains a provision that the State Government can give
exemptions in certain circumstances. The Commission recommend that the
list of such contingencies may be suitably expanded in consultation with the
representatives of the industry to include more occupations, processes and
contingencies.
3. There should be reduced working hours for adolescents, prohibition of
underground work in mines for women workers, prohibition of work by women
workers between certain hours and so on.
4. On the question of night work for women there need not be any restriction on
this if the number of women workers in a shift in an establishment is not less
than five, and if the management is able provide satisfactory arrangements for
their transport, safety and rest after or before shift hours.
5. No exemptions like EPZ or SEZ from labour laws.
6. Appropriate government may be empowered to grant exemptions on case to
case basis.
7. Establishment having a man power over a specified limit must provide for a
canteen.
8. Other refreshment facilities exclusively based on gender be provided.
9. Irrespective of number of women workers, a creche should be provided.
10. Irrespective of number of women workers, a creche should be provided.
11. Deletion of Employers’ Liability Act, 1938, fatal accident act 1855 and relevant
provisions of these Acts may be incorporated into the W.C. Act, 1923. (6.26)
12. A provision may be made in the Laws that all cases must be disposed of in a
span of 3 hearings, disposal in 03 hearings and where this is not possible, the
Labour Court should in its award reasons for taming more hearings. The
Labour Relations Commissions may also be entrusted with the responsibility
to assess the work of the LCs particularly in the matter of expeditious disposal
of cases. With the constitution of an All India Labour Judicial Services that
the commission is recommending with a hope that have a dedicated and
competent set of man and woman as presiding officers of LCs who will be able
to discharge responsibilities efficiently and expeditiously. (6.139)
Social security
The Commission has suggested the recommendations on social security. The
main recommendations amongst the other are stated herein below:
Our Commission accepts the need to consider social security as a fundamental
human right. (8.30)
We recommend a system in which the State bears the responsibility for
providing and ensuring an elementary or basic level of security, and levels room
for partly or wholly contributory schemes. This will mean that the responsibility
to provide a floor will be primarily that of the State, and it will be left to
individual citizens to acquire higher levels of security through assumption of
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LESSON - 12
The types of fatigue are physiological fatigue psychological fatigue and nervous
fatigue industrial psychology arms to reduce the effects of fatigue in workers by
introducing more efficient work methods, proper training and effective motivation
and thereby maintain or increase production and job satisfaction.
Monotony is a state of mind caused by performing repetitive tasks. It implies
no emotional dislike. Job enlargement mostly causes monotony. Monotony is a
state of mind or an attitude of a worker towards his job. Monotony is caused even if
the worker is not tired mentally and or physically.
Boredom is caused due to task of interest or aptitude in the job. It is
characterized by depression and a disease for change of activities. Boredom is
tinged with emotional distaste and is accompanied by a corresponding attitudinal
outlook. Boredom is heavily affected by factors like personality, attitude aptitude or
interest pattern rather than doing repetitive tasks.
Fatigue and Boredom
Fatigue is reduced capacity for doing work / carrying out the activities.
Boredom is lack of interest or decreased interest in a particular work/activity. All
workers experiences fatigue. Some workers only experience boredom. Fatigue can
be reduced but cannot be prevented. Boredom can be prevented if work is assigned
based on the interest.
Measurement of fatigue
Angelo Masso Developed an instrument called ergograph which helps to
investigate the relation between fatigue and work in a relatively isolated part of the
body.
The principle of ergograph is that all fingers except middle are similarly
immobilized. A string is then fastened to the free finger which is to be put to work.
The free finger can be made to pull against the load by placing the load on the other
side of the string.
A recording device is fastened to the moving string in order to obtain the graph
of the output.
Though there are differences among fatigue, Boredom and monotony, they
affect employee and the organization more or less similarly.
Measures to reduce fatigue, Boredom and monotony:
Reduction in working hours, rest pauses and flexi working schedule, train
workers to eliminate unnecessary motions.
12.4 REVISION POINTS
Fatigue is defined as a reduced capacity for more work as a consequence of
prolonged exposure to work. Fatigue may be both physical and mental. Helmholtz
invented the myograph used to measure the contractor of muscles which is used to
measure fatigue. Physical fatigue is characterized by conditions of muscles, blood
composition, oxygen consumption. The mental fatigue results in lock of motivation
to do any work, back of interest, ............to concentrate. Industrial psychology aims
to reduce the effects of fatigue in workers by introducing more efficient work
methods, proper training and effective motivation.
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UNIT – IV
LESSON - 13
under such conditions is highly stressful, and impairs and health and efficiency of
the workers. Heat may cause burns, heat strokes, heat cramps, fatigue and
increased accident rates. The recommended comfortable temperature in our
country is 690 to 800 F. Similarly, there are important hazards associated with cold,
such as chilblains, erythrocyanosis, and immersion foot.
(b) Light: Poor illumination or excessive brightness at the workplace may
cause eyestrains, headaches or glare with discomfort and fatigue that may result in
accidents. There should be sufficient and suitable lighting, natural or artificial,
wherever persons are working.
(c) Noise and vibration: Noise is a health hazard many industries. The effects
of noise are of two types: (i) auditory effects which consist of temporary or
permanent hearing loss, (ii) non-auditory effects which consist of nervousness,
fatigue, interference with communication by speech, decreased efficiency and
annoyance. Noise could be reduced to the minimum safe levels. Where noise cannot
be avoided, noise defenders should be provided. Vibration usually affects the hands
and arms. After long period of exposure, the blood vessels may become increasingly
sensitive to spam (white fingers). Exposure to vibration may also produce injuries to
the joints of the hands, elbows and shoulders.
(d) Ultraviolet radiation and ignozing radiation: Where welding arcs, X-ray
or radioactive isotopes are used, exposure to radiation may cause welders-flash,
that is, redness, of eyes and pain, genetic disorders, cancer, leukaemia, sterility,
and in extreme cases death.
2. Chemical hazards
The chemical hazards are on the increase with the introduction of newer and
complex chemicals. Exposure to industrial chemicals may cause skin diseases,
allergy, cancer, and the like. Common industrial chemicals which cause lung
diseases are machine oils, rubber, acids, alkalis. Ingestion of lead, zinc, and arsenic
may cause poisoning. Wearing of rubber gloves and safe handling will prevent ill-
effects.
3. Biological hazards
Workers may be exposed to ineffective and parasitic agents at the place of
work. The occupational diseases in this category are brucellosis, anthrax,
psittacosis, tetanus, fungal infections and host of others. Persons working among
animals and those engaged in the manufacture of animal products (e.g., hair wool,
hides) and agricultural workers are particularly exposed to these hazards.
4. Mechanical hazards
They may be due to protruding machinery and from moving parts of
machinery, fire, explosion and electricity.
5. Psychological hazards
Such hazards may arise from lack of job satisfaction, emotional tension,
frustration, insecurity and poor human relationships. It may be due to the worker’s
80
inability to live in harmony with the environment at his place work. These factors
may undermine both physical and mental health of the workers. Psychological
hazards are now assuming more importance than physical or chemical hazards.
Based on the past industrial experience, the American Conference of
Government Industrial Hygienists have laid down the safe limits or Threshold Limit
values (TLV) for over 400 industrial chemicals and dusts. It has been accepted that
if the concentration in the working environment is kept within these limits, the
workers’ health will not be affected, even after many years of work in that
environment.
Occupational Diseases
Occupational diseases are those arising out of or in course of employment. In
other words, it is a health problem caused by exposure to a workplace health
hazard. Workplace should, therefore, be healthy for body and mind of workers.
Occupational diseases are defined as the illness caused by the substances or
conditions that the worker was brought into contact with at the workplace or while
he was working at his respective work environment.
The following workplace health hazards can cause occupational diseases:
1. Dust, gases or fumes
2. Noise
3. Toxic Substances (poisons)
4. Vibration
5. Radiation
6. Infectious germs or viruses
7. Extreme hot or cold temperatures
8. Extremely high or low air pressure.
Types of Occupational Diseases
An industrial worker can be exposed to the following twelve types of
occupational diseases, based upon his occupation:
1. Lead Poisoning
Lead is a highly toxic metal. More industrial workers are exposed to lead than
to any other toxic metal. Workers who are likely to be affected by exposure to lead
are cable-makers, lead pipe-makers, compositors, painters and plumbers. The
harmful effects are caused by inhalation of the dust or fumes of lead and lead
compounds. Early symptoms of lead poisoning are loss of appetite, nausea,
vomiting and stomach pains. In chronic form, it results in headache, muscular and
joint pains, anaemia and intestinal disorders.
2. Phosphorus poisoning
Yellow phosphorous is poisonous. It is used in the manufacture of certain
types of explosives. It enters the body in the form of fumes and has destructive
action on the bones, especially of the jaw. Early signs of phosphorous poisoning are
toothache and pain in the jaw.
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3. Mercury poisoning
Mercury is a highly poisonous substance, and when inhaled, causes toxic effects.
Barometer and thermometer makers, laboratory workers, electric meter repairers,
refiners of gold and silver are normally the persons who come in frequent contact with
this substance. Long and continued inhalation of even small amount of mercury
vapour affects the brain. Absorption of mercury through skin causes eczema.
4. Manganese poisoning
Manganese dioxide is poisonous. Inhalation and absorption of its dust of
fumes results in inflammation of lungs. Manganese miners, ferro-manganese
workers and dry cell battery makers are likely to be affected by it.
5. Anthrax
This is a disease of animals. Men engaged in handling wool, hair bristles or
animal carcases or their parts including hides, hoofs and horns are likely to be
affected by it. The germs enter the skin through a cut or scratch on it. Woollen
carpet makers, tannery workers and wool sorters should be careful about it.
6. Silicosis
It is caused by inhaling dust containing silica. Silica is present in rocks, clays,
common sand and sandstones. Workers in potteries and ceramics, metal grinding,
refectories, slate pencil mines and similar such occupations are effected by it. It
gradually eats away the lungs causing respiratory trouble in the beginning and
ends in spitting of blood and a painful death. This disease is incurable.
7. Asbestosis
It affects workers engaged in handling and crushing of crude asbestos, and
making of asbestos mattresses.
8. Bagssois
It is an occupational disease of the lungs caused by inhalation of bagasse or
sugar cane dust. The symptoms consist of breathlessness, cough haemoptysis, and
slight fever. The preventive measures for bagassois are dust control, personal
protective equipment and periodic medical examination.
9. Coal miner’s pneumoconiosis
It may be caused due to employment in coal mining.
10. Telegraphists cramp
Telegraphists suffer from this disease because of the degree of accuracy, speed
of work and concentration required for the job.
11. Caisson disease
Those working caisson on harbour construction or in the building of tunnels
may suffer from this disease. It occurs when certain harmful gases get dissolved in
blood cells.
12. Byssionosis
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It affects the lungs of the textile workers due to inhalation of cotton fibre dust
over a long period of time.
13. Skin disease
These disease are caused by such irritants as acids, solvents, bases and the
like.
Protective Measures for Occupational Diseases
There are two aspects of preventive and curative measures for occupational
diseases:
1. Preventive measures
2. Curative measures.
1. Preventive measures
Preventive measures include:
(a) Pre-employment and periodic medical examination
(b) Removal of health hazards to the extent possible;
13.4 REVISION POINTS
There are five different types of occupational Hazards like Physical Hazards,
chemical Hazards Biological Hazards, Mechanical Hazards & psychological Hazards
based on his occupation. An Industrial worker is exposed to various occupational
diseases like lead poisoning, phosphorous poisoning, Mercury poisoning,
Manganese poisoning & Skin Diseases.
13.5 INTEXT QUESTIONS
1. What are the different types of occupational diseases?
2. What are the various types of occupational hazards?
3. Define occupational disease.
4. What are the objectives of occupational Health service.
13.6 SUMMARY
Occupation has its own Hazards. One should take adequate & proper
precautions for protection. Occupational health deals with work related disorders
and all factors that affect community health within it. Working conditions and
employment has major implications for employee health. Occupational disease is a
health problem caused by exposure to work place health hazard. Work place should
therefore be healthy for Body & Mind of workers.
13.7 TERMINAL EXERCISES
1. Find out the Recommendations of National Commission on Labour against
health Hazards.
2. “Prevention is Better than Cure of an occupational Diseases”? Discuss.
13.8 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
1. Arun Kumar, Rachana Sharma, Personnel management, Theory and Practice.
2. T.N. Chhabra, R.K.Suri, Industrial Relations concepts & Issues.
3. P.Sravanavel - Labour Legislation.
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LESSON - 14
8. Conservancy arrangements
Section 19 provides that, in every factory, there shall be provided and
maintained, separate arrangement for toilets for and female workers at convenient
places. These should be adequately lighted, ventilated and maintained in a clean
sanitary condition.
9. Spittoons
Section 20(1) lays down that in every factory, there shall be provided a
sufficient number of spittoons convenient places. They shall be maintained in a
clean and hygienic condition.
Safety Provisions
Provision of safety inside the workplace under the Factories Act provide for
ensuring sufficient guidelines for fencing of machinery, work on or near machinery
in motion, employment of young person’s on dangerous machine, striking gear and
devices for cutting off power, self-acting machines, casing of new machinery,
prohibition of employment of women and children near cotton openers, hoists and
lifts, revolving machinery, pressure plant, pits, sump and opening in floors,
precautions against dangerous fumes and gases, precautions against using
portable electric light, explosive or inflammable materials, precaution in case of fire,
safety of building and machinery, maintenance of buildings, and the appointment
of safety Officers in factories. The statutory requirements in the Act are enforced by
the factory inspectorates set up in the State for the purpose. The above said safety
provisions are explained broadly as below.
1. Fencing of machinery
Section 21(1) requires that in every factory, the following must be securely fenced
by safeguards of substantial construction while the machinery are in motion or use:
1. Every moving part of prime mover, whether the prime mover or flywheel is in
the engine house or not
2. The headrace and tailrace of every waterwheel and water turbine
3. Any part of stockbar which projects beyond the head stock of lathe
4. Unless they are in such position or of such construction as to be safe to every
person employed in the factory as they would be if they were securely fenced,
the following, namely,
5. Every part of electric generator, a motor or rotary converter;
6. Every part of transmission machinery; and
7. Every dangerous part of any other machinery.
shall be securely fenced by safeguards of substantial construction which shall
be consistently maintained and kept in position while the parts of machinery they
are fencing are in motion or in use.
2. Work on or near machinery in motion
Section 22(1) requires that it is essential to examine any part of the machinery
(referred in Section 21) while it is in motion or as a result of such examination. It is
necessary to carry out
1. Lubrication or other adjusting operation; or
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5. Self-acting machines
Section 25 of the Factories Act provides further safeguards to the workers
injured by self-acting machines. It provides that no traversing part of self-acting
machine in any factory and no material carried thereon shall, if the space over
which it runs is a space over which any person is liable to pass, whether in the
course of his employment or otherwise, be allowed to run on its outward or inward
traverse within a distance of forty-five centimeters from any fixed structure which is
not part of the machine.
6. Casting of new machinery
Section 26(1) provides that in all machinery driven by power, after the
commencement of the Factories Act, 1948, every set screw, bolt or key on any
revolving shaft, spindle, wheel or pinion shall be sunk, encased or effectively
guarded as to prevent danger (Section 26(20). Further, all spur, worm and other
toothed or friction gearing not requiring frequent adjustment while in motion shall
be completely encased, unless they are safely situated. Furthermore, Section 26(2)
provides that, whoever sells or lets on hire or, as agent of the seller or hirer, cares
or procures to be sold or let on hire, for use in a factory any machinery driven by
power which does not comply with the provisions of Subsection (1), or any rules
made under Subsection (3), shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term
which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to Rs.500, or
with both. Under the act, the State Government is empowered to make rules for the
safeguards to be provided from dangerous part of the machinery.
7. Prohibition of employment of women and children near cotton openers
The Factories Act prohibits the employment of women and children in any part
of the factory for pressing cotton where the cotton opener is at work. But if the feed-
end of cotton opener is in a room separated from the delivery and by a partition
extending to the roof or to such heights as the Inspector may in any particular case
specify in writing, women and children may be employed on the side of the partition
where feed-end is situated (Section 27).
8. Hoists and lifts
Section 28(1) requires that hoists and lifts must be of good mechanical
constructions, sound material and adequate strength. They should not only be
properly maintained but also thoroughly examined at least twice a year by
competent personal.
9. Revolving machinery
Section 30(1) provides that a notice indicating the maximum safe working
peripheral speed of the grindstone or abrasive wheel, the speed of the shaft, or
spindle, must be permanently affixed on all rooms in a factory where grinding is
carried on and the speeds indicated in notices under Subsection (1) shall not be
exceeded (Subsection (2) of Section 39). Similarly, care should be taken not to
exceed the safe working peripheral speed of every revolving machine like revolving
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vessel, cage, basket, flywheel, pulley, disc or similar appliances run by power
(Subsection (3) of Section 30).
10. Pressure Plant
Section 31 (1) provides that effective measures should be taken ensure safe
working pressure of any part of the plant or machinery used in the manufacturing
process operating at a pressure above the atmospheric pressure.
11. Pits, sump and opening in floors
Section 33(1) of the Factories Act, requires that every fixed vessel, sump, tank,
pit or opening in the ground or in the floor in every factory should be covered or
securely fenced, it by reason of its depth, situation, construction or contents, they
are or can be a source of danger.
Section 33(2) empowers the State Government to grant exemption from
compliance of the provision of this Section
i) In respect of any item mentioned in the Section;
ii) To any factory or class of factories, and
iii) On such condition as may be provided in the rules.
12. Precautions against dangerous fumes and gases
In order prevent factory workers against dangerous fumes, special measures
have been taken under the Factories Act. The Act prohibits entry in any chamber,
tank, vat, pit, pipe, flue, or other confined space in any factory in which any gas,
fume, vapour or dust is likely to be present, to such an extent as to involve risk to
persons being overcome thereby, except in cases where there is a provision of a
manhole of adequate size or other effective means of egress. [Section 36(1)]. No
person shall be required or allowed to enter any confined space as is referred to in
Subsection (1) until all practicable measures have been taken to actually remove
the gas, fumes or dust, which may be present so as bring its level within the
permissible limits and to prevent any ingress of such gas, fume, vapour or dust
[Section 36(2)].
13. Precaution against using portable electric light
The Act prohibits any factory from using portable electric light or any other
electric appliance of voltage exceeding 24 volts in any chamber, tank, vat, pipe, flue
or other confined space unless adequate safety devices are provided [Section
36A(a)]. The Act further prohibits the factory from using any lamp or light (other
than that of flame-proof construction) if any inflammable gas, fume or dust is likely
to be present in such chamber, tank, vat, pipe, flue or other confined space.
[Section 36A(b)].
14. Explosive or inflammable materials
Measures to prevent accidents from these materials include
i) Erecting effective enclosures of the plant or machinery used in the process;
ii) Removal or prevention of the accumulation of such dust, gas or varpour;
and
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e) Where the State Government has granted approval to an application for the
establishment or expansion of a factory involving a hazardous process, it shall
not be necessary for an applicant to obtain a further approval from the Central
Board or the State Board established under the Water (Prevention and Control
of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Air (Prevention and Pollution) Act, 1981.
2. Completely discount of information by the occupies
a) The occupier of every factory involving a hazardous process shall disclose in the
manner prescribed all information regarding dangers, health hazards and the
measures to overcome them arising from the exposure to or handling of the
materials or substances in the manufacture, transportation, storage and other
process to
i) Workers employed in the factory;
ii) The Chief Inspector;
iii) The local authority, within whose jurisdiction the factory is situated; and
iv) General public in the vicinity.
b) Such information, shall include accurate information as the quantity,
specifications and other characteristics of wastes and manner of their disposal
(Subsection 3).
c) Every occupier, with the approval of the Chief Inspector, shall draw up an on-site
emergency plan and detailed disaster control measures for his factory and make
known to the workers employed therein and to the general public living in the
vicinity of the factory the safety measures required to be taken in the event of an
accident taking place. (Subsection 4).
d) Every occupier of the factory is under an obligation to inform the Chief Inspector
of the nature of details of the process in such form and in such manner as may
be prescribed. (Subsection 5)
e) On contravention of the provisions Subsection (5), the license issued under
Section 6 to such factory shall be cancelled and the occupier shall be liable to
penalty (Subsection 6).
f) The occupier of the factory involving a hazardous process shall, with the previous
approval of the Chief Inspector, lay down measures of handling, usage,
transportation and storage of hazardous substances inside the factory premises
and the disposal of such substances outside the factory premise and publicise
them in the vicinity. (Subsection 7).
3. Specific responsibility of the occupier in relation to hazardous process
Under Section 41C, every occupier of a factory involving any hazardous
process is to required to
a) maintain accurate and up-do-date health records, or a as the case may be,
medical records of the workers in the factory who are exposed to any chemical,
toxic or any other harmful substance which are manufactured, stored, handled
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proper safety and health at work and to review periodically the measures
taken in that behalf:
Provided that the State Government may, by order in Writing and for reasons
to be recorded, exempt the occupier of any factory or class of factories form
setting up such Committee.
b) The composition of the Safety Committee, the tenure of office of its members
and their rights and duties shall be such as may be prescribed.
7. Right of workers to warm about imminent danger
a) Where the workers employed in any factory engaged in a hazardous process
have reasonable apprehension that there is a likelihood of imminent danger to
their lives or health due to any accident, they may bring the same to the
notice of the occupier, agent, manager or any other person who is incharge or
the factory or the process concerned directly or through their representative in
the Safety Committee and simultaneously bring the same to the notice of the
Inspector.
b) It shall be the duty of such occupier agent, manager or the person incharge of
the factory of process to take immediate remedial action if satisfied about the
existence of such imminent danger and send a report forthwith of the action
taken to the nearest Inspector.
c) If the occupier, agent, manager or the person incharge referred to in
Subsection (2) is not satisfied about the existence of any imminent danger as
apprehended by the worker, he shall, nevertheless, refer the matter forthwith
to the nearest Inspector whose decision on the question of the existence of
such imminent danger shall be final.
14.4 REVISION POINTS
Under Factory Act 1948 and the Rules framed there under the employers have
to make sure health provisions such as general cleanliness of work place, disposal
of wastes and effluents, ventilation and Temperature dust and fumes, Artificial
humidification, lighting, drinking water, conservancy arrangements and spittoons.
The provisions of safety under Factories Act 1948 include ensuring sufficient
guldens for fencing of Machinery, work on are near machinery in motion
employment of young persons dangerous machine striking gear & derces for cutting
off power, precaution against dangerous fumes & gases, precaution in case of fire
maintenance of buildings & safety of building & machinery.
14.5 INTEXT QUESTIONS
1. Explain statutory provisions with Regard to health & provisions under
factories Act.
2. Explain statutory provision relating to safety provisions under Factories Act.
3. Elaborate on the Hazardous process under Factories Act (Amendment) 1987.
14.6 SUMMARY
There are moral, Legal & Economic reasons for the employers to take the
Management of health, & safety seriously. Statutory provisions are one of the
primary tools in safety & maintaining good occupational health of employees.
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LESSON - 15
2. Unsafe acts: The causes of industrial accidents that involve unsafe acts
may include actions or failures to act which result in injury. This can be a result of
employee negligence, but employers, organizations, and product manufacturers can
also be liable for the causes of industrial accidents.
External and Internal Causes
The causes of industrial accidents can be in the environment around the
workplace or within the work environment.
External causes of industrial accidents may include fires, chemical spills,
toxic gas emissions or radiations. The causes of Industrial accidents in these cases
may include organizational errors, human factors, abnormal operational conditions,
natural forces, software or component failure, and outside interference.
Internal causes of industrial accidents may involve equipment or other work-
related tangibles, harmful materials, toxic chemicals and human error.
The causes of accidents can also broadly divided into the following five groups:
1. Technical causes
These are defective and worn-out machinery, poor maintenance, lack of
precautions like safeguards, fencing of dangerous machines, wrong and bad layout,
rooms crowded with machines, raw materials and waste products, neglect in
housekeeping and working conditions.
2. Personnel causes
These include recruitment, selection and placement in industries, personal
and social factor like carelessness, ignorance, inadequate skill, improper
supervisions, relationship with the supervisor and other colleagues, and family
problems.
3. Psychological causes
Psychological, mental and emotional imbalances are at the root of several
accidents. It is well-known that emotionally disturbed or mentally pre-occupied
persons meet with accident and face fatigue, tiredness, overwork, monotony,
boredom, and lack of self-confidence.
4. Non-observance of safety rules
The predominant cause of accidents is the sheer non-observance of industrial
safety rules.
5. Miscellaneous causes
a) Inability of the workers to grasp the implications of a process
b) Neglect of safety regulations by workers and their reluctance to use safety
equipment
c) Haste on the part of the workers, particularly when they are on incentive
payment schemes.
d) Liberal attitude taken by the ESI doctors in certification of accident injuries.
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LESSON - 16
deals with guarding of machinery. As per the Code, the guards should be properly
designed, constructed and used so that they will
a) Provide positive protection;
b) Prevent all access to the danger zone;
c) Cause the operator no discomfort or inconvenience;
d) Taking action when safety rules are ignored.
e) Not interfere unnecessarily with production;
f) Operate automatically or with minimum effort;
g) Constitute preferably a built-in feature;
h) Be suitable for the job and the machine;
i) Provide for machine oiling, inspection, adjustment and repair;
j) Withstand long use with minimum maintenance;
k) Resist normal wear and shock;
l) Be durable, and fire and erosion resistance;
m) Not constitute a hazard by themselves; and
n) Protect against unforeseen operational; contingencies.
Benefits of Accident Prevention Efforts
1. Every accident prevented saves direct and indirect accident costs, that is,
money that remains in profits.
2. Employees will not be injured or killed.
3. Property and materials will not be destroyed.
4. Production will flow more smoothly.
5. An employee will have more time for other management duties connected
with his/her job.
6. Increased employee security at work.
Industrial Safety Training Programme
Maintaining a safe and healthy working environment is not only a major
human resources issue, it is also the law. Whether they are entry-level workers,
seasoned veterans, supervisors, or plant managers, employees need to understand
health and safety standards and compliance procedures. Hence, the industrial
safety training programmes are essential and recommended especially to electrical
workers, machine tool operators, laboratory personnel, and anyone handling
hazardous chemicals or materials.
A highly adaptable Industrial Safety Training programme helps employees to
1. Select proper protective clothing to safeguard eyes, ears, skin, and mouth
within the workplace.
2. Demonstrate proper practice to avoid the most common kinds of accidents.
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3. State the correct practice to follow to avoid electric shock when using
electric tools.
4. Demonstrate safe practice when using common types of ladders and
scaffolding.
5. State the key points for the safe use of powered industrial trucks, and for
both gravity and powered conveyers.
6. Describe procedures for the treatment of electric shock.
16.4 REVISION POINTS
1. The measure for safety measurement include frequency rate and seventy
rate. The industrial accident prevention focuses on safety of industrial site,
equipment frequently used in Industrial Area, focuses on employers, focus
on unsafe conditions, unsafe Acts & focus on supervisors.
2. A Industrial Safety Training programme includes select, Demonstrate, State,
Demonstrate, State of Describe.
16.5 INTEXT QUESTIONS
1. Discuss the Benefits of efforts of Accident prevention.
2. Elaborate on the focus of prevention of accidents.
3. What is the measure of accidents?
4. Discuss the Industrial safety training programme.
16.6 SUMMARY
The measure of accident is on frequency rate & seventy rate prevention of
accidents are done by several ways. The basic requirement for industrial safety is
engineering, education and enforcement. The safety Training programme helps
employees select demonstrate, state, demonstrate state and describe.
16.7 TERMINAL EXERCISES
1. Critically examine the causes of Industrial Accidents.
2. Discuss the common industry safety products.
3. Industrial safety - whose responsibility?
16.8 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
1. John Bratton and Jeffrey Gold, Thiman Resources Management
2. Randall S.Schuler, effective Personnel Management.
3. The Economic Times.
16.9 ASSIGNMENTS
1. In light of safety programme, is there a need for Safety Audit - Discuss.
2. What are the Recommendation on Industrial safety by National commission
on Labour?
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UNIT - V
LESSON - 17
n) “occupier” of a factory means the person who has ultimate control over the
affairs of the factory. Provided that,
i. in the case of a firm or other association of individuals, any one of the
individual partners or members thereof shall be deemed to be the
occupier;
ii. in the case of a company, any one of the directors shall be deemed to be
the occupier;
iii. in the case of a factory owned or controlled by the Central Government
or any State Government, or any local authority, the person or persons
appointed to manage the affairs of the factory by the Central
Government, the State Government or the local authority, as the case
may be, shall be deemed to be the occupier:
a) the workers employed directly by him, or by or through any agency; and
b) the machinery, plant or premises in use for the purpose of carrying out
such repair or maintenance work by such owner, agent, master or other
officer-in-charge or person;
o) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the State Government
under this Act;
p) where work of the same kind is carried out by two or more sets of workers
working during different periods of the day, each of such sets is called a
“group” or “reply” and each of such periods is called a “shift”.
6. Approval, licensing and registration of factories
1) The State Government may make rules,
a) requiring, for the purposes of this Act, the submission of plans of any
class or description of factories to the Chief Inspector or the State
Government;
requiring the previous permission in writing of the State Government
or the Chief Inspector to be obtained for the site on which the
factory is to be situated and for the construction or extension of any
factory or class or description of factories;
b) requiring for the purpose of considering applications for such
permission the submission of plans and specifications;
c) prescribing the nature of such plans and specifications and by whom
they shall be certified;
d) requiring the registration and licensing of factories or any class or
description of factories, and prescribing the fees payable for such
registration and licensing and for the renewal of licenses;
e) requiring that no license shall be granted or renewal unless the notice
specified in section 7 has been given
2) If on an application for permission referred to in clause (aa) of sub-section
(1) accompanied by the plans and specifications required by the rules made
under clause (b) of that sub-section, sent to the State Government or Chief
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1.6 Overcrowding
1. No room in any factory shall be overcrowded to an extent injurious to the
health of the workers employed therein.
2. Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1), there shall be in every
workroom of a factory in existence on the date of the commencement of this Act
at least 9.9 cubic meters and of a factory built after the commencement of this
Act at least 1.2 cubic meters of space for every worker employed therein, and
for the purposes of this sub-section no account shall be taken of any space
which is more than 4.2 meters above the level of the floor of the room.
3. If the Chief Inspector by order in writing so requires there shall be posted in
each workroom of a factory a notice specifying the maximum number of
workers who may, in compliance with the provisions of this section, be
employed in the room.
4. The Chief Inspector may be order in writing so requires, there shall be posted
in each workroom of a factory a notice specifying the maximum number of
workers who may, in compliance with the provisions of this section, be
employed in the room.
1.7 Lighting
1. In every part of factory where workers are working or passing there shall be
provided and maintained sufficient and suitable lighting, natural or artificial or
both.
2. In every factory all glazed windows and skylights used for the lighting of the
workroom shall be kept clean on both the inner and outer surfaces and, so far
as compliance with the provisions of any rules made under sub-section (3)
section 13 will allow, free from obstruction.
3. In every factory effective provision shall, so far as is practicable, be made for
the prevention of,
a) glare, either directly from a source of light or by reflection from a smooth
or polished surface;
1.8 Drinking water
1) In every factory effective arrangements shall be made to provide and maintain
at suitable points conveniently situated for all workers employed therein a
sufficient supply of wholesome drinking water.
2) All such points shall be legibly marked “drinking water” in a language
understood by a majority of the workers employed in the factory, and no such
point shall be situated within six meters of any washing place, urinal latrine,
spittoon, open drain carrying sullage or effluent or any other source of
contamination unless a shorter distance is approved in writing by the Chief
Inspector.
3) In every factory wherein more than two hundred and fifty workers are
ordinarily employed, provision shall be made for cooling drinking water during
hot weather by effective means and for distribution thereof.
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his opinion should be adopted, and requiring them to be carried out before
a specified date.
2) If it appears to the Inspector that the use of any building or part of a
building or any part of the ways, machinery or plant in a factory involves
imminent danger to human life or safety, he may serve on the occupier or
manager or both of the factory an order in writing prohibiting its use until it
has been properly repaired or altered.
a) Maintenance of buildings
If it appears to the Inspector that any building or part of a building in a factory
is in such a state of disrepair as is likely to lead to conditions detrimental to the
health and welfare of the workers, he may serve on the occupier or manager or both
of the factory an order in writing specifying the measures which in his opinion
should be taken and requiring the same to be carried out before such date as is
specified in the order.
b) Safety officers
1) In every factory,
i. wherein one thousand or more workers are ordinarily employed, or
ii. wherein, in the opinion of the State Government, any manufacturing
process or operation is carried on, which process or operation involves any
risk of bodily injury, poisoning or disease, or any other hazard to health, to
the persons employed in the factory, the occupier shall, if so required by the
State Government by notification in the Official Gazette, employee such
number of Safety Officers as may be specified in the notification.
2) The duties, qualifications and conditions of service of Safety Officer shall be
such as may be prescribed by the State Government.
WELFARE
1.24 Washing facilities
1) In every factory,
a) adequate and suitable facilities for washing shall be provided and
maintained for the use of the workers therein;
b) separate and adequately screened facilities shall be provided for the use
of male and female workers;
c) such facilities shall be conveniently accessible and shall be kept clean.
2) The State Government may, in respect of any factory or class or description of
factories or of any manufacturing process, prescribe standards of adequate and
suitable facilities for washing.
1.25 Facilities for storing and drying clothing
The State Government may, in respect of any factory or class or description of
factories, make rules requiring the provision therein of suitable places for keeping
clothing not worn during working hours and for the drying of wet clothing.
1.26 Facilities for sitting
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c) the foodstuffs to be served therein and the charges which may be made
therefore;
d) the constitution of a managing committee for the canteen and
representation of the workers in the management of the canteen;
1.29 Shelters, rest rooms and lunch rooms
1) In every factory wherein more than one hundred and fifty workers are
ordinarily employed, adequate and suitable shelters or rest rooms and a
suitable lunch room, with provision for drinking water, where workers can
eat meals brought by them, shall be provided and maintained for the use of
workers;
Provided further that where a lunch room exists no worker shall eat any food
in the work room.
2) The shelters or rest rooms or lunch rooms to be provided under sub-section
(1) shall be sufficiently lighted and ventilated and shall be maintained in cool
and clean condition.
3) The State Government may,
a) prescribe the standards in respect of construction, accommodation,
furniture and other equipment of shelters, rest rooms and lunch rooms
to be provided under this section;
b) by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt any factory or class or
description of factories from the requirements of this section.
1.30 Creches
1) In every factory wherein more than thirty 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.
2) 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.
3) The State Government may make rules,
a) prescribing the location and the standards in respect of construction,
accommodation, furniture and other equipment of rooms to be provided
under this section;
b) requiring the provision in factories to which this section applies of
additional facilities for the care of children belonging to women workers,
including suitable provision of facilities for washing and changing their
clothing;
c) requiring the provision in any factory of free milk or refreshment or both
for such children;
d) requiring that facilities shall be given in any factory for the mothers of
such children to feed them at the necessary intervals.
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LESSON - 18
b) The (state) Government may, by notification, direct that all or any of this
provision of this Act shall come in to force in any other area on such date
as may be specified in such notification.
Definitions
In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context-
1. ‘child’ means a person who has not completed fourteen years.
2. ‘closed’ means not open for the service of any customer or open to any
business connected with the establishment.
3. ‘commercial establishment’ means an establishment which is not a shop but
which carries on the business of advertising, commission, forwarding or
commercial agency, or which is clerical department of factory or industrial
undertaking or which is an insurance company, joint stock company, bank,
broker’s office or exchange and includes such other establishments as the
state government by notification may by notification declare to be a
commercial establishment for the purposes of this Act.
4. ‘day’ means the period of twenty-four hours beginning at midnight. Provided
that in the case of a person employed, whose hours extend beyond midnight,
day means the period of twenty-fours beginning from the acting in the time
when such employment commences.
5. ‘employer’ means a person owning or having charge of the business of an
establishment and includes the manager, agent or other persons acting in the
general management or control of an establishment;
6. ‘establishment’ means a shop. Commercial establishment, restaurant, eating
house, theatre or any place of public amusement or entrainment and includes
such establishment as the State Government for the purposes of this Act;
7. ‘factory’ means any premises which is a factory within the meaning of the
Factories Act, 1948.
8. ‘inspector’ means an Inspector appointed under section 42;
9. ‘notification’ means a notification in the Fort St. George Gazette;
10. ‘opened’ means opened for the service of any customer.
11. ‘periods of work’ means the time during which a person employed is at the
disposal of the employer;
12. ‘person employed’ means
i) In the case of a shop, a person wholly or principally employed therein in
connection with the business of the shop;
ii) In the case of a factory or an industrial under taking, a member of the
clerical staff employed in such a factory or undertaking;
iii) In the case of a commercial establishment other than a clerical
department of a factory or an industrial undertaking, a person wholly or
principally employed in connection with the business establishment,
and includes a peon;
iv) In the case of a restaurant or eating house, a person who wholly or
principally employed in the preparation or the serving food or drink or
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20. ‘Young person’ means a person who is not a child and has not completed
seventeen years
References to time of day
Reference to time of day in this act are references to India Standard time
which is five and a half hours ahead of Greenwich mean time.
Exemption
1. Nothing contained in this act shall apply to-
a) persons employed in any establishment in a position of management
b) persons whose work involves traveling: and persons employed as canvasser
send caretakers
c) Establishments under the central and (State) Government, local authorities,
the Reserve Bank of India, and cantonment authorities
d) Establishments in mines and oil fields
e) Establishments in bazaars in places where fairs or festivals are held
temporarily for a period not exceeding fifteen days at a time.
f) Establishments which, not being factories within the meaning of the
Factories Act, 1948 are in respect of matters dealt e/within this Act,
governed by a separate law for the time being in force in the (State), (2)
Nothing contained in section 7 or section 13, as the case may be, shall apply
to- a) hospitals and other institutions for the treatment or care of the sick,
the in firm, the destitute or the mentally unfit; b) Such chemists or druggists
shops as the (State) government may, by general or special order, specify
Power to Government to apply Act of exempted persons or establishments
No withstanding anything contained in section 4, the Government may, by
notification apply or any of the provisions of this Act to any class of persons or
establishment mentioned in that section, other than those mentioned in clause (c)
and (f) of sub-section (1), and modify or cancel any such notification
Exemptions
The Government may, by notification, exempt either permanently or for any
specified period, any establishment or class of establishments or person or class of
persons, from all or any of the provisions of this Act, subject to such conditions as
the Government deem fit.
Opening and closing hours of shops
1) Save as provided by order or under other enactment for the time being in force,
no shop shall on any date be opened earlier or closed later than such hours as
may be fixed by the (State) Government, by a general or special order in that
behalf: provided that any customer who was being served or was waiting to be
served in any shop at the hour fixed for its closing may be served during the
quarter of an hour immediately following such hour.
2) Before passing an order under sub section (1), the (State) government shall hold
an inquiry in the prescribed manner.
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3) The (State) government may, for the purpose of this section, fix different hours
for different shops or different classes of shops or for different areas or for
different times of the year.
Selling out Side shops prohibited after closing hour
Save as provided by or under any other enactment for the time being in force,
no person shall carry on, in or adjacent to a street or public place, the sale of any
goods after the hour fixed under section 7 for the closing of shops dealing in the
same class of goods in the locality in which such street or public place is situated:
Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to the sale of newspapers.
Daily and weekly hours of work in shops
1) Subject to the provision of this Act, no person employed in any shop shall be
required or allowed to work therein for more than eight hours in any day and
forty eight hours in any week: Provided that any such person may be allowed
to work in such shop for any period in excess of the limit fixed under this sub
section subject to payment of overtime wages, if the period of work including
overtime work, does not exceed ten hours in any day and in the aggregate
fifty-four hours in any week.
2) No person employed in any shop shall be required or allowed to work therein
for more than four hours in any day unless he has had an interval for rest of
at least one hour.
Spread over of period of work
The periods of work of a person employed in a shops hall be so arranged
that, along with his intervals for ret, they shall not spread over more than twelve
hours in a day.
Closing of shops and grant of holidays
1) Every shop shall remain entirely close on one day of the week which day
shall be specified by the shopkeeper in a notice permanently exhibited in a
conspicuous place in the shop; and the day so specified shall not be altered
by the shopkeeper more often than once in three months.
2) Every person employed in a shop shall be allowed in each week a holiday of
one whole day; Provided that nothing in this sub section shall apply to any
person whose total period of employment in the week, including any days
spent on authorized leave, is less than six days, or entitle a person who has
been allowed a whole holiday on the day on which the shop has remained
closed in pursuance of sub section (1), to an additional holiday
3)
a) The (State) government may, by notification, require in respect of shops or
any specified class of shops, that they shall, in addition to the day
provided for by subsection (1), be closed at such hour in the afternoon of
one week f/day in every week at such hour as may be fixed by the (State)
Government.
b) Every person employed in any shop to which a notification under clause (a)
applies, shall be allowed in each week an additional holiday of one half day
128
commencing at the hour in the afternoon fixed for the closing of the shop
under clause (a)
4) The (State) government may, for the purpose of sub section (3), fix different
hours for different shops or different classes of shops or for different areas or
for different times of the year.
5) The weekly day on which a shop is closed in pursuance of requirement
under subsection (3) shall be made from the wage of any person employed in
a shop on account of any day or part of a day on which it has remained
closed or a holiday has been allowed in accordance with this section; and if
such person is employed on the basis that he would not ordinarily receive
wages for such day or part of a day, he shall nonetheless be paid for such
day or part of a day the wages he would have drawn, had the shop not
remained closed, or had the holiday not been allowed, on that day or part of
a day.
Establishments other than shops
Application of this chapter to establishments other than shops:
The provisions of this chapter shall apply only to establishments other than
shops.
Opening and closing hours:
1) Save as provided by or under any other enactment for the time being in force,
no establishment shall be opened earlier or closed later than such hour as
may be fixed by the Government, by general or special order in that behalf:
Provided that in the case of a restaurant or eating house, any customer who
was being served or was waiting to be served therein at the hour fixed for the
closing may be served therein at the hour fixed for the closing may be served
during the quarter of an hour immediately following such hour.
2) Before passing an order under sub-section (1), the Government shall make an
inquiry in the prescribed manner.
3) The Government may, for the purposes of this section, fix different hours for
different hours for different establishments or for different areas or for
different times of the year
Daily and weekly hours of work:
1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, no person employed in any establishment
shall be required or allowed to work for more than eight hours in any day and
forty-eight hours in any week: Provided that any such person may be allowed
to work in such establishment for any period in excess of the limit fixed under
this sub-section subject to payment of overtime wages, if the period of work,
including overtime work, does not exceed ten hours in any day and in the
aggregate fifty-four hours in any week.
2) No person employed in any establishment shall be required or allowed to work
in such establishment for more than four hours in any day unless he has had
an interval rest at least one hour.
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Ventilation
The premises of every establishment shall be ventilated in accordance with
such standards and by such methods as may be prescribed.
Lighting
1) The premises of every establishment shall be sufficiently lighted during all
working labours.
2) If it appears to an Inspector that the premises of any establishment within his
jurisdiction is not sufficiently lighted or ventilated, he may serve on the
employer an order in writing specifying the measures which, in his opinion,
should be adopted and requiring them to be carried out before a specified
date.
Precautions against fire
In every establishment, such precautions against fire shall be taken as may be
prescribed.
Appeal
Against any order of the Inspector under this chapter, an appeal shall lie to
such authority and within such time as may be prescribed; and the decision of the
appellate authority shall be final.
Holidays with Wages
Holidays and sick leave
1) Every person employed in any establishment shall be entitled, after twelve
months continuous service, to holidays with wages for a period of 12 days, in
the subsequent period of twelve months: provided that such holidays with
wages may be accumulated upto a maximum of twenty-four days.
2) Every person employed in any establishment shall also be entitled during his
first twelve months of continuous service after the commencement of this Act,
and during every subsequent twelve months of such service.
a) to leave with wages for a period not exceeding twelve days, on the ground
of any sickness incurred or accident sustained by him and
b) to casual leave with wages for a period not exceeding twelve days on any
reasonable ground.
3) If a person entitled to any holidays under sub-section (1) is discharged by his
employer before he has been allowed the holidays, or if having applied for and
been refused the holidays, he quits his employment before he has been
allowed the holidays, the employer shall pay him the amount payable under
this act in respect of the holidays.
4) If a person entitled to any leave under sub-section (2) is discharged by this
employer when he is sick of suffering from the result of an accident, the
employer shall pay him the amount payable under this act in respect of the
period of the leave to which he was entitled at time of his discharge, in
addition to the amount, if nay payable to him under sub-section (3).
131
shall ensure that the notice is kept on the board for not less than fourteen days
from the date of such posting.
5. Power of Government to appoint Court of Inquiry in cases of accidents
When any accident of the nature referred to in any of the clauses of Subsection
(I) of Section 23 occurs in or about a mine, the Central Government may, if it is of
opinion that a formal inquiry into the causes of and circumstances attending the
accident ought to be held, appoint a competent person to hold such inquiry and
may also appoint one or more persons possessing legal or special knowledge to act
as assessor or assessors in holding the inquiry.
6. Notice of Certain diseases
Where any person employed in a mine contracts any disease notified by the
Central Government in the Official Gazette as a disease connected with mining
operations, the owner, agent or manager of the mine, as the case may be, shall
send notice thereof to the Chief Inspector and to such other authorities, in such
form and within such time as may be prescribed.
7. Power of direct investigation of cause of disease
The Central Government may, if considers it expedient to do so, appoint a
competent person to inquire into and report it on any case where a disease notified
under Subsection (I) of Section 25 has been or is suspected to have been contracted
in a mine, and may also appoint one or more persons possessing legal or special
knowledge to act as assessors in such inquiry.
Section 9A was introduced in the Mines (Amendment) Act, 1983, which
provides for safety and occupational health survey in a mine by the Chief Inspector
or other office authorized by him after giving notice in writing to the manager of the
mine. The owner, agent or manager is required to give all necessary facilities
examination of persons and in conducting the survey.
18.4 REVISION POINTS
The provisions of bill come in Force in the First Instance in the city of Madras.
Bill will apply to person employed in shops, commercial firm, restaurants, theater
etc. but will not apply to certain establishments and person under central or
provisional govt., There are provisions intended to ensure prompt payment of wages
and prohibition of unauthorized deduction from wages and follow mainly those of
the payment of wages Act 1936. Suitable penalties has been prescribed for
contravention of the different provision of the bill.
18.5 INTEXT QUETIONS
1) Discuss the openings and closing hours of shop under this Act.
2) Discuss the holidays with wages under this Act.
3) Discuss the various types of deductions from wages under this Act.
18.6 SUMMARY
The chapter II & III of this bill enable Govt., to fix the opening and closing
hours of shops, commercial firms and restaurant.
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LESSON - 19
2) Subject to such rules as may be made in this behalf by the State Government,
the chief inspector may declare the local area or areas within which, or the
plantations with respect to which, inspectors shall exercise their powers
under this At, and may himself exercise the powers of an inspector within
such limits as may be assigned to him by the State Government.
3) The chief inspector all inspectors shall be deemed to be public servants within
the meaning of the Indian Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860)
5) Powers and functions of inspectors
Subject to any rules made by the State Government in this behalf, an
inspector may within the local limits for which he is appointed--
a) make such examination and inquiry as he thinks fit in order to ascertain
whether the provisions of this Act and of the rules made thereunder are being
observed in the case of any plantation;
b) with such assistants, if any, as he thinks fit, enter, inspect and examine any
plantation or part thereof at any reasonable time for purpose of carrying out
the objects of this Act;
c) examine the crops grown in any plantation or any worker employed therein or
require the production of any register or other document maintained in
pursuance of this Act, and take on the spot or otherwise statements of any
person which he may consider necessary for carrying out the purposes of this
Act;
d) exercise such other powers as may be prescribed:
Provided that no person shall be compelled under section to answer any
question or make any statement tending to incriminate himself.
6) Facilities to be afforded to inspectors
Every employer shall afford the inspector all reasonable facilities for making any
entry, inspection, examination or inquiry under this Act.
7) Certifying surgeons
(1) The State Government may appoint qualified medical practitioners to be
certifying surgeons for the purposes of this Act within such local limits or for
such plantation or class of plantation or class of plantations as it may assign
to them respectively.
2) The certifying surgeon shall carry out such duties as may be prescribed in
connection with-
a) the examination and certification of workers;
b) the exercise of such medical supervisions as may be prescribed where
adolescents and children are, or are to be, employed in any work in any
plantation which is likely to cause injury to their health.
PROVISIONS AS TO HEALTH
8) Drinking water
In every plantation effective arrangement shall be made by employer to provide
and maintain at convenient places in the plantation a sufficient supply of wholesale
drinking water for all workers.
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9) Conservancy
(1) There shall be provided separately for males and females in every plantation a
sufficient number of latrines and urinals of prescribed type so situated as to
be convenient and accessible to workers employed therein.
2) All latrines and urinals provided under sub-section (1) shall be maintained in
a clean and sanitary condition.
10) Medical facilities
(1) In every plantation there shall be provided and maintained so as to be readily
available such medical facilities for the workers as may be prescribed by the State
Government.
2) If in any plantation medical facilities are not provided and maintained as required
by sub-section (1) the chief inspector may cause to be provided and maintained
therein such medical facilities, and recover the cost thereof from the defaulting
employer.
3) For the purposes of such recovery the chief inspector may certify the costs to be
recovered to the collector, who may recover the amount as an arrear of land-
revenue.
Welfare
11) Canteens
1) The State Government may make rules requiring that in every plantation
wherein one hundred and fifty workers, are ordinary employed, one or more
canteens shall be provided and maintained by the employer for the case of all
the workers.
2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules provide
for-
a) the date by which the canteen shall be provided;
b) the number of canteens that shall be provided and the standards in
respect of construction, accommodation, furniture and other equipment of
the canteens;
c) the food-stuffs which may be served therein and the charges which may
be made therefore;
d) the constitution of a managing committee for the canteen and the
representation of the workers in the management of the canteen;
e) the delegation to the chief inspector, subject to such conditions as may be
prescribed, of the power to make rules under clause (c).
12) Creches
(1) In every plantation wherein fifty or more women workers are employed or
were employed on any day of the preceding twelve months, there shall be
provided and maintained by the employer suitable rooms for the use of
children of such women who are below the age of six years.
2) Such room shall-
141
2) The State Government may prescribed the duties, qualifications and conditions
of service of officers employed under sub-section (1).
Hours and limitation of employment
18) Weekly hours
Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, no adult worker shall be
required or allowed to work on any plantation in excess of fifty-four hours a week
and no adolescent or child for more than forty hours a week.
19) Weekly holidays
(1) The State Government may by rules made in this behalf-
a) provide for a day of rest in every period seven days which shall be allowed
to all workers;
b) provide for payment for work done on a day of rest at a rate not less than
the overtime rate prevailing in the area, and where is no such rate as may
be fixed by the State Government in this behalf.
20) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (a) of sub-section
(1) Where a worker is willing to work on any day of rest which is not a closed
holiday in the plantation, nothing contained in this section shall prevent him
from doing so:
a) Provided that in so doing worker does not work for more than ten days
consecutively without a holiday for a whole day intervening.
Explanation 1 - Where on any day a worker has been prevented from working
in any plantation by reason of tempest, fire, rain or other natural causes,
that day, may, if he so desires, be treated as his day of rest for the relevant
period of seven days within the meaning of sub-section (1).
Explanation 2 - Nothing contained in this section shall apply to any worker
whose total period of employment including any day spent on leave is less
than six days.
21) Daily intervals for rest
The period of work on each day shall be so fixed that no period shall exceed
five hours and that no workers shall work for more than five hours before he has
had an interval for rest for at least half an hours,.
22) Spread-over
The period of work of and adult worker in a plantation shall be so arranged
that inclusive of this interval for rest under section 19 it shall not spread-over more
than twelve hours including the time spent in waiting for work on any day.
23) Notice of Period of work
(1) There shall be displayed and correctly maintained in every plantation a
notice of periods of work in such form and manner as may be prescribed
showing clearly for every day the periods during which the workers may be
required to work.
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Provided that where such agreement or contract of service provided in section 30,
include weekly holidays or holidays for festivals or other similar occasions.
Explanation - For the purpose of this Chapter leave shall not, except as provided
in section 30, include weekly holidays or holidays for festivals or other similar
occasions.
30) Annual leave with wages
1) Every worker shall be allowed leave with wages for a number of days
calculated at the rate of-
if an adult, one day for every twenty days of work performed by him, and
if a young person, one day for every fifteen days of work performed by him:
Provided that a period of leave shall be inclusive of any holiday which may
occur during such periods.
2) If a worker does not in any one period of twelve months take the whole of the
leave allowed to him under sub-section (1) any leave not taken by him shall
be added to the leave to be allowed to him under that sub-section in
succeeding period of twelve months.
3) A worker shall cease to earn any leave under this section when the earned
leaved due to him amounts to thirty days.
32) Wages during leave period
1) For the leave allowed to a worker under section 30 he shall be paid at the rate
equal to the daily average of his total full-time wages, exclusive of any
overtime earning and bonus, if any, but inclusive of dearness allowances and
the cash equivalent of any advantages accruing by the concessional supply by
the employer of foodgrains for the day on which he worked.
2) A worker who has been allowed leave for any period less, than four days in the
case of an adult and five days in the case of a young person under section 30
shall, before his leave begins, be paid his wages for the period of the leave
allowed.
33) Sickness and maternity benefits
1) Subject to any rules that may be made in this behalf, every worker shall be
entitled to obtained from his employer in the case of sickness certified by a
qualified medical practitioner, sickness allowance, and if a woman, in the case
of confinement or expected confinement, maternity allowance at such, rate for
such period and at such intervals as may be prescribed.
2) The State Government may make rules regulating the payment of sickness or
maternity allowance and any such rules may specify the circumstances in
which such allowance shall not be payable or shall cease to be payable, and in
framing any rules under this section the State Government shall have due
regard to the medical facilities that may be provided by the employer in any
plantation.
145
b) that the other person committed the offence in question without his
knowledge, consent or connivance:
the said other person shall be convicted of the offence and shall be liable to the like
punishment as if he were the employer and the employer shall be acquitted:
Provided that--
a) the employer may be examined on oath his evidence and that of any witness
whom he calls in his support shall be subject to cross-examination on behalf
of the person he charges to be the actual offender any by the prosecutor, and
b) If, in spite of due diligence, the person alleged as the actual offender cannot be
brought before the court on the day appointed for the hearing of the case, the
court shall adjourn the hearing thereof from time to tome so, however, that
the total period of such adjournment does not exceed three months, and if, by
the end of the said period, the person alleged as the actual offender cannot
still be brought before the court, the court shall proceed to hear the case
against the employer.
39) Cognizance of offences
No court shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act except on complaint
made by, or with previous sanction in writing of, the chief inspector and no court
inferior to that of a presidency magistrate or a magistrate of the second class shall try
any offence punishable under this Act.
40) Limitation of prosecutions
No court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under this Act unless the
complaint thereof has been made or is made within three months from the date on
which the alleged commission of the offence came to the knowledge of an inspector:
Provided that where the offence consists of disobeying a written order made by an
inspector, complaint thereof may be made within six months of the date on which the
offence is alleged to have been committed.
Miscellaneous
41) Power to give directions
The Central Government may give directions to the Government of any State as to
the carrying into execution in the State of provisions contained in this Act.
42) Power to exempt
The State Government may, by order in writing, exempt, subject to such
conditions and restrictions as it may think fit to impose, any employer or class of
employers from all or any of the provisions of this Act:
Provided that no such exemption shall be granted except with the previous
approval of the Central Government.
43) General power to make rules
(1) The State Government may, subject to the condition of previous publication,
make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act:
Provided that the date to be specified under clause (3) of section 23 of the
General Clauses Act, 1897 (X of 1897) shall not be less than six weeks from the
date on which the draft of the proposed rules was published.
147
2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foreign power, any such
rules may provide for --
a) the qualifications required in respect of the chief inspector and inspector;
b) the powers which may be exercised by inspectors and the areas in which
and the manner in which such powers may be exercised;
c) the medical supervision which may be exercised by certifying surgeons;
d) the examination by inspectors or other persons of the supply and
distribution of drinking water in plantations;
e) appeals from any order of the chief inspector or inspector and the form in
which, the time within which and the authorities to which, such appeals
may be preferred;
f) the time within which housing, recreational, educational or other facilities
required by this Act to be provided and maintained may be so provided;
g) the types of latrines and urinals that should be maintained in plantations;
h) the medical recreational and educational facilities that should be provided in
plantations;
i) the from and manner in which notices of period or work shall be displayed
and maintained.
j) the registers which should be maintained by employers and the returns,
whether occasional or periodical, as in the opinion of the state Government
may be required for the purposes of this Act; and
k) the hours of work for a normal working day for the purpose of wages and the
overtime.
3) All rules made under this Act, shall if made by any Government, other than the
Central Government, be subject to the previous approval of the Central Government.
PLANTATION LABOUR ACT AMENDMENTS 2010
THE PLANTATIONS LABOUR (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2010 NO. 17 OF 2010
(18th May, 2010). An Act further to amend the Plantation Labour Act, 1951. Be it
enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-first Year of the Republic of India as follows:
1. Short tiele and commencement. - (1) This Act may be called the Plantations
Labour (Amendment) Act, 2010. (2) it shall come into force on such date as the
Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint, and
different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and for different
States and any reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act
shall, in relation to any State, be construed as a reference to the coming into force
of that provision in that State.
Amendment of section 2. - In section 2 of the Plantations Labour Act, 1951
(hereinafter referred to as the principal act), -(a) in clause (e), the following
Explanation shall be inserted, namely:- ‘Explanation.-For the purposes of this
clause, “the person who has the ultimate control over the affairs of the plantation”
means in the case of a plantation owned or controlled by - (i) a company, firm or
other association of individual; (2) in particular, and without prejudice to the
generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the
following matters, namely:- (a) the restriction on employment of women and
148
adolescents for handling hazardous chemicals under sub-section (2) of section 18A;
(b) the qualifications of supervisor appointed under sub-section (3) of section 18A;
(c) the matters for training of workers under sub-section (4) section 18A; (d) the
medical examination of workers under sub-section (5) of section 18A; (e) the
facilities and equipments to be provided to the workers engaged in handling
insecticides, chemicals and toxic substances under sub-section (7) of section 18A;
(f) the precautionary notices to be exhibited under sub-section (9) of section
18A.”.(ii) the Central Government or State Government or State Government or any
local authority, the person or persons appointed to manage the “and includes,
where the worker is a male, his parents dependent upon him”, the words” and
includes parents and widow sister, dependent upon him or her” shall be
substituted; (c) inc clause 9k),-(i) in the opening portion, after the words” manual or
clerical”, the words “and includes a person employed on contract for more than
sixty days in a year” shall be inserted; (ii) in sub-clause (ii), for the words “rupees
seven hundred and fifty”, the words “rupees ten thousand” shall be substituted; (iii)
insub-clause (iii), for the words “managerial capacity, notwithstanding that his
monthly wages do not exceed rupees seven hundred and fifty”, the words
“managerial or administrative capacity, notwithstanding that his monthly wages do
not exceed rupees ten thousand” shall be substituted.
Amendment of section 7. - In section 7 of the principal Act, in sub-section (2),
in clause (b), for the words “and children are, or are to be”, the word “are” shall be
substituted.
Amendment of section 10. - In section 10 of the principal Act, in sub-section
(2), for the words “chief inspector”, the words “State Government upon a request by
the chief inspector” shall be substituted.
Insertion of new Chapter IVA. - After Chapter IV of the principal Act, the
following Chapter shall be inserted, namely:-
CHAPTER-IV A PROVISIONS AS TO SAFETY 18A. Safety. - (1) In every
plantation, effective arrangements shall be made by the employer to provide for the
safety of workers in connection with the use, handling, storage and transport of
insecticides, chemicals and toxic substances. (2) The State Government may make
rules for prohibiting or, restricting employment of women or adolescents in using or
handling hazardous chemicals. (3) The employer shall; appoint persons possessing
the prescribed qualifications to supervise the use, handling, storage and
transportation of insecticides, chemicals and toxic substances in his plantation. (4)
Every employer shall ensure that every worker in plantation employed for handling,
mixing, blending and applying insecticides, chemicals and toxic substances, is
trained about the hazards involved in different operations in which he is engaged,
the various safety measures and safe work practices to be adopted in emergencies
arising from spillage of such insecticides chemicals and toxic substances and such
other matters as may be prescribed by the State Government. (5) Every worker who
is exposed to insecticides, chemicals and toxic substances shall be medically
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LESSON - 20
have abundant clarity as their meaning in other relevant part of Act. These are
clause 5 - country to which Load line convention applies, clause 6 - country to
which safety convention applies, clause 19 - Load line certificate, clause 20 -
load line convention, clause 26 - pilgrim, clause 27 - pilgrimage, clause 28 -
pilgrim ship, clause 37 - Safety Convention, Clause 38 - Safety Convention
Certificate, Clause 53 - valid International load line Certificate and Clause 54 -
valid safety convention certificate.
The review committee has suggested amendments of the definition of the following terms
Clause-1(a) Coasting ship, Clause 2 - Coasting trade of India, clause 3 - distressed
seaman, Clause 12 - Finishing vessel, Clause 16 - Home Trade Ship, Clause 23 -
Owner, Clause 29 - Portal of Registry, Clause 35 - Register, Clause 42 - Seamen,
Clause 45 - Ship, Clause 55 - Vessel and Clause 58 - Wreck.
The committee also suggested to add the definition of following terms in Selection 3.
Exclusive economic zone, Skipper, Storm, Tanker, Chemical Tanker and Gas
Carrier.
Part-II of the Act contains provisions relating to the establishment and composition of
National Shipping Board, its functions and powers of the Government to make
rules in this respect for term of office of members, appointment of officers or other
allowances of Board members.
Part-III deals with the General Administration, appointment of Director General,
establishment of Mercantile Marine Departments, Shipping Offices, Seaman’s
employment offices and Seamen’s Welfare Offices. It also deals with the
appointment of Principal Officers at MMD, Mumbai, Calcutta and Madras and
other officers at other ports, appointment of surveyors, radio inspectors, Shipping
Masters, Director of Seamen’s Employment Offices and Seamen’s Welfare Officers.
Part-IV:which dealt with the formation of Shipping Development Fund and
establishment of Shipping Development Fund Committee, has been abolished
vide M.S. (Amendment) Act 1986 (66 of 1986).
Part-V: deals with the registration of Indian ships, contains provisions for obligation to
register, procedure for registration, Grant of certificate of registry, endorsement
for change of Master and Owner, provision far transfer of ships shares etc., rules
as to name of ship, provisions for registry of alternations registry a new and
transfer of registry, national character of the ships and flag etc.
Part-VI: gives provisions relating to the certificates of officers - Masters, Mates,
Engineers, Skippers etc., and also requirements of officers on board various
category of ships. Review Committee has recommended that instead of specifying
the manning scale in the Act itself, Government should have rule making powers
to prescribe different meaning scale for different types of ships and also to carry a
safe meaning document on board the ship.
Part-VI:A contains provisions for obligation of certain certificate holder to serve
Government or in Indian ships.
154
Part-VII: deals with seamen and apprentices. It gives vide ranging provision for
classification of seamen, their engagements, discharge, payment of wages, their
right for wages dispute between seamen and employers, provisions for property of
deceased seamen and apprentices, distressed seamen, provisions for health and
accommodation, protection of seamen in case of litigation and other matters,
provision as to discipline, duties of Shipping Master, business of Seamen’s
employment offices and function of National Welfare Board for seafarers,
provisions for rule making powers imposition of the Board, term of office of
members, procedure for conduct of business, levy of fee for providing amenities to
seamen and procedure for collection and recovery of Levy fee.
Part-VIII: deals with passenger ships, their survey, Certificate of survey, power of
surveyor, fee, duration of survey, etc. It provides for keeping order in passenger
ships specifying certain acts of persons as an offence under the act. This part also
contains provision for special trade passenger ships and pilgrim ships.
Part-IX: of the Merchant Shipping Act 1958 deals with the provisions relating to Safety.
This part gives the provisions relating to construction rules for ships, prevention of
collisions, life saving appliances and fire appliances, installation of radio
telephony and direction finders, signaling lamp and provisions relating to stability
information. The part also deals with the provisions relating to Safety Certificates,
Safety equipment certificates, Safety radio telegraphy Certificates, exemption
certificates, etc., provision for determining load lines, issue of load line certificates
and special provisions as to ships other than Indian ships. This part also provides
powers to make rules as to timber cargo, carriage of dangerous goods, grain
loading plan and carriage of grain. The provisions also exists for sub division load
lines, unseaworthy Ships, definition of unsafe ships and liability for cost of
detention and powers to make rules to issue certificates under this part.
Part-IX: A Deals with Nuclear Ships which includes application or non application of
certain provision of this Act to Nuclear ships, issue of Nuclear passenger and
Nuclear Cargo Ship Safety Certificate and powers to make rules in this respect.
The review committee has suggested for inclusion of one more part - Part IX B to cover
provisions for mobile offshore Drilling units - section 344 J to 344 Z. (proposed).
Part-X: This part deals with the collision, accident at sea and liability which includes
provision for division of loss in case of collision, damages for personal injury etc.
Part-X: A - gives provision for limitation of liability of owners in case of certain damages.
Part-X: B - gives provision for civil liability for oil pollution damage. It embodies
provisions for limitation of liability of the owner, constitution of limitation fund,
consolidation of claims & distribution of fund amongst claimants, provision for
compulsory insurance or other financial guarantee and rule making powers.
The review committee has suggested include part X C to give provision of International
Oil Pollution fund Convention 1971 and its protocol.
155
Part-XI: This part gives provision for regular method of giving helm orders, duty of
master to report danger to navigation, manner of communicating report of danger
to navigations, obligation to render assistance to persons and ships in danger,
etc. This part is also under amendments in accordance with the recommendation
given by the review committee to include foreign flag vessels under preview, giving
information by Indian ships about position, course, speed to maritime
administration and provision for Indian ships to be fitted with prescribed
navigational aids and equipments.
Part XI A - Prevention and containment of pollution of sea by Oil:
This part contains provision for prevention of pollution and gives powers to
Central Government for prohibition as to discharge of oil and oily mixtures,
inspection and control of ships to which Oil Pollution Convention applies,
maintenance or Oil record book, oil reception facilities at the ports in India and
powers of the Government to take measures for preventing or containing oil
pollution, direction to certain ships to render assistance and levy of oil pollution
cess. Rules can also be framed by the Government under the provision of this part.
This part does not contain provision for the action to be taken when oil is
escaped. The review Committee has recommended to empower the Central
Government to take appropriate action when oil is escaped.
Part-XII: This part provides the provision for investigation and inquiries in shipping
casualties. It gives powers to the Court for holding formal investigations, to arrest
witnesses or enter the ships, to commit trails, to censure masters, mates or
engineer, or to remove master. A marine board can be appointed by counselor
officer if the casualty occurs at foreign waters. Central Government can cancel or
suspend certificate of Master, Mate or Engineer, Constitution of court of survey,
reference in difficult cases to scientific persons and investigation into explosions
or fire on board of ship are the other provisions of this part.
The review committee has suggested to constitute a formal board of investigation
headed by a judge of giving the matters to the court, as is assumed that the court
take too much of time in coming to a conclusion.
Part-XIII: This part gives provision for matters relating to wreck and salvage. India has
ratified 1989 Salvage Convention and therefore review committee has suggested
that provisions of this Convention may be instead amending Section 390, 398,
402 (1) and 404.
Part-XIV: of the Act gives powers to the Central Govt. for control of Indian ships and ships
engaged in coasting trade. Section 412 giving powers to fix shipping rates has already
been abolished. Some relaxation have also been given under cabotage law.
Part-XV: contains the provisions for sailing vessels and part XVA for fishing boats,
their registry, name, inspection, certification etc.
Part-XVI: gives the provisions for penalties for violation of the provisions of the Act and
procedure thereof.
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LESSON - 21
UNIT-VI
LESSON - 22
injuries specified in Part II thereof where the aggregate percentage of the loss
earning capacity, as specified in Part II against those injuries, amounts to
one hundred per cent. or more;
m) “Wages” includes any privilege or benefit which is capable of being estimated
in money, other than travelling allowance or the value of any travelling
concession or a contribution paid by the employer of a workman towards
any pension or provident fund or a sum paid to a workman to cover any
special expenses entailed on him by the nature of his employment;
n) “Workman” means any persons who is__(i) a railway servant as defined in
clause (34) of section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989), not
permanently employed in any administrative, district or sub-divisional office
of a railway and not employed in any such capacity as is specified in
Schedule II, or
a) A master, seaman or other member of the crew of a ship,
b) A captain or other member of the crew of an aircraft,
c) A person recruited as driver, helper, mechanic, cleaner or in any other
capacity in connection with a motor vehicle,
d) A person recruited for work abroad by a company, and who is employed
outside India in any such capacity as is specified in Schedule II and the
ship, aircraft of motor vehicle, or company, as the case may be, is
registered in India, or
1) Employed in any such capacity as is specified in Schedule II, whether the
contract of employment was made before or after the passing of this Act
and whether such contract is expressed or implied, oral or in writing; but
does not include any person working in the capacity of a member of the
Armed Forces of the Union; and any reference to a workman who has
been injured shall, where to workman is dead, include a reference to his
dependants or any of them.
2) The exercise and performance of the powers and duties of a local
authority or of any department acting on behalf of the Government shall,
for the purposes of this Act, unless contrary intention appears, be
deemed to be the trade or business of such authority or department.
3) The Central Government or the State Government, by notification in the
Official Gazette, after giving not less than three months’ notice of its
intention so to do, may, by a like notification, add to Schedule II any
class of persons employed in any occupation which it is satisfied is a
hazardous occupation, and the provisions of this Act shall thereupon
apply, in case of a notification by the Central Government, within the
territories to which the Act extends, or, in the case of a notification by
the State Government, within the State, to such classes of persons:
Provided that in making addition, the Central Government or the State
Government or the State Government, as the case may be, may direct that the
168
provisions of this Act shall apply to such classes of persons in respect of specified
injuries only.
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION
Employer’s liability for compensation
1. If personal injury is caused to a workman by accident arising out of and in the
course of his employment, his employer shall be liable to pay compensation in
accordance with the provisions of this Chapter:
Provided that the employer shall not be so liable-
a) In respect of any injury which does not result I the total or partial
disablement of the workman for a period exceeding three days;
b) In respect of any injury, not resulting in death or permanent total
disablement, caused by an accident which is directly attributable to-
i) The workman having been at the time thereof under the influence of drink or
drugs, or
ii) The willful disobedience of the workman to an order expressly given, or to a
rule expressly framed, for the purpose of securing the safety of workmen, or
iii) The willful removal or disregard by the workman of any safety guard or other
device which he knew to have been provided for the purpose of securing the
safety of workmen.
2. If a workman employed in any employment specified in Part A of Schedule III
contracts any disease specified therein as an occupational disease peculiar to
that employment, or if a workman, whilst in the service of an employer in whose
service he has been employed for a continuous period of not less than six
months (which period shall not include a period of service under any other
employer in the same kind of employment) in any employment specified in Part
B of Schedule III, contracts any disease specified therein as an occupational
disease peculiar to that employment, or if a workman whilst in the service of
one or more employers in any employment specified in Part C of Schedule III for
such continuous period as the Central Government may specify in respect of
each such employment, contracts any disease specified therein as an
occupational disease peculiar to that employment, the contracting of the disease
shall be deemed to be an injury by accident within the meaning of this section
and, unless the contrary is proved, the accident, shall be deemed to have arisen
out of, and in the course of, the employment:
3. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to confer any right to compensation on
a workman in respect of any injury if he has instituted in a Civil Court a suit for
damages in respect of the injury against the employer or any other person; and
no suit for damages shall be maintainable by a workman in any Court of law in
respect of any injury-
i) if he has instituted a claim to compensation in respect of the injury
before a Commissioner; or
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ii) if an agreement has been come to between the workman and his
employer providing for the payment of compensation in respect of the
injury in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
Amount of compensation
1.Subject to the provisions of this Act, the amount of compensation shall be as
follows, namely:-
Where death results from the injury an amount equal to fifty per cent of monthly
wages of the deceased workman multiplied by
the relevant factor;
or
an amount of eighty thousand rupees,
whichever is more;
Where permanent total disablement an amount of sixty per cent of the monthly
results from the injury wages of the injured workman multiplied by
the relevant factor,
or
an amount of ninety thousand rupees,
whichever is more
2. The half-monthly payment referred to in clause (d) of sub-section (1) shall be
payable on the sixteenth day-
i) from the date of disablement where such disablement lasts for a period of
twenty-eight days or more, or
ii) after the expiry of a waiting period of three days from the date of
disablement where such disablement lasts for a period of less than twenty-
eight days; and thereafter half-monthly during the disablement or during a
period of five years, whichever period is shorter:
Provided that-
a) There shall be deducted from any lump sum or half-monthly payments to
which the workman is entitled the amount of any payment or allowance
which the workman has received from the employer by way of compensation
during the period of disablement prior to the receipt of such lump sum or of
the first half-monthly payment, as the case may be; and
b) No half-monthly payments shall in any case exceed the amount, if any, by
which half the amount of the monthly wages of the workman before the
accident exceeds half the amount of such wages which he is earning the
accident.
3. On the ceasing of disablement before the date of which any half-monthly
payment falls due, there shall be payable in respect of that half-month a sum
proportionate to the duration of the disablement in that half-month.
4. If the injury of the workman results in his death, the employer shall, in addition
to the compensation under sub-section (1), deposit with the Commissioner a
sum of two thousand and five hundred rupees for payment of the same to the
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of the workman or to any other person, whom the Commissioner thinks best
fitted to provide for the welfare of the workman.
8. Where, on application made to him in this behalf or otherwise, the
Commissioner is satisfied that, on account of neglect of children on the part of
a parent or an account of the variation of the circumstances of any dependant
or for any other sufficient cause, an order of the Commissioner as to the
distribution of any sum paid as compensation or as to the manner in which
any sum payable to any such dependant is to be invested, applied or
otherwise dealt with, ought to be varied, the Commissioner may make such
orders for the variation of the former order as the thinks just in the
circumstances of the case:
Provided that no such order prejudicial to any person shall be made unless
such person has been given an opportunity of showing cause why the order should
not be made, or shall be made in any case in which it would involve the repayment
by a dependant of any sum already paid to him.
Compensation not to be assigned, attached or charged
Save as provided by this Act, no lump sum or half-monthly payment payable
under this Act shall in any way be capable of being assigned or charged or be liable
to attachment or pass to any person other than the workman by operation of law,
nor shall any claim be set off against the same.
Notice and claim
1. No claim for compensation shall be entertained by a Commissioner unless
notice of the accident has been given in the manner hereinafter provided as
soon as practicable after the happening thereof and unless the claim is
preferred before him within two years of the occurrence of the accident or, in
case death, within two years from date of death:
Provided that, where the accident is the contracting of disease in respect of
which the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 3 are applicable, the accident
shall be deemed to have occurred on the first of the days during which the
workman was continuously absent from work in consequence of the
disablement caused by the disease:
Provided further that if a workman who, having been employed in an
employment for a continuous period, specified under sub-section (2) of section
3 in respect of that employment, ceases to be so employed and develops
symptoms of an occupational disease peculiar to that employment within two
years of the cessation of employment, the accident shall be deemed to have
occurred on the day on which the symptoms were first detected:
2. Every such notice shall give the name and address of the person injured and
shall state in ordinary language the cause of the injury and the date on which
the accident happened, and shall be served on the employer or upon any one
of several employers, or upon any person responsible to the employer for the
management of any branch of the trade or business in which the injured
workman was employed.
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3. The State Government may require that any prescribed class of employers
shall maintain at their premises at which workmen are employed a notice
book, in the prescribed form, which shall be readily accessible at all
reasonable times to any injured workman employed on the premises and to
any person acting bona fide on his behalf.
4. A notice under this section may be served by delivering it at, or sending it by
registered post addressed to, the residence or any office or place of business of
the person on whom it is to be served, or, where a notice book is maintained,
by entry in the notice book.
Medical examination
1. Where a workman has given notice of an accident, he shall, if the employer,
before the expiry of three days from the time at which service of the notice has
been effected, offers to have him examined free of charge by a qualified
medical practitioner, submit himself for such examination, and any workman
who is in receipt of a half-monthly payment under this Act shall, if so
required, submit himself for such examination from time to time:
2. Provided that a workman shall not be required to submit himself for
examination by a medical practitioner otherwise than in accordance with rules
made under this Act, or at more frequent intervals than may be prescribed.
3. If a workman, on being required to do so by the employer under sub-section
(1) or by the Commissioner at any time, refuses to submit himself for
examination by a qualified medical practitioner or in any way obstructs the
same, his right to compensation shall be suspended during the continuance of
such refusal or obstruction unless, in the case of refusal, he was prevented by
any sufficient cause from so submitting himself.
4. If a workman, before the expiry of the period within which he is liable under
sub-section (1) to be required to submit himself for medical examination,
voluntarily leaves without having been so examined the vicinity of the place in
which he was employed, his right to compensation shall be suspended until
he returns and offers himself for such examination.
5. here a workman, whose right to compensation has been suspended under
sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) dies without having submitted himself for
medical examination as required by either of those sub-sections, the
Commissioner may, if he thinks fit, direct the payment of compensation to the
dependants of the deceased workman.
6. Where under sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) right to compensation is
suspended, no compensation shall be payable in respect of the period of
suspension, and, if the period of suspension commences before the expiry of
the waiting period referred to in clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 4, the
waiting period shall be increased by the period during which the suspension
continues.
7. Where an injured workman has refused to be attended by a qualified medical
practitioner whose services have been offered to him by the employer free of
charge or having accepted such offer had deliberately disregarded the
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instructions of such medical practitioner, then, if its proved that the workman
has not thereafter been regularly attended by a qualified medical practitioner
or having been so attended has deliberately failed to follow his instructions
and that such refusal, disregard or failure was unreasonable in the
circumstances of the case and that the injury has been aggravated thereby,
the injury and resulting disablement shall be deemed to be of the same nature
and duration as they might reasonably have been expected to be if the
workman had been regularly attended by a qualified medical practitioner,
whose instructions he had followed, and compensation, if any, shall be
payable accordingly.
Contracting
1. Where any person (hereinafter in this section referred to as the principal) in
the course of or for the purposes of his trade or business contracts with any
other person (hereinafter in this section referred to as the contractor) for the
execution by or under the contractor of the whole or any part of work which is
ordinarily part of the trade or business of the principal, of the principal shall
be liable to pay to any workman employed in the execution of the work any
compensation which he would have been liable to pay if that workman had
been immediately employed by him; and where compensation is claimed from
the principal, this Act shall apply as if references to the principal were
substituted for references to the employer except that the amount of
compensation shall be calculated with reference to the wages of the workman
under the employer by whom he is immediately employed.
2. Where the principal is liable to pay compensation under this section, he shall
be entitled to be indemnified by the contractor, or any other person from
whom the workman could have recovered compensation and where a
contractor who is himself a principal is liable to pay compensation or to
indemnify a principal under this section he shall be entitled to be indemnified
by any person standing to him in the relation of a contractor from whom the
workman could have recovered compensation, and all questions as to the right
to and the amount of any such indemnity shall, in default of agreement, be
settled by the Commissioner.
3. Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a workman from
recovering compensation from the contractor instead of the principal.
4. This section shall not apply in any case where the accident occurred elsewhere
that on, in or about the premises on which the principal has undertaken or
usually undertakes, as the case may be, to execute the work or which are
otherwise under his control or management.
Remedies of employer against Stranger
Where a workman has recovered compensation is respect of any injury caused
under circumstances creating a legal liability in respect thereof, the person by
whom the compensation was paid to pay damages in respect thereof, the person by
whom the compensation was paid and any person who has been called on to pay
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the amount of such compensation together with such other particulars as to the
compensation as the State Government may direct.
Contracting out
Any contract of agreement whether made before or after the commencement of
this Act, whereby a workman relinquishes any right of compensation from the
employer for personal injury arising out of or in the course of the employment, shall
be null and void insofar as it purports to remove or reduce the liability of any
person to pay compensation under this Act.
COMMISSIONERS
Reference to Commissioners
1. If any question arises in any proceedings under this Act as to the liability of
any person to pay compensation (including any question as to whether a
person injured is or is not a workman) or as to the amount or duration of
compensation (including any questions as to the nature or extent of
disablement), the question shall, in default of agreement, be settled by a
Commissioner.
2. No Civil shall have jurisdiction to settle, decide or deal with any question
which is by or under this Act required to be settled, decided dealt with by a
Commissioner or the enforce any liability incurred under this Act.
Appointment of Commissioners
1. The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint any
person to be a Commissioner for Workmen’s Compensation for such area, as
may be specified in the notification.
2. Where more than one Commissioner has been appointed of any area, the State
Government may, by general or special order, regulate the distribution of
business between them.
3. Any Commissioner may, for the purpose of deciding any matter referred to
him for decision under this Act, choose one or more persons possessing
special knowledge of any matter relevant to the matter under inquiry to assist
him in holding the inquiry.
4. Every Commissioner shall be deemed to be a public servant within the
meaning of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
Venue of proceedings and transfer
1. Where any matter under this Act is to be done by or before a Commissioner,
the same shall, to the provisions of this Act and to any rules made hereunder,
be done by or before the Commissioner for the area in which-
a) The accident took place which resulted in the injury; or
b) The workman or in case of his death, the dependant claiming the
compensation ordinarily resides; or
c) The employer has his registered office:
2. If a Commissioner is satisfied that any matter arising out of any proceedings
pending before him can be more conveniently dealt with by any other
Commissioner, whether in the same State or not, he may, subject to rules
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made under this Act, order such matter to be transferred to such other
Commissioner either for report or for disposal, and, if he does so, shall
forthwith transmit to such other Commissioner all documents relevant for the
decision of such matter and, where the matter is transferred for disposal, shall
also transmit in the prescribed manner any money remaining in his hands or
invested by him for the benefit of any party to the proceedings.
3. The Commissioner to whom any matter is so transferred shall, subject to rules
made under this Act, inquire there into and, if the matter was transferred for
report, return his report thereon or, if the matter was transferred for disposal,
continue the proceedings as if they had originally commenced before him.
4. On receipt of a report from a Commissioner to whom any matter has been
transferred for report under sub-section (2), the Commissioner by whom it
was referred shall decide the matter referred in conformity which such report.
5. The State Government may transfer any matter from any Commissioner
appointed by it to any other Commissioner appointed by it.
Form of application
1. Where an accident occurs in respect which liability to pay compensation
under this Act arises, a claim for such compensation may, subject to the
provisions of this Act, be made before the Commissioner.
2. An application to a Commissioner may be made in such form and shall be
accompanied by such fee, if any, as may be prescribed, and shall contain, in
addition to any particulars which may be prescribed, the following particulars,
namely:-]
a) A concise statement of the circumstances in which the application is made
and the relief or order which the applicant claims;
b) In the case of a claim for compensation against an employer, the date of
service of notice of the accident on the employer, and, if such notice has
not been served or has not been served in due time, the reason for such
omission;
c) The names and address of the parties; and
d) Except in the case of an application by dependants for compensation a
concise statement of the matters on which agreement has and of those on
which agreement has not been come to.
Appearance of parties
Any appearance, application or act required to be made or done by any person
before or to a Commissioner (other than an appearance of a party which is required
for the purpose of his examination as a witness) may be made or done on behalf of
such person by a legal practitioner or by an official of an Insurance Company or a
registered Trade Union or by an Inspector appointed under sub-section (1) of
section 8 of the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948), or under sub-section (1) of section
5 of the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952), or bay any other officer specified by the State
Government in this behalf, authroised in writing by such person, or, with the
permission of the Commissioner, by any other person so authorized.
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LESSON – 23
doing, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that all or any of the provisions
of this Act shall apply also to any other establishment or class of establishments,
industrial, commercial, agricultural or otherwise.
2. Save as otherwise provided in sections 5-A and 5-B nothing contained in this Act
shall apply to any factory or other establishment to which the provisions of the
Employee’s State Insurance Act, 1948 (34 of 1948), apply for the time being.
Definitions in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires
a) “Appropriate Government” means, in relation to an establishment being a mine
or an establishment wherein persons are employed for the exhibition of
equestrian, acrobatic and other performances the Central Government and in
relation to any other establishment, the State Government;
b) “Child” includes a stillborn child;
c) “Delivery” means the birth of a child;
d) “Employer” means,
i) In relation to an establishment under any local authority, the person
appointed by such authority for the supervision and control employees or
where not person is so appointed, the Chief Executive Officer of the local
authority;
ii) In any other case, the person who, or the authority which, has the
ultimate control over the affairs of the establishment and where the said
affairs are entrusted to any other person whether called a manager,
managing director, managing agent, or by any other name, such person;
e) “Establishment” means
A factory;
A mine;
A plantation
An establishment wherein persons are employed for the exhibition of
equestrian, acrobatic and other performances;
An establishment to which the provisions of this Act have been declared
under sub-section (1) of section to be applicable;
f) “Factory” means a factory as defined in clause (m) of section 2 of the Factories
Act, 1948 (63 of 1948);
g) “Inspector” means an Inspector appointed under section 14;
h) “Maternity benefit” means the payment referred to in sub-section (1) of section 5;
a) “Medical termination of pregnancy” means the termination of pregnancy
permissible under the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy
Act, 1971 (34 of 1971);
i) “Mine” means a mine as defined in clause (j) of section 2 of the Mines Act, 1952
(35 of 1952);
j) “Miscarriage” means expulsion of the contents of a pregnant uterus at any
period prior to or during the twenty-sixth week of pregnancy but does not
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include any miscarriage, the causing of which is punishable under the Indian
penal Code (45 of 1860);
k) “Plantation” means a plantation as defined in clause (f) of section 2 of the
Plantations Labour Act, 1951 (69 of 1951);
l) “Prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
m) “State Government”, in relation to a Union territory, means the Administrator
thereof;
n) “Wages” means all remuneration paid or payable in cash to a woman, if the
terms of the contract of employment, express or implies, were fulfilled and
includes-
1. Such cash allowances (including dearness allowance and house-rent
allowance) as a woman is for the time being entitled to;
2. Incentive bonus; and
3. The money value of the concessional supply of food grains and other articles,
but does not include,
i) Any bonus other than incentive bonus;
ii) Over-time earning and any deduction or payment made on account of fines;
iii) Any contribution paid or payable by the employer to any pension fund or
provident fund or for the benefit of the woman under any law for the time
being in force; and
iv) Any gratuity payable on the termination of service;
o) “Woman” means a woman employed, whether directly or through any agency,
for wages in any establishment.
Employment of work by, women prohibited during certain period
1. No employer shall knowingly employ a woman in any establishment during
the six weeks immediately following the day of her delivery, miscarriage or
medical termination of pregnancy.
2. No woman shall work in any establishment during the six weeks immediately
following the day of her delivery, miscarriage or medical termination of
pregnancy.
3. Without prejudice to the provisions of section 6, no pregnant woman shall, on
a request being made by her in this behalf, be required by her employer to do
during the period specified in sub-section (4) any work which involves long
hours of standing or which in any way is likely to interfere with her
pregnancy or the normal development of the foetus, or is likely to cause her
miscarriage or otherwise to adversely affect her health.
4. The period referred to in sub-section (3) shall be,
a) The period of one month immediately preceding the period of six weeks,
before the date of her expected delivery;
b) Any period during the said period of six weeks for which the pregnant
woman does not avail of leave of absence under section 6.
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work in any establishment during the period for which she receives maternity
benefit.
2. In the case of a woman who is pregnant, such notice shall state the date from
which she will be absent from work, not being a date earlier than six weeks
from the date of her expected delivery.
3. Any woman who has not given the notice when she was pregnant may give
such notice as soon as possible after the delivery.
4. On receipt of the notice, the employer shall permit such woman to absent
herself from the establishment during the period for which she receives the
maternity benefit.
5. The amount of maternity benefit for the period preceding the date of her
expected delivery shall be paid in advance by the employer to the woman on
production of such proof as may be prescribed that the woman is pregnant,
and the amount due for the subsequent period shall be paid by the employer
to the woman within forty-eight hours of production of such proof as may be
prescribed that the woman has been delivered of a child.
6. The failure to give notice under this section shall not disentitle a woman to
maternity benefit or any other amount under this Act if she is otherwise
entitled to such benefit or amount and in any such case an Inspector may
either of his own motion or on an application made to him by the woman,
order the payment of such benefit or amount within such period as may be
specified in the order.
Payment of maternity benefit in case of death of a woman
If a woman entitled to maternity benefit or any other amount under this Act,
dies before receiving such maternity benefit or amount, or where the employer is
liable for maternity benefit under the second proviso to sub-section (3) of section 5,
the employer shall pay such benefit or amount to the person nominated by the
woman in the notice given under section 6 and in case there is no such nominee, to
her legal representative.
Payment of medical bonus
1. Every woman entitled to maternity benefit under this Act shall also be entitled
to receive from her employer a medical bonus of the one thousand rupees, if
no pre-natal confinement and post-natal care is provided for by the employer
free of charge.
2. The Central Government may before every three years, by notification in the
Official Gazette, increase the amount of medical bonus subject to the
maximum of twenty thousand rupees.
Leave for miscarriage, etc
In case of miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy, a women shall, on
production of such proof as may be prescribed, be entitled to leave with wages at
the rate of maternity benefit, for a period of six weeks immediately following the day
of her miscarriage or, as the case may be, her medical termination of pregnancy.
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a) The nature of work assigned to her by virtue of the provisions contained in sub-
section (3) of section 4; or
b) Breaks for nursing the child allowed to her under the provisions of section 11.
Appointment of Inspectors
The appropriate Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
appoint such officers as it thinks fit to be Inspectors for the purposes of this Act
and may define the local limits of the jurisdiction within which they shall exercise
their functions under this Act.
Powers and duties of Inspectors
An Inspector may, subject to such restrictions or conditions as may be
prescribed, exercise all or any of the following powers, namely,
a) Enter at all reasonable times with such assistants, if any, being persons in the
service of the Government or any local or other public authority, as he thinks
fit, any premises or place where woman are employed or work is given to them
in an establishment, for the purposes of examining any registers, records and
notices required to be kept or exhibited by or under this Act and require their
production for inspection;
b) Examine any person, whom he finds in any premises or place and who, he has
reasonable cause to believe, is employed in the establishment:
c) Provided that no person shall be compelled under this section to answer any
question or give any evidence tending to incriminate himself;
d) Require the employer to give information regarding the names and addresses
of women employed, payments made to them, and application or notices
received from them under this Act; and
e) Take copies of any registers and records or notices or any portions thereof.
Inspectors to be public servants
Every Inspector appointed under this Act shall be deemed to be a public
servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
Power of Inspector to direct payments to be made
1) Any woman claiming that,
a) Maternity benefit or any other amount to which she is entitled under this
Act and any person claiming that payment due under section 7 has been
improperly withheld;
b) Her employer has discharged or dismissed her during or an account of her
absence from work in accordance with the provisions of this Act, may make
a complaint to the Inspector.
2. The Inspector may, of his own motion or on receipt of a complaint referred to in
sub-section (1), make an inquiry or cause an inquiry to be made and if satisfied
that-
a) Payment has been wrongfully withheld, may direct the payment to be made
in accordance with his orders;
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recover such maternity benefit or amount as if it were a fine and pay the same
to the person entitled thereto.
Penalty for obstructing Inspector
Whoever fails to produce on demand by the Inspector any register or document
in his custody kept in pursuance of this Act or the rules made there under or
conceals or prevents any person from appearing before or being examined by an
Inspector shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extent to one year, or
with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Cognizance of offences
1. Any aggrieved woman, an office-bearer of a trade union registered under the
Trade Unions Act, 1926 (16 of 1926) of which such woman is a member or a
voluntary organization registered under the Societies Registration Act, of an
offence under this Act in any court of competent jurisdiction and no such
complaint shall be filled after the expiry of one year from the date on which
the offence is alleged to have been committed.
2. No Court inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Magistrate or a
Magistrate of the first class shall try any offence under this Act.
Protection of action taken in good faith
No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for
anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this
Act or of any rule or order made there under.
Power of Central Government to give directions
The Central Government may give such directions as it may deem necessary to
a State Government regarding the carrying into execution of the provisions of this
Act and the State Government shall comply with such directions.
Power to exempt establishments
If the appropriate Government is satisfied that having regard to an
establishment or a class of establishments providing for the grant of benefits which
are not less favourable than those provided in this Act, it is necessary so to do, it
may, by notification in the Official Gazette exempt, subject to such conditions and
restrictions, if any, as may be specified in the notification, the establishment or
class of establishments from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act
or of any rule made there under.
Effect of laws and agreements inconsistent with this Act
1. The provision of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything
inconsistent therewith contained in any other law or in the terms of any
award, agreement or contract of service, whether made before or after the
coming into force of this Act:
Provided that where under any such award, agreement, contract of service or
otherwise, a woman is entitled to benefits in respect of any matter which are
more favourable to her than those to which she would be entitled under this
Act, the woman shall continue to be entitled to the more favourable benefits in
191
respect of that matter, not withstanding that she is entitled to receive benefits
in respect of other matters under this Act.
2. Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to preclude a woman from
entering into an agreement with her employer for granting her rights or
privileges in respect of any matter, which are more favourable to her than
those to which she would be entitled under This Act.
Power to make rules
1. The appropriate Government may, subject to the condition of previous
publication and by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying
out the purposes of this Act.
2. In Particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power,
such rules may provide for,
a) The preparation and maintenance of registers, records and muster rolls;
b) The exercise of powers (including the inspection of establishments) and the
performance of duties by Inspectors for the purposes of this Act;
c) The method of payment of maternity benefit and other benefits under this
Act insofar as provision has not been made there for in this Act;
d) The form of notices under section 6;
e) The nature of proof required under the provisions of this act;
f) The duration of nursing breaks referred to in section 11;
g) Acts, which may constitute gross misconduct for purposes of section 12;
h) The authority to which an appeal under clause (b) of sub-section (2) of
section 12 shall lie; the form and manner in which such appeal may be
made and the procedure to be followed in disposal thereof;
i) The authority to which an appeal shall lie against the decision of Inspector
under section 17, the form and manner in which such appeal may be
made and the procedure to be followed in disposal thereof;
j) The form and manner in which complaints may be made Inspectors under
sub-section (1) of section 17 and the procedure to be followed by them
when making inquires or causing inquiries to be made under sub-section
(5) of that section;
k) Any other matter which is to be, or may be prescribed.
3. Every rule made by Central Government under this section shall be laid as
soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament while it is in
session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session
or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before expiry of the session
immediately following the session or the successive sessions, aforesaid both
Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree
that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in
such modified form or be of no effect, as case may be; so, however, that any
such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of
anything previously done under that rule.
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LESSON - 24
g) “Factory” means and any premises, including the precincts thereof, in any
part of which a manufacturing process is being carried on or is ordinarily so
carried on, whether with the aid of power of without the aid of power;
h) “Fund” means the Provident Fund established under a Scheme;
i) “Industry” means any industry specified in Schedule I, and includes any other
industry added to the Schedule by notification under section 4;
i) “Insurance Fund” means the Deposit-Linked Insurance Fund established
sub-section (2) of section 6-C;
ii) “Insurance Scheme” means the Employees’ Deposit-Linked Insurance
Scheme framed under sub-section (1) of Section 6-C;
iii) “Manufacture” or “Manufacturing process” means any process for making,
altering, repairing, ornamenting, finishing, packing, oiling, washing,
cleaning, breaking up, demolishing or otherwise treating or adapting any
article or substance with a view
j) “Member” means member of the Fund;
k) “Occupier of a factory” means person who has ultimate control over the affairs
of the factory, and, where the said affairs are entrusted to a managing agent,
such agent shall be deemed to be the occupier of the factory;
i) “Pension Fund” means the Employees’ Pension Fund established under
sub-section (2) of section 6-A;
ii) “Pension Scheme” means the Employees’ Pension Scheme framed under
sub-section (1) of section 6-A;
“Prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
“Recovery Officer” means any officer of the Central Government, State
Government or the Board of Trustees constituted under section 5-A, who
may be authorized by the Central Government, by notification in the Official
Gazette, to exercise the powers of a Recovery Officer under this Act;
l) “Scheme” means the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme framed under section;
“Superannuation”, in relation to an employee, who is the member of the
Pension Scheme means the attainment, by the said employee, of the age
of fifty-eight years;
m) “Tribunal” means the Employees’ Provident Funds Appellate Tribunal
constituted under section 7-D.
a) Employees’ Provident Fund Schemes
1. The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, frame a
Scheme to be called the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme for the
establishment of Provident Funds under this Act for employees on for any
class of employees and specify the establishments or class of establishments
to which the said Scheme shall apply and there shall be established, as soon
as may be after the framing of the Scheme, a Fund in accordance with the
provisions of this Act and the Scheme.
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a) The Fund shall vest in, and be administered by, the Central Board
constituted under section 5-A.
b) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a Scheme framed under sub-section (1)
may provide for all or any of the matters specified in Schedule II.
2. A Scheme framed under sub-section (1) may provide that any of its provisions
shall take effect either prospectively or retrospectively on such date as may be
specified in this behalf in the Scheme.
a. Central Board
1. The Central Government may, by notification in Official Gazette, constitute
with effect from such date as may be specified therein, a Board of Trustees
for the territories to which this Act extends (hereinafter in this Act referred to
as the Central Board consisting of the following persons as members, namely:
a) A Chairman and a Vice-Chairman to be appointed by the Central Government;
The Central Provident Fund Commissioner, ex Officio;
b) Not more than five persons appointed by the Central Government from
amongst its officials;
c) Not more than fifteen persons representing Governments of such States as
the Central Government may specify in this behalf, appointed by the
Central Government;
d) Ten persons representing employers of the establishment to which the
Scheme applies, appointed by the Central Government after consultation
with such organizations of employers as may be representing employers as
may be recognized by the Central Government in this behalf; and
e) Ten persons representing employees in the establishments to which the
Scheme applies, appointed by the Central Government after consultation
with such organizations of employees as may be recognized by the Central
Government in this behalf.
2. The terms and conditions subject to which a member of the Central Board
may be appointed and the time, place and procedure of the meetings of the
Central Board shall be such as may be provided for in the Scheme.
3. The Central Board shall perform such other functions as it may be required
to perform by or under any provisions of the Scheme, the Pension Scheme
and the Insurance Scheme.
4. The Central Board shall maintain proper accounts of its income and
expenditure in such form and in such manner as the Central Government
may, after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India,
specify in the Scheme.
5. The accounts of the Central Board shall be audited annually by the
Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and any expenditure incurred by
him in connection with such audit shall be payable by the Central Board to
the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
6. The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and any person appointed by
him in connection with the audit of the accounts of the Central Board shall
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have the same rights and privileges and authority in connection with such
audit as the Comptroller and Auditor-General has, in connection with audit
of Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the rights to demand
the production of books, accounts, connected vouchers, documents and
papers and inspect any of the offices of the Central Board.
7. The accounts of the Central Board as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor
-General of India or any other person appointed by him in this behalf
together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded to the Central
Board which shall forward the same to the Central Government along with its
comments on the report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General.
Executive Committee
1. The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
constitute, with effect from such date as may be specified therein, an
Executive Committee to assist the Central Board in the performance of its
functions.
2. The Executive Committee shall consist of the following persons as members,
namely:
a) A Chairman appointed by the Central Government from amongst the members
of the Central Board;
b) Two persons appointed by the Central Government form amongst persons
referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 5-A;
c) Three persons appointed by the Central Government from amongst the
persons referred to in clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 5-A;
d) Three persons representing the employers elected the Central Board from
amongst the persons referred to in clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 5-A;
e) Three persons representing the employees elected by the Central Board
from amongst the persons referred to in clause (e) of sub-section (1) of
section 5-A;
f) The Central Provident Fund Commissioner, ex officio.
b. State Board
1. The Central Government may, after consultation with the Government of any
State, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute for that State a Board
of Trustees (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the State Board), in such
manner as may be provided for the Scheme.
2. A State Board shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as the
Central Government may assign to it from time to time.
c. Board of Trustees to be body corporate.
Every Board of Trustees constituted under section 5-A or section 5-B shall be
a body corporate under the name specified in the notification constituting it, having
perpetual succession and a common seal and shall by the said name sue and be
sued.
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d. Appointment of officers
1. The Central Government shall appoint a Central Provident Fund
Commissioner who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Central Board
and shall be subject to the general control and superintendence of that Board.
2. The Central Government may also appoint a Financial Adviser and Chief
Accounts Officer to assist the Central Provident Fund Commissioner in the
discharge of his duties.
3. No appointment to the post of the Central Provident Fund Commissioner or an
Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner or a Financial Advisor and
Chief Accounts Officer or any other post under the Central Board carrying a
scale of pay equivalent to the scale of pay of any Group ‘A’ or Group ‘B’ post
under the Central Government shall be made except after consultation with
the Union Public Service Commission.
Employees’ Pension Scheme
1. The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, frame a Scheme
to be called the Employees’ Pension Scheme for the purpose of providing for,
a) Superannuation pension, retiring pension or permanent total disablement
pension to the employees of any establishment or class of establishments
to which this Act applies; and
b) Widow or widower’s pension, children pension or orphan pension payable
to the beneficiaries of such employees.
2. Notwithstanding anything contained in section 6, there shall be established, as
soon as may be after framing of the Pension Scheme, a Pension Fund into which
there shall be paid, from time to time, in respect of every employee who is a
member of the Pension Scheme,
a) Such sums from the employer’s contribution under section 6, not exceeding
eight and one-third per cent., of the basic wages, dearness allowance and
retaining allowance, if any, of the concerned employees, as may be specified
in the Pension Scheme;
b) Such sums as are payable by the employers of exempted establishments
under sub-section (6) of section 17;
c) The net assets of the Employees’ Family Pension Fund as on the date of the
establishment of the Pension Fund;
d) Such sums as the Central Government may, after due appropriation by
Parliament by law in this behalf, specify.
3. On the establishment of the Pension Fund, the Family Pension Scheme (hereinafter
referred to as the ceased Scheme) shall cease to operate and all assets of the ceased
Scheme shall vest in and shall stand transferred to, and all liabilities under the
ceased Scheme shall be enforceable against, the Pension Fund and the beneficiaries
under the ceased Scheme shall be entitled to draw the benefits, not less than the
benefits they were entitled to under the ceased Scheme, from the Pension Fund.
4. The Pension Fund shall vest in and administered by the Central Board in such
manner as may be specified in the Pension Scheme.
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5. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Pension Scheme may provide for all or
any of the matters specified in Schedule III.
6. The Pension Scheme may provide that all or any of its provisions shall take effect
either prospectively or retrospectively on such date as may be specified in that
behalf in that Scheme.
c. Employees’ Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme
1. The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, frame a
Scheme to be called the Employees’ Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme for the
purpose of providing life insurance benefits to the employees of any
establishment or class of establishments to which this Act applies.
2. There shall be established, as soon as may be after the framing of the
Insurance Scheme, a Deposit-Linked Insurance Fund into which shall be paid
by the employer from time to time in respect of every such employee in
relation to whom he is the employer, such amount, not being more than one
per cent of the aggregate of the basic wages, dearness allowance and retaining
allowance (if any) for the time being payable in relation to such employee as
the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.
3. The employer shall pay into the Insurance Fund such further sums of money,
not exceeding one-fourth of the contribution which he is required to make
under sub-section (2), as the Central Government may, from time to time,
determine to meet all the expenses in connection with the administration of
the Insurance Scheme other than the expenses towards the cost of any
benefits provided buy or under that Scheme.
4. The Insurance Fund shall vest in the Central Board and be administered by it
in such manner as may be specified in the Insurance Scheme.
5. The Insurance Scheme may provide for all or any of the matters specified in
Schedule IV.
6. The Insurance Scheme may provide that any of its provisions shall take effect
either prospectively or retrospectively on such may be specified in this behalf
in that Scheme.
Modification of Scheme
1. The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, frame a
Scheme to be called the Employees’ Deposit-Linked Insurance Scheme for the
purpose of providing life insurance benefits to the employees of any
establishment or class of establishments to which this Act applies.
2. There shall be established, as soon as may be after the framing of the
Insurance Scheme, a Deposit-Linked Insurance Fund into which shall be paid
by the employer from time to time in respect of every such employee in relation
to whom he is the employer, such amount, not being more than one per cent,
of the aggregate of the basic wages, dearness allowance and retaining
allowance (if any) for the time being payable in relation to such employee as the
Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.
3. The employer shall pay into the Insurance Fund such further sums of money,
not exceeding one-fourth of the contribution which he is required to make
under sub-section (2), as the Central Government may, from time to time,
determine to meet all the expenses in connection with the administration of the
Insurance Scheme other than the expenses towards the cost of any benefits
provided by or under that Scheme.
4. The Insurance Fund shall vest in the Central Board and be administered by it
in such manner as may be specified in the Insurance Scheme.
5. The Insurance Scheme may provide for all or any of the matters specified in
Schedule IV.
6. The Insurance Scheme may provide that any of its provision shall take effect
either prospectively or retrospectively on such date as may be specified in this
behalf in that Scheme.
d. Laying of Schemes before Parliament
Ever Scheme framed under section 5, section 6-A and section 6-C shall be
laid, as soon as may be after it is framed, before each House of parliament, while it
is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one
session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the
session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both
Houses agree in making any modification in the Scheme, or both Houses agree that
the Scheme should not be framed, the Scheme shall thereafter have effect only in
such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any
such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of
anything previously done under that Scheme.
Modification of Scheme
1. The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, add to,
amend or vary, either prospectively or retrospectively, the Scheme, the
Pension Scheme or the Insurance Scheme, as the case may be.
a. Determination of moneys due from employers
1. The Central Provident Fund Commissioner, any Additional Central Provident
Fund Commissioner, any Deputy Provident Fund Commissioner, any
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Provident Fund 12% Amount > 8.33% (in case where Nil
Scheme contribution is 12% or 10%)
10% (in case of certain
establishment as per details
given earlier)
has not been applied or for the purpose of determining whether the conditions
subject to which exemption was granted under section 17 are being complied
with by the employer in relation to an exempted establishment-
a) Require an employer or any contractor from whom any amount is recoverable
under section 8-A to furnish such information as he may consider necessary;
b) At any reasonable time and with such assistance, if any, as he may think fit,
enter and search any establishment or any premises connected therewith and
require any one found in charge thereof to produce before him for examination
any accounts, books, registers and other documents relating to the
employment persons or the payment of wages in the establishment;
c) Examine, with respect to any matter relevant to any of the purposes aforesaid,
the employer or any contractor from whom any amount is recoverable under
section 8-A, his agent or servant or any other person found in charge of the
establishment or any premises connected therewith or whom the Inspector
has reasonable cause to believe to be or to have been, an employee in the
establishment;
d) Make copies of, or take extracts from, any book, register or their document
maintained in relation to the establishment and, where he has reason to believe
that any offence under this Act has been committed by an employer, seize with
such assistance as he may think fit, such book, register or other document or
portions thereof as he may consider relevant in respect of that offence;
Penalties
1. Whoever, for the purpose of avoiding any payment to be made by himself under
this Act, the Scheme, the Pension Scheme or the Insurance Scheme or of
enabling any other person to avoid such payment knowingly makes or causes to
be made any false statement or false representation shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine of five
thousand rupees, or with both.
2. (1-A) An employer who contravenes, or makes default in complying with, the
provisions of section 6 or clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 17 in so far as it
relates to the payment of inspection charges, or paragraph 38 of the Scheme in
so far as it relates to the payment of administrative charges, shall be punishable
with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years but,
a) Which shall not be less than one year and fine or ten thousand rupees in
case of default in payment of the employees’ contribution which has been
deducted by the employer from the employees’ wages;
b) Which shall not be less than six months and a fine of five thousand rupees,
in any other case:
Provided that the Court may, of any adequate and special reasons to be
recorded in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a lesser term.
(1-B) An employer who contravenes, or makes default in complying with the
provisions of section 6-C, or clause (a) of sub-section (3-A) of section 7 in so far
as it relates to the payment of inspection charges, shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year but which shall not be
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less than six months and shall also be liable to fine which may extended to five
thousand rupees:
Provided that the Court, may for any adequate and special reasons to be
recorded in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for lesser term.
2. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Scheme, the Pension Scheme or the
Insurance Scheme may provide that any person who contravenes, or makes
default in complying with any of the provisions thereof shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may
extend to four thousand rupees, or with both.
a) Whoever contravenes or makes default in complying with any provision of
this Act or of any condition subject to which exemption was granted under
section 17 shall, if no other penalty is elsewhere provided by or under this
Act for such contravention or non-compliance, be punishable with
imprisonment which may extend to six months, but which shall not be less
than one month, and shall also be liable to fine which may extend to five
thousand rupees.
Offence by companies
1. If the person committing an offence under this Act, the Scheme or, the Pension
Scheme or the Insurance Scheme is a company, every person, who at the time
the offence was committed was in charge of, and was responsible to, the
company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the
company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be
proceeded against and punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such
person liable to any punishment, if he proves that the offence was committed
without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the
commission of such offence.
2. Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under
this Act, the Scheme or, the Pension Scheme or the Insurance Scheme has been
committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed
with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to, any neglect on the part
of, any director or manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such
director, manager, secretary or other officer shall be deemed to be guilty of that
offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
A. Certain offences to be cognizable
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898
(5 of 1898), am offence relating to default in payment of contribution by the
employer punishable under this act shall be cognizable.
B. Power to recover damages
Where an employer makes default in the payment of any contribution to the
Fund, the Pension Fund or the Insurance Fund or in the transfer of accumulations
required to be transferred by him under sub-section (2) of section 15 or sub-section
(5) of section 17 or in the payment of any charges payable under any other
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provision of this Act or of any Scheme or Insurance Scheme or under any of the
conditions specified under section 17, the Central Provident Fund Commissioner or
such other officer as may be authorized by the Central Government, by notification
in the Official Gazette, in this behalf may recover from the employer by way of
penalty such damages, not exceeding the amount of arrears, as may be specified in
the Scheme:
Provided that before levying and recovering such damages, the employer
shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard:
C. Power of Court to make orders
1. Where an employer is convicted of an offence of making default in the payment
of any contribution to the Fund, the Pension Fund or the Insurance Fund or in
the transfer of accumulations required to be transferred by him under sub-
section (2) of section 15 or sub-section (5) of section 17, the Court may, in
addition to awarding any punishment, by order in writing require him within a
period specified in the order (which the Court may, if it thinks fit and on
application in that behalf, from time to time, extend), to pay the amount of
contribution or transfer the accumulations, as the case may be, in respect of
which the offence was committed.
2. Where an order is made under sub-section (1), the employer shall not be liable
under this Act in respect of the continuation of the offence during the period or
extended period, if any, allowed by the Court, but if, on the expiry of such
period or extended period; as the case may be, the order of the Court has not
been fully complied with, the employer shall be deemed to have committed a
further offence and shall be punished with imprisonment in respect thereof
under section 14 and shall also be liable to pay fine which may extend to one
hundred rupees for every day after such expiry on which the order has not
been complied with.
Act not apply to certain establishments
1. This Act shall not apply,
a) To any establishment registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 (2
of 1912), or under any other law for the time being in force in any State
relating to co-operative societies, employing less than fifty persons and
working without the aid of power; or
b) To any other establishment belonging to or under the control of the Central
Government or a State Government and whose employees are entitled to the
benefit of contributory Provident Fund or old age pension in accordance with
any Scheme or rule framed by the Central Government governing such
benefits; or
c) To any other establishment set up under any Central, Provincial or State Act
and whose employees are entitled to the benefits of contributory provident
fund or old age pension in accordance with any Scheme or rule framed under
that Act governing such benefits;
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a. Transfer of accounts
1. Where an employee employed in an establishment to which this Act applies leaves his
employment and obtains re-employment in another establishment to which this Act
does not apply, the amount of accumulations to the credit of such employee in the
Fund, or as the case may be, in the Provident Fund of the establishment left by him
shall be transferred, within such time as may be specified by the Central
Government in this behalf, to the credit of his account in the Provident Fund of the
establishment in which he is re-employed, if the employee so desires and the rules in
relation to that Provident Fund permit such transfer.
2. Where an employee in establishment to which this Act does not apply leaves his
employment and obtains re-employment in another establishment to which this
Act applies, the amount of accumulations to the credit of such employee in the
Provident Fund of the establishment left by him may, if the employee so desires
and the rules in relation to such provident Fund permit, be transferred to the
credit of his account in the Fund or as the case may be, in the Provident Fund
of the establishment in which he is re-employed.
Protection of action taken in good faith
No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Central
Government, a State Government, the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal, any authority
referred to in section 7-A, an Inspector or any other person for anything which is in
good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act, the Scheme, the
Pension Scheme or the Insurance Scheme.
Delegation of powers
The appropriate Government may direct that any power of authority or
jurisdiction exercisable by it under this Act, the Scheme, the Pension Scheme or the
Insurance Scheme shall, in relation to such matters and subject to such
conditions, if any, as may be specified in the direction, be exercisable also,
a) Where the appropriate Government is the Central Government, by such officer
or authority subordinate to the Central Government or by the State
Government or by such officer or authority subordinate to the State
Government, as may be specified in the notification;
POWER TO MAKE RULES
1. The Central Government may, be notification in the Official Gazette, make
rules to carry out the provisions of this Act.
2. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may
provide for all or any of the following matters, namely,
a) The salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the
Presiding Officer and the employees of a Tribunal;
b) The form and the manner in which, and the time within which, an appeal
shall be filed before a Tribunal and the fees payable for filing such appeal;
c) The manner of certifying the copy of the certificate, to be forwarded to the
Recovery Officer under sub-section (2) of section 8-C; and
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d) Any other matter, which has to be, or may be, prescribed by rules under this Act.
Power to remove difficulties
1. If any difficult arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, as amended
by the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions
(Amendment) Act, 1988, the Central Government may, by order published in
the Official Gazette, make such provisions, not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for the
removal of the difficulty:
Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of a period of three years
from the date on which the said amendment Act receives the assent of the President.
2. Every order made under this section shall, as soon as may be after it is made,
be laid before each House of Parliament.
PAYMENT OF GRATUITY ACT - ESI
Gratuity is a kind of retirement benefit, like provident fund or pension. It is a
payment which is intended to help employee after his retirement whether the
retirement is the result of the rules of superannuation or of some physical
disability. The general principal underlying gratuity schemes is that by faithful
service over a long period the employee is entitled to claim a certain amount as
retirement benefit. Thus it is earned by an employee as a reward for long and
meritorious service.
The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, a long-awaited and progressive social
security measure, was passed by Parliament in August, 1972. The Act came into
force on 16th September, 1972. It was amended twice in 1984 and then in 1987.
The latest amended to the Act was made in 1998.
Prior to enactment of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 there was no Central
Act to regulate the payment of gratuity.
Short title, extent, application and commencement
1. This Act may be called the payment of gratuity act, 1972.
2. It extends to the whole of India:
Provided that insofar as it relates to plantations of ports, it shall not extend to
the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
3. It shall apply to,
a) Every factory, mine, oilfield, plantation, port and railway company;
b) Every shop or establishment within the meaning of any law for the time
being in force in relation to shops and establishments in a State, in which
ten or more persons are employed, or were employed, on any day of the
preceding twelve months;
c) Such other establishments or class of establishments, in which ten or more
employees are employed, or were employed, on any day of the preceding
twelve months, as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in
this behalf.
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4. It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by
notification appoint.
Definitions
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,
b) “appropriate Government” means,
i. In relation to an establishment,
a) Belonging to, or under the control of, the Central Government,
b) Having branches in more than one State,
c) Of a factory belonging to, or under the control of, the Central Government,
d) Of a major port, mine, oilfield or railway company, the Central Government,
ii. In any other case, the State Government;
c) “Completed year of service” means continuous service for one year;
d) “Continuous Service” means continuous service as defined in section 2-A;
e) “Controlling authority” means an authority appointed by the appropriate
Government under section (3);
f) “Employee” means any person (other than an apprentice) employed on wages, in
any establishment, factory, mine, oilfield, plantation, port, railway company or
shop, to do any skilled, semi-skilled, or unskilled, manual supervisory,
technical or clerical work, person is employed in a managerial or administrative
capacity, but does not include any such person who holds a post under the
Central Government or a State Government and is governed by any other Act or
by any rules providing for payment of gratuity.
g) “Employer” means, in relation to any establishment, factory, mine, oilfield,
plantation, port, railway company or shop,
i. Belonging to, or under the control of, the Central Government or a State
Government, a person or authority appointed by the appropriate Government
for the supervision and control of employees, or where no person or authority
has been so appointed, the head of the Ministry or the Department concerned,
ii. Belonging to, or under the control of, any local authority, the person
appointed by such authority for the supervision and control of employees or
where no persons has been so appointed, the chief executive officer of the local
authority,
iii) In any other case, the person, who, or the authority which, has the ultimate
control over the affairs of the establishment, factory, mine , oilfield, plantation,
port, railway company or shop, and where the said affairs are entrusted to any
other person, whether called a manager, managing director or by any other name,
such person;
h) “Factory” has the meaning assigned to it clause (m) of section 2 of the Factories
Act, 1948 (63 of 1948);
i) “Family”, in relation to an employee, shall be deemed to consist of
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i. In the case of a male employee, himself, his wife, his children, whether
married or unmarried, his dependent parents and the dependent parents of
his wife and the widow and children of his predeceased son, if any,
ii. In the case of a female employee, herself, her husband, her children, whether
married or unmarried, her dependent parents and the dependent parents of
her husband and the widow and children of her predeceased son, if any:
j) “Retirement” means termination of the service of an employee otherwise than on
superannuation;
k) “Superannuation”, in relation to an employee, means the attainment by the
employee of such age as is fixed in the contract or conditions of service as the
age on attainment of which the employee shall vacate the employment;
l) “Wages” means all emoluments which are earned by an employee while on duty
or on leave in accordance with the terms and conditions of his employment and
which are paid or are payable to him in cash and includes dearness allowance
but does not include any bonus, commission, house rent allowance, overtime
wages and any other allowance.
Controlling authority
The appropriate Government may, by notification, appoint any officer to be a
controlling authority, who shall be responsible for the administration of this Act
and different controlling authorities may be appointed for different areas.
Payments of gratuity
1. Gratuity shall be payable to an employee on the termination of this employment
after he has rendered continuous service for not less than five years,-
a) On his superannuation, or
b) On his retirement or resignation, or
c) On his death or disablement due to accident or disease:
Provided that the completion of continuous service of five years shall not be
necessary where the termination of the employment of any employee is due
to death or disablement:
2. For every completed year of service or part thereof in excess of six months, the
employer shall pay gratuity to an employee at the rate of fifteen days’ wages based
on the rate of wages last drawn by the employee concerned:
Provided that in the case of a piece-rated employee, daily wages shall be computed
on the average of the total wages received by him for a period of three months
immediately preceding the termination of his employment, and, for this purpose,
the wages paid for any overtime work shall not be taken into account:
Provided further that in the case of an employee who is employed in a seasonal
establishment and who is not so employed throughout the year, the employer shall
pay the gratuity at the rate of seven days’ wages for each season.
3. The amount of gratuity payable to an employee shall not exceed three lakhs and
fifty thousand rupees.
4. For the purposes of computing the gratuity payable to en employee who is
employed, after his disablement, on reduced wages, his wages for period preceding
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his disablement shall be taken to be the wages received by him during that period,
and his wages for the period subsequent to his disablement shall be taken to be
the wages as so reduced.
5. Nothing in this section shall affect the right of an employee to receive better terms
of gratuity under any award or agreement or contract with the employer.
6. Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1),
a) The gratuity of an employee, whose services have been terminated for any
act, willful omission or negligence causing any damage or loss to, or
destruction of, property belonging to the employer, shall be forfeited to the
extent of the damage or loss so caused;
b) The gratuity payable to an employee may be wholly or partially forfeited-
i. If the services of such employee have been terminated for his riotous or
disorderly conduct or any other act of violence on his part, or
ii. If the services of such employee have been terminated for any act which
constitutes an offence involving moral turpitude, provided that such offence
is committed by him in the course of his employment.
Compulsory Insurance
1. With effect from such date as may be notified by the appropriate Government in
this behalf, very employer, other than an employer or an establishment belonging
to, or under the control of, the Central Government or a State Government, shall,
subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), obtain an insurance in the manner
prescribed, for his liability for payment towards the gratuity under this Act, from
the Life Insurance Corporation of India established under the Life Insurance
Corporation of India Act, 1956 (31 of 1956) or any other prescribed insurer:
Provided that different dates may be appointed for different establishments or for
different areas.
2. The appropriate Government may, subject to such conditions as may be
prescribed, exempt every employer who had already established an approved
gratuity fund in respect of his employees and who desires to continue such
arrangement, and every employer employing five hundred or more persons who
establishes an approved gratuity fund in the manner prescribed from the
provisions of sub-section (1).
3. For the purpose of effectively implementing the provisions of this section, every
employer shall within such time as may be prescribed get his establishment
registered with the controlling authority in the prescribed manner and no
employer shall be registered under the provisions of this section unless he has
taken an insurance referred to in sub-section (1), or has established an approved
gratuity fund referred to in sub-section (2).
4. The appropriate Government may, by notification, make rules to give effect to the
provisions of this section and such rules may provide for the composition of the
Board of Trustees of the approval gratuity payable to an employee from the Life
Insurance Corporation of India or any other insurer with whom an insurance has
been taken under sub-section (1), ors as the case may be, the Board of Trustees
of the approved gratuity fund.
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4. For the purpose of conducting an inquiry under sub-section (4), the controlling
authority shall have the same powers as are vested in a Court, while trying a suit,
under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), in respect of the following
matters, namely:-
a) Enforcing the attendance of any person or examining him on oath;
b) Requiring the discovery and production of documents;
c) Receiving evidence on affidavits;
d) Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses.
5. Any inquiry under this section shall be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of
sections 193 and 228, and for the purpose of section 196, of the Indian Penal Code
(45 of 1860).
6. Any person aggrieved by an order under sub-section (4) may, within sixty days
from the date of the receipt of the order, prefer an appeal to the appropriate
Government or such other authority as may be specified by the appropriate
Government in this behalf:
Provided that the appropriate Government or the appellate authority, as the case
may be, may, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause
from preferring the appeal within the said period of sixty days, extend the said
period by a further period sixty days.
7. The appropriate Government or the appellate authority, as the case may be, may
after giving the parties to the appeal a reasonable opportunity of being heard,
confirm, modify or reverse the decision of the controlling authority.
Inspectors
1. The appropriate Government may, by notification, appoint as many Inspectors,
as it deems fit, for the purposes of this Act.
2. The appropriate Government may, by general or special order, define the area to
which the authority on an Inspector so appointed shall extended and where two
or more Inspectors are appointed for the same area, also provide, by such order,
for the distribution or allocation of work to be performed by them under this Act.
3. Every Inspector shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of
section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
Powers of Inspectors
1. Subject to any rules made by the appropriate Government in this behalf, an
Inspector may, for the purpose of ascertaining whether any of the provisions of this
Act or the conditions, if any, of any exemption granted there under, have been
complied with, exercise all or any of the following powers, namely:
a) Require an employer to furnish such information as he may consider
necessary;
b) Enter and inspect, at all reasonable hours, with such assistant (if any), being
persons in the service of the Government or local or any public authority, as he
thinks fit, any premises of or place in any factory mine, oilfield, plantation, port,
railway company, shop or other establishment to which this Act, applies, for the
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State; and (iii) major ports, mines, oil fields and the railways. The appropriate
Government may, by notification, appoint any officer to be a controlling authority,
who shall be responsible for the administration of this Act and different controlling
authorities may be appointed for different areas.
The Employees State Insurance Act 1948
Statement of objects and reasons
1. The introduction of a scheme of Health Insurance for industrial workers has been
under the consideration of the Government of India for a long time. The necessity
for such a scheme has become more urgent in view of the conditions brought
about by war. The scheme envisaged as one of compulsory State Insurance
providing for certain benefits in the event of sickness, maternity and employment
injury to workmen employed in or in connection with the work in factories other
than seasonal factories.
2. A scheme of this nature has to be planned on all-India basis and administered
uniformly throughout the country. With this object, the administration of the
scheme is proposed to be entrusted to a Corporation constituted by central
legislation.
3. The functions of the Corporation will be performed by a Central Board constituted
of representatives of Central and Provincial Governments, and of employers,
workers and the medical profession. The board will also include certain members
elected the Central Legislative Assembly. A standing Committee of the board will
act as the Executive of the board, and Medical Benefit council will also be set up to
advise on matters relating to the administration of Medical benefit.
4. The insurance fund will be mainly derived from contributions from employers
and workmen. The contributions payable in respect of each workers will be based
on his average wages and will be based on his average wages and will be payable
in the first instance by the employer. The employer will be entitled to recover the
workman’s share from the wages of the workmen concerned. Workmen whose
earnings do not exceed 10 annas a day will be totally exempt from payment of
any share of the contribution on account of such workmen being met by the
employer. Provision has been made for the preparation of proper budgets and the
audit of accounts.
5. The insured workmen will be entitled to the following benefits:
a) Sickness Cash Benefit A workman, if certified sick and incapable of
working, will receive for a period of not exceeding 8 weeks in any
continuous 12 monthly period, a cash allowance equal approximately to
half average daily wages during the previous six months. He will also
entitled to receive medical care and treatment at such hospitals,
dispensaries or other institutions to which the factory in which he is
employed may be allotted.
b) Maternity Benefit Women workers will be entitled to receive a maternity
benefit at 12 annas a day for 12 weeks. They will also be entitled to medical
aid at the aforesaid medical institutions.
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iii) a child who is wholly dependent on the earnings of the insured person and
who is
a) receiving education, till he or she attains the age of twenty-one years,
b) an unmarried daughter;
iv) a child who is infirm by reason of any physical or mental abnormality or
injury and is wholly dependent on the earnings of the insured person, so
long as the infirmity continues;
v) dependent parents;
10. “Factory” means any premises including the precincts thereof,
a) whereon ten or more persons are employed or were employed for wages on
any day of the preceding twelve months, and in any part of which a
manufacturing process is being carried on with the aid of power or is
ordinarily so carried on, or
b) whereon twenty or more persons are employed or were employed for wages
on any day of the preceding twelve months, and in any part of which a
manufacturing process is being carried on without the aid of power or is
ordinarily so carried on, but does not include a mine subject to the
operation of the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952) or a railway running shed;
11. “Immediate employer”, in relation to employee employed by or through him, means
a person who has undertaken the execution, on the premises of a factory or an
establishment to which this Act applies or under the supervision of the principal
employer or his agent, of the whole or any part of any work which is ordinarily part
of the work of the factory or establishment of the principal employer or is
preliminary to the work carried o in, or incidental to the purpose of, any such
factory or establishment, and includes a person by whom the eservices of an
employee who has entered into a contract of service with him are temporarily lent
or let on hire to the principal employer and includes a contractor;
a) “insurable employment” means an employment in a factory or establishment to
which this Act applies;
12. “Insured person” means a person who is or was an employee in respect of whom
contributions are or were payable under this Act and who is, by reason thereof,
entitled to any of the benefits provided by this Act;
a) “managing agent” means any person appointed or acting as the
representative of another person for the purpose of carrying on such other
person’s trade or business, but does not include an individual manager
subordinate to an employer;
i) “manufacturing process” shall have the meaning assigned to it in the
Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948);
b) “miscarriage” means expulsion of the contents of a pregnant uterus at any
period prior to or during the twenty-sixth week of pregnancy but does not
include any miscarriage, the causing of which is punishable under the
Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860);
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13. “Occupier” of the factory shall have the meaning assigned to it in the Factories Act,
1948 (63 of 1948);
a) “permanent partial disablement” means such disablement of a permanent
nature, as reduces the earning capacity of an employee in every
employment which he was capable of undertaking at the time of the
accident resulting in the disablement;
b) “permanent total disablement” means such disablement of a permanent
nature as incapacitates an employee for all work which he was capable of
performing at the time of the accident resulting in such disablement:
Provided that permanent total disablement shall be deemed to result from every
injury specified in Part I of the Second Schedule on from any combination of
injuries specified in Part II thereof where the aggregate percentage of the loss of
earning capacity, as specified in the said Part II against those injuries, amounts to
one hundred per cent. or more;
c) “power” shall have the meaning assigned to it in the Factories Act, 1948 (63
of 1948);
14. “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
15. “principal employer” means-
i) in a factory, the owner or occupier of the factory and includes the managing
agent of such owner or occupier, the legal representative of a deceased owner
or occupier, and where a person has been named as the manager of the
factory under the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948), the person so named;
ii) in any establishment under the control of any department of any
<
injury, temporarily incapable of doing the work which he was doing prior to or at
the time of the injury;
20. “wages” means all remuneration paid or payable, in cash to an employee, if the
terms of the contract of employment, express or implied, were fulfilled and includes
any payment to an employee in respect of any period of authroised leave, lock-out,
strike which is not illegal or lay-off and other additional remuneration, if any paid
at intervals not exceeding two months, but does not include-
a) any contribution paid by the employer to any pension fund or provident
fund, or under this Act;
b) any travelling allowance or the value of any travelling concession;
c) any sum paid to the person employed to defray special expenses entailed on
him by the nature of his employment; or
d) any gratuity payable on discharge;
21. “wage period” in relation to an employee means the period in respect of which
wages are ordinarily payable to him whether in terms of the contract of
employment, express or implied or otherwise;
Corporation, standing committee and medical benefit council
Establishment of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation
1. With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification in
the Official Gazette, Official Gazette, appoint in this behalf, there shall be
established for the administration of the scheme of Employees’ State Insurance
in accordance with the provisions of this Act a Corporation to be known as the
Employees’ State Insurance Corporation.
2. The Corporation shall be a body corporate by the name of Employees’ State
Insurance Corporation having perpetual succession and a common seal and
shall by the said name sue and be sued.
Constitution of Corporation
The Corporation shall consist of the following members, namely:
a) a Chairman to be appointed by the Central Government;
b) a Vice-Chairman to be appointed by the Central Government;
c) not more than five persons to be appointed by the Central Government;
d) one person each representing each of the States in which this Act is in force to be
appointed by the State Government concerned;
e) one person to be appointed by the Central Government to represent the Union
territories;
f) ten persons representing employers to be appointed by the Central Government
in consultation with such organizations of employers as may be recognized for
the purpose by the Central Government;
g) ten persons representing employees to be appointed by the Central Government
in consultation with such organizations of employees as may be recognized for
the purpose by the Central Government;
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2. The Corporation may accept grants, donations and gifts from the Central or
any State Government, local authority, or any individual or body whether
incorporated or not, for all or any of the purposes of this Act.
3. Subject to the other provisions contained in this Act and to any rules or
regulations made in this behalf, all moneys accruing or payable to the said
Fund shall be paid into the Reserve Bank of India or such other bank as may
be approved by the Central Government to the credit of an account styled the
account of the Employees’ State Insurance Fund.
4. Such account shall be operated on by such officers as may be authorised by
the Standing Committee with the approval of the Corporation.
Budget estimates
The Corporation shall in each year frame a budget showing the probable
receipts and the expenditure which it proposes to incur during the following year
and shall submit a copy of the budget for the approval of the Central Government
before such date as may fixed by it in that behalf. The budget shall contain
provisions adequate in the opinion of the Central Government for the discharge of
the liabilities incurred by the Corporation and for the maintenance of a working
balance.
Accounts
The corporation shall maintain correct accounts of its income and expenditure in
such form and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
Audit
1. The accounts of the Corporation shall be audited annually by the Comptroller
and Auditor-General of India and any expenditure incurred by him in
connection with such audit shall be payable by the Corporation to the
Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
2. The Comptroller and Auditor-India and any person appointed by him in
connection with the audit of the accounts of the Corporation shall have the
same rights and privileges and authority in connection with such audit as the
Comptroller and Auditor-General has, in connection with the audit of
Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the right to demand the
production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and
papers and to inspect any of the officers of the Corporation.
3. The accounts of the Corporation as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-
General of India or any other person appointed by him in this behalf together
with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded to the Corporation which
shall forward the Central Government along with its comments on the report
of the Comptroller and Auditor-General.
Annual report
The corporation shall submit to the Central Government an annual report its
work and activities.
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Budget, audited accounts and the annual report to be placed before Parliament
The annual report, the audited accounts of the Corporation, together with the
report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India thereon and the comments
of the Corporation on such report under section 34 and the budget as finally
adopted by the Corporation shall be placed before Parliament.
Valuation of assets and liabilities
The Corporation shall, at intervals of five years, have a valuation of its assets
and liabilities made by a valuer appointed with the approval of the Central
Government:
Provided that it shall be open to the Central Government to direct a valuation
to be made at such other times as it may consider necessary.
Contributions
Method of payment of contribution
Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Corporation may make regulations for
any matter relating or incidental to the payment and collection of contributions
payable under this Act and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing
power such regulations may provide for,
a) the manner and time of payment of contributions;
b) the payment of contributions by means of adhesive or other stamps affixed to or
impressed upon books, cards or otherwise and regulating manner, times and
conditions in, at and under which, such stamps are to be affixed or impressed;
c) the entry in or upon books or cards of particulars of contributions paid and
benefits distributed in the case of the insured persons to whom such books or
cards, relate; and
d) the issue, sale custody, production, inspection and delivery of books or cards and
the replacement of books or cards which have been lost, destroyed or defected.
Employers to furnish returns and maintain registers in certain cases
1. Every principal and immediate employer shall submit to the Corporation or to
such officer of the Corporation as it may direct such returns in such form and
containing such particulars relating to persons employed by him or to any
factory or establishment in respect of which he is the principal or immediate
employer as may be specified in regulations made in this behalf.
2. Where in respect of any factory or establishment the Corporation has reason to
believe that a return should have been submitted under sub-section (1) but has
not been so submitted, the Corporation may require any person in charge of the
factory or establishment to furnish such particulars as it may consider
necessary for the purpose of enabling the Corporation to decide whether the
factory or establishment is a factory or establishment to which this Act applies.
3. Every principal and immediate employer shall maintain such registers pr
records in respect of his factory or establishment as may be required by
regulations made in this behalf.
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3. A person shall be entitled to medical benefit during any period for which
contributions are payable in respect of him or in which he is qualified to claim
sickness benefit or maternity benefit or is in receipt of such disablement benefit as
does not disentitle him to medical benefit under the regulations:
Provided that a person in respect of whom contribution ceases to be payable
under this Act may be allowed medical benefit for such period and of such nature
as may be provided under the regulations:
Provided further that an insured person who ceases to be in insurable
employment on account of permanent disablement shall continue, subject to
payment of contribution and such other conditions as may be prescribed by the
Central government, to receive medical benefit till the date on which he would
have vacated the employment on attaining the age of superannuation had he not
sustained such permanent disablement:
Provided also that an insured person, who has attained the age of superannuation,
and his spouse shall be eligible to receive medical benefit subject to payment of
contribution and such other conditions as may be prescribed by the Central
Government.
Scale of medical benefit
1. An insured person and (where such medical benefit is extended to his family) his
family shall be entitled to receive medical benefit only of such kind and on such
scale as may be provided by the State Government or by the Corporation, and an
insured person or, where such medical benefit is extended to his family, his family
shall not have a right to claim any medical treatment except such as is provided
by the dispensary, hospital, clinic or other institution to which he or his family is
allotted, or as may be provided by the regulations.
2. Nothing in this Act shall entitle an insured person and (where such medical
benefit is extend to his family) his family to claim re-imbursement from the
Corporation of any expenses incurred in respect of any medical treatment, except
as may be provided by the regulations.
Provision of medical treatment by State Government
1. The State Government shall provide for insured persons and (where such benefit
is extended to their families) their families in Stage, reasonable medical, surgical
and obstetric treatment:
Provided that the State Government may, with the approval of the Corporation,
arrange for medical treatment at clinics of medical practitioners on such scale and
subject to such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon.
2. Where the incidence of sickness benefit payment to insured persons in any State
is found to exceed the all-India average, the amount of such excess shall be
shared between the Corporation and the State Government in such proportion as
may be fixed by agreement between them:
Provided that the Corporation may in any case waive the recovery of the whole or
any part of the share which is to be borne by the Stage Government.
3. The Corporation may enter into an agreement with a State Government in regard
to the nature and scale of the medical treatment that should be provided to
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insured persons and (where such medical benefit is extended to the families) their
families (including provision of buildings, equipment, medicines and staff) and for
the sharing of the cost thereof and of any excess in the incidence of sickness
benefit to insured persons between the Corporation and the State Government.
Benefits not to be combined
1. An insured person shall not be entitled to receive for the same period-
a) both sickness benefit and maternity benefit; or
b) both sickness benefit and disablement benefit for temporary disablement; or
c) both maternity benefit and disablement benefit for temporary disablement.
2. Where a person is entitled to more than one of the benefits mentioned in sub-
section (1), he shall be entitled to choose which benefit he shall receive.
Repayment of benefit improperly received
1. Where any person has received any benefit or payment under this Act when he is
not lawfully entitled thereto, he shall be liable to repay to the Corporation the
value of the benefit or the amount of such payment, or in the case of his death his
representative shall be liable to repay the same from the assets of the deceased, if
any, in his hands.
2. The value of any benefits received other than cash payments shall be determined
by such authority shall be final.
3. The amount recoverable under this section may be recovered as if it were an
arrear of land-revenue or under section 45-C to section 45-I.
Benefit payable up to and including day of death
If a person dies during any period for which he is entitled to a cash benefit
under this Act, the amount of such benefit up to and including the day of his death
shall be paid to any person nominated by the deceased person in writing in such
form as may be specified in the regulations or, if there is no such nomination, to
the heir or legal representative of the deceased person.
Employer not to reduce wages, etc
No employer by reason only of his liability for any contributions payable under
this Act shall, directly or indirectly, reduce the wages of any employee, or except as
provided by the regulations, discontinue or reduce benefits payable to him under
the conditions of his service which are similar to the benefits conferred by this Act.
Employer not to dismiss or punish employee during period of sickness, etc
No employer shall dismiss, discharge, or reduce or otherwise punish an
employee during the period the employee is in receipt of sickness benefit or
maternity benefit, nor shall he, except as provided under the regulations, dismiss,
discharge or reduce or otherwise punish an employee during the period he is in
receipt of disablement benefit for temporary disablement or is under medical
treatment for sickness or is absent from work as a result of illness duly certified in
accordance with the regulations to arise out of the pregnancy or confinement
rendering the employee unfit for work.
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b) which shall not be less than six month, in any other case and shall also be
liable to fine of five thousand rupees:
c) Provided that the Court may, for any adequate and special reasons to be
recorded in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a lesser term;
ii. where he commits an offence under any of the clauses (b) to (g) (both
inclusive), with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with
fine which may extend to four thousand rupees, or with both.
Offence by companies
1. If the person committing an offence under this Act is company, every person,
who at the time the offence was committed was in charge of, and was
responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as
well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be
liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any person
liable to any punishment, if he proves that the offence was committed without
his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission
of such offence.
2. Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under
this Act has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is
attributable to, any neglect on the part of, any director or manager, secretary or
other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer
shall be deemed to be guilty of that offence shall be liable to be proceeded
against and punished accordingly.
24.4 REVISION POINTS
The employee’s Provident Fund and miscellaneous provisions Act 1952, was
introduced for the benefit of the employees’ working in the factories and their family
members.
After framing the scheme as soon as possible a fund the provisions of this Act
and the scheme as such. The provisions of this Act apply to 173 industries and the
categories of establishments which employ 20 or more persons such as
establishments engaged in manufacturing, marketing, use of a computer and
servicing or deriving any output.
The ESI Act is extended in area wise to Factories using power and employing
10 or more persons and to non power using manufacturing units establishments
employing 20 or more persons upto Rs.10,000/- month.
a) The act is coverage for drawing wages upto Rs.16,000/- month engaged either
directly or through contractor.
The benefits include medical, sickness, funeral expenses and rehabilitation
allowance. The contribution period is from 1st April to 30 September and 1st
October to 31st march.
The payment of Gratuity Act is applicable to every factory, mine, oil field,
plantation, port, railways, company, shop, establishment or educational
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347 EN 230
ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY PRESS : 2017 – 2018
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