Here is an essay on ‘Labour Welfare’ for class 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essays on ‘Labour Welfare’ especially written for school and college students.
Essay # 1. Labour Welfare Work by Central Government:
In 1947, International Labour Organisation laid down the frameworks of labour welfare and also spelt out the services and amenities which should be included in this framework. These services related to the provision of canteens, rest and recreation facilities, sanitary and medical facilities, arrangements for travel to and from works and such other amenities add facilities as may contribute to improve the conditions under which the workers are employed.
With a clear guidance of what should normally be provided under welfare amenities to workers, from this highest organisation of labour in the world, the framers of Indian constitution also paid due attention to the amelioration of the working class of the country. The Indian constitution has made a specific mention of the duties that the state owes to the labour, to their economic upliftment and social re-generation.
However, even before the adaption and promulgation of the constitution, the base of the labour welfare amenities had been laid down. The Factories Act, 1948, provided for certain essential welfare services. For the provision of medical and health facilities to workers outside the work place, a comprehensive legislation in the shape of the Employees State Insurance Act was brought into being in 1948.
The Central Government policy in the field of law has been to bring matters connected with workers welfare more and more within the purview of legislation setting appropriate standards. The Factories Act, 1948, the Plantations Labour Act, 1951 and the Mines Act, 1952, are basic enactments which contain elaborate provisions for safeguarding the health and safety of workers inside the work place and for providing for their welfare.
They lay down minimum standards for ensuring welfare of workers. Penal provisions in these Acts can be taken recourse to by the competent authority in the event of contravention of lapses on the part of employers. The Government of India also has set up Labour Welfare Funds to provide welfare amenities for the workers employed in coal, mica, iron ore, manganese ore, limestone and dolomite mines and in the Beedi and Cinema industries.
Separate welfare funds have also been formed for specified services like Posts & Telegraphs, Ports, Dockyards, and Railways etc. The welfare measures financed out of the funds relate to provision of medical, housing drinking water, educational, recreational and family welfare facilities, etc. While most of the activities are administrated directly by the Welfare Organisations under the Ministry of Labour, Loans and subsidies are also provided to the State Governments.
The provision of social security in the form of Employees’ State Insurance Scheme, provident fund, gratuity and pension under various laws and industrial housing schemes are some of the other prominent measures undertaken by the Central Government to promote welfare of the working class.
The Factories Act, 1948:
The legislation relating to factories was, however, extensively revised and consolidated by a comprehensive Factories Act, 1948, to ensure adequate safety measures and to promote the health and safety of the workers employed in the factories.
It lays down specific welfare measures to be undertaken by the employers such a washing facilities, first aid appliances, canteens, rest shelters and creches and seating arrangements for workers. It empowers the State Governments to make rules for factories to provide suitable places to keep the workers clothing and for the drying of wet clothing.
The State Governments are empowered to make rules for the appointment of the Labour Welfare Officers in the factories employing 500 or- more workers. The Act also empowers State Governments to make rules regarding the representatives of the workers to be associated with the management for making labour welfare arrangements.
Besides, the Government of India introduced a scheme to finance non-statutory welfare-activities in industrial undertakings owned and controlled by the Government of India in 1946. The scheme, however, did not cover railway establishments and major ports.
A fund was also built up from voluntary contributions of the workers, Government Grants, receipts from fines, rebates from contractors, profit of canteens and yield from cinema shows, dramas, entertainment and so on, all together built up a fund which provided the finance for the implementation of this scheme.
Legislation for Plantation Industry:
Before the First Five Year Plan could give its findings and directions in the matter of labour policy, including Labour welfare besides Factories Act, 1948, another comprehensive enactment was placed on the anvil of legislation for plantation workers, viz., the Plantation Labour Act, 1951. The Plantation Labour Act applies to tea, coffee and rubber and cinchona plantations.
The Plantation Labour Act, 1951, makes provision for the health and welfare of the plantation workers. It makes provision for housing, medical aid, recreational and educational facilities in accordance with the rules framed by State Governments.
The workers are entitled to sickness allowance and maternity allowance under the prescribed conditions.
The planters who are employing more than 150 workers are required to provide and maintain canteens. The creches are to be maintained in plantation where more than 50 women workers are employed. The employers are also required to make effective arrangements for supply of whole some drinking water and protective clothing to the workers. There are also provisions for worker children.
Legislation for Mines:
Legislation Mining Industry started from closing years of the last century. The earlier enactments were, however, aimed only at regulating labour conditions and safety in mines. These acts were amended from time to time with a view to reinforcing and also expanding the scope of earlier provisions.
The Mines Act of 1952, inter alia, contains provisions for health, safety and welfare. Elaborate provisions have been made in the Act for safe-guarding the health and safety of workers and promoting their welfare. Every mine, to which the Act applies, is required to make arrangement for supply of wholesome drinking water to workers, maintain first-aid boxes, construct required number of latrines and urinals and also maintain first-aid room with suitable equipments.
Though comprehensive, the Act did not break new ground, since it paid more attention to safety measures and provision of medical facilities in the nature of first-aid rather than any comprehensive medical aid to workers.
The Mica Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1946:
The Mica Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act was enacted in 1946. This Act provides for the raising of a fund by the levy of an ad valorem custom duty on all mica exported from the country upto a maximum rate of 6% per cent. The fund so collected or the amount so collected will be utilised for financing the labour welfare works in the mica mining.
The Central Government is authorised under the Act to constitute advisory committees, not exceeding one for each State, to advise on any matter on the administration of the Act. The members of the committee are to be appointed by the Central Government. The committees are to include an equal number of the members representing the mica mine workers and owners and at least one member to be a lady and another member of the State Legislature concerned.
The Fund was constituted in 1946 and is financed through a levy of a cess. The Fund has established, hospitals, dispensaries, mobile medical units and maternity and child welfare centres. Till 1957, the Fund has established, seven hospitals, thirty four dispensaries, eight mobile medical units and seventeen maternity and child welfare centres.
It has also set up nine multi-purpose institutes, eight community centres, nine women welfare centres, twelve primary schools, twelve feeder centres, seven boarding homes/hostels, four mobile cinema units and eighty five radio centres. Workers’ children are provided mid-day meals, milk- snacks, stationery articles and also grants for scholarships and tution fees.
The Coal Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1947:
The Coal Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act was enacted in 1947. The Act is applicable to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. It provides, inter-alia for the setting up of a fund called the Coal Mines Labour Housing and General Welfare Fund. The fund is raised on the basis of a cess levied on the dispatch of all coal and coke.
This fund is utilised to defray the cost of welfare measures such as medical, educational, housing, recreational, etc. for benefit of labour employed in coal mines. The Fund is administered by the Central Government in consultation with the Tripartite Advisory Committee.
The Act provides for the setting up a Coal mines Labour Housing Board to undertake housing activities. A Coal Mines Labour Welfare Commissioner has been appointed for the administration of the Act. The rate of cess per metric ton is 75 paise and the amount collected in the fund in 1978 was about Rs. 700 lakhs.
Coal Mines Labour Welfare Fund:
The fund provides medical, educational, housing and drinking water facilities to the workers. The Fund has established two well- equipped central hospitals with all modern facilities for specialized treatment.
Recently, one more central hospital has also been constructed. In 1967, eleven regional hospitals were functioning for the treatment of some cases requiring hospitalization. The fund is also running several dispensaries, mobile medical units, maternity and child welfare centres.
Adult education and feeder adult education centres are run by the Fund in many coal fields. Scholarship is awarded for general and technical education of miners’ children. Besides tution fees, grants-in-aids are paid to schools. For mines whose children are reading in schools away from their residences, a children education allowance is given.
Recreation facilities are provided in a number of Miners’ institutes. Co-operative stores, primary stores and credit societies have been organised by the Fund for the benefit to the workers.
Financial assistance, at prescribed rates, is given under the Coal Mines Fetal and Serious Accidents Benefit Scheme in cases of death and permanent disability due to accidents in Coal Mines.
Several holiday homes are being run by the Fund. Tours are organised to different parts of the country to enlarge the outlook of the workers on current developments.
The Iron-ore Mines Labour Welfare Cess Act, 1961:
The Working Group set up in 1956, surveyed Iron-ore Mines and found that unsatisfactory labour conditions are prevailing in iron- ore mines. The working group recommended that a Welfare Fund financed by special cess should set up on the pattern of the Coal Mines Labour Welfare Fund or the Mica Mines Labour Welfare Fund.
The Tripartite Industrial Committee on mines other than coal at its meeting held in April 1961 also agreed with the above proposal. Thus, the Iron Ore Mines Welfare Cess Act was enacted in 1961 on the pattern of the Coal Mines Labour Welfare Fund and came into force in 1963.
It provides for the levy and collection of a cess on iron-ore for financing welfare amenities to workers employed in iron- ore mines. The proceeds of the cess will constitute a fund which will be administered by an organisation similar to Coal Mines Labour Welfare Fund Organisation. The Central Government may appoint Inspectors, Welfare Administrators and such officer and staff as it thinks necessary, for the enforcement of the Act.
Iron-Ore Mines Labour Welfare Fund:
It is financed through levying of cess on iron-ore. Small hospitals arid mobile ambulance-cum-medical units and mobile dispensaries have been established by the Fund. Beds have been reserved in T.B. Hospitals run by State Governments and other agencies. Scholarships are granted to school going children of workers.
A number of multipurpose institutes have been set up. A holiday home is run for providing recreational facilities. Excursion-cum-study tours are also arranged by the Fund. Apart from these, the employers have to arrange accommodation for stores, free of rent or nominal rent, and give other facilities such as free supply of furniture and electricity. But, the adequate progress has not been made in setting up such shops.
The Merchant Shipping Act, 1948:
The Merchant Shipping Act, 1923 was amended in 1948 to provide welfare measure for seamen. There are also provisions for the appointment of sea-men’s welfare officers at ports where necessary. It also empowers the Government to constitute an advisory board to be known as the National Welfare Board for sea workers to advise the Government on the measures to-be taken for the promotion of welfare of the workers.
The Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1948:
It empowers the Central Government in case of major ports and the State Governments in other cases to frame schemes which may provide medical treatment, educational recreational facilities and other welfare activities to Dock workers through Dock Labour Boards.
Railways:
The railways also maintain hospitals and well equipped dispensaries for medical treatment of railway workers and their families. There are also maternity and child welfare centres.
Welfare Work in Five Year Plans:
The First Five Year Plan paid considerable attention to labour problems including welfare of the working class. Commenting on Labour, the Plan stated that labour problems should be approached from two angles, the welfare of the working class and the country’s economic stability and progress. The basic needs of the workers for food, clothing and shelter must be satisfied.
He should also enjoy improved health services, wider provision of social security, better educational opportunities and increased recreational and cultural facilities. The conditions of work should be such as to safeguard his health and protect him against occupational and other hazards. He should be treated with consideration by the management and he should have access to impartial machinery if he fails to get a fair deal.
Thus, the First Five Year Plan laid emphasis on development of welfare amenities, avoidance of disputes and creating mutual goodwill and understanding and constitution of joint committees of representatives of employers and workers to understand each other better. The Plan also laid emphasis on strict enforcement of the existing legislative measures.
A Central Labour Institute, with regional offices, was set up to conduct scientific studies on various aspects of industrial management and development with particular emphasis on human and safety aspect of industry.
The various social security measures and other enactments which have namely the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948 and Employees Provident Fund Act, 1952, Mines Act and Coal Mines (conservation and safety) Act, were brought into being during the course of the First Five Year Plan.
The First Plan also saw the success of joint consultation at various levels which too had its impact on the provision of welfare amenities.
In the states also, various new enactments were undertaken. Among these special mention may be made of the Bombay Labour Welfare Fund Act 1953 and the Assam Tea Plantation Scheme Act, 1955.
The Second Five Year Plan emphasised the importance of better working conditions and industrial housing. Greater stress was laid on the creation of industrial democracy in which a worker should realise that he was a part and parcel of the industrial apparatus that was to usher in socialistic pattern of society.
In the context of welfare measures to worker employed in smaller establishments, the Second Plan said that, “In case of smaller establishments facilities may be provided jointly.”
It also recommended legislation to regulate working conditions for workers employed in construction industry and transport services.
The Second Plan also emphasised on the welfare measures for women workers and stressed that greater attention should be paid to them for protection against injurious work, for provision of maternity benefits and for opening of creches for children.
It has been observed that the welfare activities have been extended during the Second Five Year Plan. The coverage of Employees State Insurance Scheme was also extended to cover more workers. A comprehensive scheme known as Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Scheme was drawn up in 1961. The Assam Tea Plantations Employees Welfare Fund Act, 1959, came into force in June 1960.
Study Team on Labour Welfare:
In December, 1951, a Study Team on Labour Welfare was appointed to examine the range of labour welfare activities to be adopted in the Third Five Year Plan; the Study Team broadly divided labour welfare amenities into three main groups.
(i) Amenities and facilities that may be provided inside undertakings.
(ii) Facilities to be provided outside undertakings.
(iii) Social Security Measures.
Third Five Year Plan:
The recommendations of the Study Team set the pace for the formation of the labour policy in the Third Five Year Plan. The Third Plan also stressed the need for more effective implementation of statutory welfare provisions. It recommended that the improvement of the working conditions could result in greater productive efficiency on the part of the workers.
Regarding welfare funds, the Plan observed that, special welfare funds have been constituted for financing welfare measures for workers in the coal and mica mining industries. In the context of subsidised Industrial Housing Scheme, the Third Plan observed that, the present approach to the problem has been found to be wholly inadequate and new ways will have to be devised immediately so that the workers may be assured of minimum standards in respect of living conditions within a reasonable period in the interest of their health and efficiency.
Towards the same end, facilities for recreation and sports will have to be greatly enlarged for all sections of workers.
Besides, the Plan also emphasised the need for providing living and working conditions in the case of agricultural labour and workers in unorganised industry. Greater emphasis was placed on collective bargaining and on mutual agreements for improving industrial relation, with a view to reducing disparities in regard to maternity benefits in the existing State Acts; a Central Maternity Benefit Act was also enacted.
Fourth Five Year Plan:
The Draft Fourth Five Year plan (1969-74) provides for the expansion of E.S.I, facilities to families of all insured workers. It recommended covering the shops and commercial establishments in selected centres as also non-power factories employing ten or more persons. The programmes for welfare centres, holidays homes are recreational centres were included in State Plans.
The workers education is proposed to be re-organised in the light of the experience gained so far. The industrial safety, Health and Hygiene Division of the Central and Regional Labour Institutes were proposed to be strengthened. Stress was laid on strengthening labour administration for better enforcement of labour laws.
The Fifth Five Year Plan:
In context of labour welfare, the Fifth Five Year Plan laid stress on the setting up of labour welfare centres and promoting safety measures. It also laid emphasis on increasing the activities of the Employees State Insurance Scheme.
Besides, in pursuance of the policies initiated in the Plans, a welfare fund for manganese mines was created. Some States passed legislation for constituting a Welfare Fund out of the fines imposed by employers, unclaimed wages and the like. But, the attempts were successfully challenged in the court by the employers, and for sometimes, alternative arrangements had to be made for running the welfare activities. Several State Plans made provision for labour welfare, but they did not make much headway.
The Sixth Five Year Plan:
The Sixth Five Year Plan also laid stress on the welfare facilities. It enlarged the scope and responsibility welfare facilities. Thus, the Sixth Plan stated, “working conditions include not only wage structure, fixing of minimum wage and- protection of income, but also the fixing of working hours, periods of rest paid holidays provision of creches for children”. Today, safety includes not only protection of workers against accidents at work but also against occupational diseases.
The Sixth Plan placed the responsibility of safety of industrial workers upon the State Governments. It means that the State Governments have to see that the industrial workers have been provided with adequate measures of safety. The responsibility of safety in ports and docks and in mines, including oil fields, has been placed upon the Central Government. The responsibility of safety in mines has been placed upon the Director General of Mines Safety.
The Sixth Plan also laid emphasis for extending the measures to protect the safety and health of workers engaged in agriculture and forestry.
Eighth Five Year Plan:
Adequate level of earning, safe and humane conditions and access to some minimum social security benefits are the major qualitative dimensions of employment which enhance the quality of life of workers and their productivity. Institutional mechanisms exist for ensuring these to workers in organised sector of economy.
Essay # 2. Labour Welfare Work by Worker Organisations:
A few workers organisations are also engaged in welfare work for the industrial employees. The most important among them are the Textile Labour Association, Ahmedabad and the Steel Employees Welfare Association (SEWA) of Bhilai Steel Plant.
SEWA is implementing a scheme for the social security of its members by providing financial assistance to the families of deceased members and to the members themselves in case of medical unfitness, prolonged sickness, retirement, resignation, termination, etc. All employees of the Bhilai Steel Plant are ipso facto members of SEWA unless he/she desired to remain out of it and gave it in writing.
In case of death of a member due to any cause anywhere, an amount of Rs. 10,000 is paid to the nominee. In case of retirement/resignation/termination/transfer/removal, etc., a member is entitled to SEWA benefit as per the prescribed slab rate based on number of years of membership. The slab ranges between Rs. 200 to Rs.5,000. The greater the period of membership, the higher the rate of payment.
In case of termination on permanent unfitness, a benefit ranging from Rs.2,000 to Rs.7,000 is given to the member depending upon the year in which his services are terminated. The benefit increases by Rs. 500 for each succeeding year.
In case of prolonged sickness, a member who has undergone treatment in BSP Hospital, or any other hospital referred to by BSP is entitled to SEWA benefit of Rs. 300 per month, up to a maximum of six months in one spell, if there is no leave at his credit.
“The trade unions can play an important role in the sphere of labour welfare. The British Trade Union Congress Delegation observed that, welfare work has its uses, provided it is completely controlled by workers themselves.” But, in this country, a few of them have undertaken welfare work on any considerable scale.
The contribution of the Textile Labour Association, Ahmedabad in organising labour welfare activities has been very impressive. Its work has been described as a model in the field of Labour Welfare Work. It actively participates in intra-mural as well as extra-mural welfare activities. The TLA spends a fair share of its income on welfare facilities.
According to the Report of Welfare Committee 1969, which is popularly known as Malviya Committee, it spends 60 per cent to 80 per cent of its income on welfare activities. It has undertaken the problem of slum areas with the help of over 250 Volunteers, who were trained for this work, which covers the problem of community life as well. A survey of 19 chawls was undertaken, with special reference to the conditions of housing, drainage, bathrooms, water-supply, diet, health needs, street lighting, children’s education, indebtedness, rights and obligation of citizens.
As a result of this survey, SEVA Mandals for different localities were established and Mohalla Sahayata Funds were started. A volunteer was in-charge of each group of ten families. These volunteers, including 25 inspectors and lady workers, maintained day to day contact with them and found out where they needed help.
In the field of education, the TLA has made astounding contribution. When it was found that children in many localities were not receiving any education, volunteers persuaded parents, to send their children to school. It runs 3 day and night schools, a residential boarding house for working class girls; 2 study homes for boys, 69 reading rooms and libraries, adult education classes, and vocational training, in tailoring, and has offered scholarship as well. It has also established 27 physical culture and social centres and 14 gymnasia and maintains playgrounds.
A survey revealed the fact that many localities were unclean and sanitation in those areas was very poor. In these areas, the TLA assisted families in keeping houses clean, and attended to environmental sanitation.
To minimise the workers heavy expenditure on health, the volunteers persuaded the sick to avail themselves of the facilities in dispensaries. At present, the TLA run five dispensaries—one Allopathic, one Homoeopathic and three Ayurvedic in different localities. It also maintains a maternity home.
With Janta Insurance Policies and other programmes to relieve workers from poverty and unemployment, the TLA encouraged smalls saving among the workers.
It has started Workers Cooperative Bank to which workers are attached as consumer societies, many credit societies and also a number of workers housing cooperative societies.
It has built some tenements and given them workers on a hire purchase basis. It keeps anti-social elements under control and propagates prohibition. It organises prayers and readings from religious books, festivals and film shows and the Celebration of national days.
Welfare Work by Workers’ Organisation:
Besides, The Textile Labour Association runs a number of reading rooms and libraries in working class localities. It also runs typewriting classes in working class localities. In the same way, women training courses in sewing, embroidery, etc., were being conducted.
Vaccination of the children against tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, whooping-cough and tetanus are carried out. Sports, excursions, competitions and various other cultural programmes are also organised. A few pre-nursery schools are maintained by the association.
There are a number of Consumer’s cooperative stores and co-operative credit societies run by the Association for the workers. The workers had constructed houses under the co-operative bank scheme from where they could get loans repayable in easy installments.
It provides legal help to worker-members when they are involved in industrial disputes, and train them in trade unionism and citizenship.
It publishes the Majon Sandesh, a bi-weekly paper. All these programmes, carried out at 12 predominantly labour residential areas, have now resulted in the Ahmedabad Urban Community Development programme.
Finally, the Malviya Committee Report on welfare said that, the following figures speak the creditability of the TLA’s welfare activities. The Association maintained 22 centres for training women in handicrafts; two study homes and one hostel for girls; five nursery schools; 16 welfare centres for the children; 39 consumers cooperative stores; 59 cooperative credit societies; 193 housing societies among the working classes, under the Cooperative Housing Scheme, the worker had constructed 1089 houses during the year 1970-71.
In Indore, the Mill Mazdoor Union runs labour welfare centres consisting of Bal Kanya and Mahila Mandirs. It organises music, dances, and social gatherings. In the Bal Mandir (Children Section) education is offered and games are organised. In the Kanya Mandir (Girls Section), importance is attached to elementary education, tailoring, knitting, spinning training in hygiene and care of children.
The Mahila Mandir also gives such lessons and trainings to women workers. Besides night classes, a reading room and a library are provided by the union.
The Railmen’s Union has organised Cooperative Societies. It has provided funds for contingencies like retirement, death, unemployment, sickness, etc. It also provides funds for life insurance and legal defence.
The Mazdoor Sabha of Kanpur has also done some work in the field of labour welfare. It has maintained a reading room, a library and also a dispensary for the workers. It organises social and cultural gatherings.
The Indian Federation of Labour has organised, nearly 48 Labour welfare centres which undertake different types of welfare activities. It organises social and cultural gatherings. It organises indoor and outdoor games, medical, educational and recreational facilities through labour welfare centres.
Now, other workers organisations are also taking interest in this aspect of workers life outside the factory. The TLA itself has expanded its work with a view to encourage the spirit of self-help and co-operation among workers families. Thrift is being encouraged by providing banking facilities.
The National Commission on Labour Pointed out that Similar Works are also done in plantations. The Commission also pointed out that educational/cultural programme is increasingly becoming a part of the activities of well organised unions.
Essay # 3. Labour Welfare by Voluntary Organisations:
There are voluntary social service organisations which have taken interest in providing labour amenities to the workers.
The Bombay Social Service League, started by servants of Indian Society, conducted several activities, like promotion of education through night schools, libraries, recreation and sports. It has also secured compensation for accidents to workers; propagate the cooperative movement, promoted public health and the boy scouts movement etc.
The Poona and Bombay, Seva Sadan Societies have taken keen interest in providing educational, medical and social services to the women and children. They have also trained social workers for this purpose.
In Bengal Women’s Institute has established Mahila Samities, which visit various villages and carry on educational and public health work.
In Assam, the Government has continued the policy of encouraging the activities of voluntary Organisations like Hindustan Mazdoor Sevak Sangh and Assam Seva Samity for social, moral and economic welfare of the workers.
Besides, the Y.M.C.A., the Bombay Presidency Women’s Council, the Maternity and Infant Welfare Association, the Depressed classes Mission Society are some of the voluntary social services agencies which have taken interest in the welfare work for industrial workers.
These agencies have made significant contribution in improving the standard of living and working conditions of the workers and have made efforts in raising the minimum standards prescribed by law.
The voluntary social service agencies can play a more significant role in the better administration and utilisation of welfare services made available by the Government. The proper operation of statutory provisions relating to welfare can only be ensured by a strong public opinion, which in turn can be created by sustained efforts of voluntary organisations.
Essay # 4. An Assessment of Labour Welfare Activities:
The Committee on Labour Welfare pointed out that the statutory welfare amenities have not been properly and adequately provided, except in units managed by progressive employers or in the modern units where the technology of production requires maintenance of adequate welfare standards.
In several cases, particularly in medium and small sized units, the standards are distinctly poor arrangements for drinking water and first-aid boxes and up keep and maintenance of conservancy services are not satisfactory in these units.
Workers Organisations have been invariably critical of the situations in which the legislation has been implemented by employers and supervised by the inspectorate. In many cases, though the letter of the law may have been observed, the spirit behind it is completely missing.
Employers have not seriously challenged this contention, but have argued that these amenities:
(i) Have caused a heavy financial burden on the industry, and
(ii) Where provided, have either remained un-utilised or are improperly utilised by the workers.
However, in this context the Committee on Labour Welfare said that ‘of the latter, there is some evidence but the former cannot be an argument to deny facilities which are absolutely necessary to meet the minimum human needs in the current social milieu.’ Thus, there is need to extend the coverage of statutory welfare amenities, but should be done only after proper administrative arrangements can be made to ensure implementation.
In respect of ports and docks, one Committee, appointed by the Government of India 1964, came to the conclusion that facilities available to the workers were inadequate and even those limited facilities were not maintained properly nor were they used by the workers with the needed care.
To have a proper assessment of the implementation of statutory welfare provisions in factories, the Committee on Labour Welfare requested the State Governments to conduct special studies on a separate basis.
With regard to sanitation, washing facilities, first aid appliances, ambulance rooms, drinking water, canteens, shelters, rest rooms and creches, the National Commission on Labour said that, “our general impression is that the compliance with the statutory welfare provisions is half-hearted and inadequate.” It is thus obvious that the arrangement in respect of the above said facilities are not adequate. Moreover, managements are reluctant to invest funds in the construction of standard type creches.
In Mines ambulance vans have not been provided, though they are required to do so. In plantations, the position is equally unsatisfactory though some of the better organised estates have provided a high standard of welfare amenities.
The National Commission on Labour, however, observed that in some of the new factories, the standards were as good as could be expected. The observance of the spirit of the law was very much there. This does not mean that conditions in respect of welfare facilities are satisfactory. There are some centres where to secure drinking water for workers; a threat of direct action was required to bring the employer round.
It has also been seen that workers are misusing facilities provided to them. According to a report prepared by the Directorate General of Factory Advice Service and Labour institute’s points out that missing tape, missing lights and misuse of furniture are some of the difficulties mentioned by the management.
To quote international experience in the area of welfare is only to indicate how far we have yet to go to reach the desired standards. In advance countries, many facilities which we seek to provide under the statutory compulsion are taken for granted as part of everyday life.
Moreover, workers organisations do not have to seek such facilities nor does the employer wait for a demand from them or, for that matter state intervention. For instance, instance in several countries, with their current level of affluence, transport presents no problem. But where it is, many units do provide transport facilities to workers engaged by them.