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Labour Welfare Statutory Overview
Labour Welfare Statutory Overview
Labour welfare activity in India was largely influenced by humanitarian principles and
legislations. Before the introduction of welfare and other legislation in India, the conditions of
labour were miserable .Exploitation of child labour, long hours of work, bad situation, and
absence of safety measures were the features of factory life.
Before Independence:
The movement improves the working conditions of Indian labour started with the
passing of the first Indian factories act in 1881.
The Mulock commission was appointed by the government of Bombay in 1884 to
review the working of the factories act 1881. The factories (amendment) act,1891 was
passed as a result of the recommendations of the Bombay factory commission of 1884
and the factory labour commission of 1890. It is applied to all factories employing 50
persons or more.
The government of India appointed a commission in 1907 to study the working
condition of labour in the industry and make recommendations of this commission.the
indian factories act 1911 was made applicable also to seasonal factories working for
less than 4 months in a year.
In the mean while, voluntary action in the field of labour welfare also made
considerable progress.group efforts came to the forefornt.
The establishment of the international labour organisation in 1919 was another
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 . the
formation of AITUC (1920), the first central trade union organisation in our
country,also helped in furthering the cause of welfare movement.
After Independence:
After independence, the labour welfare movement accquired new dimensions. It was
realised that labour welfare had a positive role to pay in increasing productivity and
reducing industrial tensions. The state began to realize its social responsibilities
towards weaker sections of the society. The emergence of different central trade union
organisation gave a further flip to the growth of labour welfare movement.
The factories act of 1949 came into effect from 1st April 1949. It is a comprehensive
piece of legislation.
Various labour welfare activities were incorporated in different five year plan.
The first five year plan (1951-56) paid considerable attention to the welfare of
the working classless.
During the second five year plan (1956-61) the importance of better working
conditions has been progressively recognized.
The third five year plan (1961-66) stressed the need for more effective
implementations of various statutory welfare provisions.
The fourth five year plan (1969-74) provided for the expansion of employees
state insurance scheme to cover medical facilities to the families of insured
persons.
The fifth five year plan (1974-79) also laid down programmes for labour
welfare.
The sixth plan (1980-85) gave importance in extending coverage of the
employee‟s state insurance scheme, PF and family pension scheme.
The seventh five year plan (1985-90) gave importance for working and living
conditions of unorganized labour.
The eighth five year plan (1992-97) laid stress on strategic improvements in
the quality of labour, productivity , skills and working conditions.
In ninth five year plan (1997-2002) the planning process attempts to create
conditions for improvement in labour productivity and for provision of social
security.
In the field of labour welfare the government is now playing a crucial role.
--- N.M.JOSHI.
According to committee on labour welfare “All such facilities and amenities as adequate
canteen ,rest and recreation facilities , sanitary & medical facilities , arrangement for travel
to and from the accommodations of workers employed at the distance from their home and
social security measures are all known as labour welfare”.
1. Humanitarian Aspect: It enables the workers to enjoy a healthy ,full and richer
life style and to improve his efficiency through good health.
2. Economic Aspect: To provide the workers with the basic amenities of life, so
that he could maintain himself & his members of family in a proper way.
2) Central Government: A no. of acts has passed by the central government for the
welfare of the workers. There is also an implementation and administration of
industrial and labour laws. Appointment of welfare officer is made compulsory.
3) State Government: The state government runs various health centers and
educational centers for the welfare of employees. State governments have the
power to implement the provisions of various laws, appoint appropriate authority
etc. They keep a strict vigil on employers as well.
4) Trade Unions: The various trade unions are supposed to raise the welfare of the
workers and are expected to provide certain welfare facilities to their members.
There are varieties of trade unions running in our country. They offer
educational, sports cultural facilities etc. to their members. However their role is
being impaired by the political involvement.
1. Industrial backwardness.
2. Low level of health and nutrition.
3.Lack of recreation.
4. Extreme poverty.
5. Problems of absentiseem and migration.
6.Illiteracy.
STATUTORY WELFARE ACTIVITIES
OR
Sec 44- Facilities for sitting [to provide rest b/w work periods]
Sec 45- First aid appliances (150 workers are employed one first aid box. If more than
500 are employed ambulance room.)
Sec 46- Canteen (250 employees canteen is must, which supplies good and nutrious
food at subsidized rate.)
Sec 47- shelters, rest rooms, lunch rooms (150 workers suitable shelters of restroom
and lunch room with drinking water facilities, adequate shelter and restrooms should
be provided.)
Sec 48: Crèches (if an organization is having more than 30 women workers crèche
should be provided for children under age group 6.)
Sec 49: welfare officer (Any factory having 500 or more workers, State government
may prescribe the duties, qualifications and conditions of service of welfare officer.)
1) Intra-Mural Activities
2) Extra-Mural Activities
Intra –Mural activities are all those amenities and services which have been provided by the employers,
inside the factory.
Extra –Mural activities are all those amenities and services which have
been provided by the employers, outside the factory.
INTRA- MURAL ACTIVITIES EXTRA- MURAL ACTIVITIES
Washing and Bathing Housing.
8. Worker’s clubs
Merits of Welfare Measures:
10. Provide Security To The Employees Against Social Risks Like Old Age
As A Matter of Right: Employees and their family members feel that they
have legal rights to get welfare measures. Therefore employees sometimes
may not be satisfied.