SOP TRANSACTIONS ON ECONOMIC RESEARCH

ISSN(Print): 2372-3246 ISSN(Online): 2372-3254

VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2, JUNE 2014

SOP TRANSACTIONS ON ECONOMIC RESEARCH

Study of Labour Problems and Provide

Welfare
Pratima Bais*
Dr. C. V. Raman University, Kota Bilaspur(C.G.)-India.
*Corresponding author: pratimasingh78@gmail.com

Abstract:
A participatory planning process is an essential pre-condition for ensuring equity as well as
accelerating the rate of growth of economy. In order to address the concerns of equity in a
sustainable manner it is necessary to ensure significant improvements in the quality of labour,
productivity, skill development and working conditions, and to provide welfare and social security
measures particularly, to those in the unorganized sector. Further, it is also necessary to ensure
that all adult persons looking for work are employed at levels of productivity and income, which
are necessary to afford them a decent life. A significant proportion of workers presently earn
below the subsistence wages. Another unfortunate facet of labour markets is the persistence of
child labour and woman labour which must be eradicated in the shortest possible time.
Keywords:
Social Security, Labour Welfare

1. INTRODUCTION
The working condition of labour at work place is not satisfactory in India. Workers are always in
frustration and motivation level of workers is not good. As we know that man is by nature an organic
system not a mechanical one. The input of energy such as food, water etc are converted by him into
outputs of behavior. His behavior is determined by relationship between his characteristics as organic
system and the environment in which he moves. Motivation is positively correlated with concepts of level
of aspiration, degree of comfort he gets at work place.
It is rightly said that you can buy a mans time, you can buy a mans physical presence at a given
place but you cant buy his enthusiasm, initiative and loyalty. The management thus has to maintain
such environment at work place so that worker may perform his duties willingly. It is possible only if
management fulfill labours, Physiological needs, Social needs, Esteem needs, Monetary needs, Fatigue
compensation, Security and safeguard needs, Health maintenance, Promotion and development needs,
Recognition of work expectations, Psychological needs. These all needs are taken care with the labour
welfare concept is said to be the concern of management [13].

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SOP TRANSACTIONS ON ECONOMIC RESEARCH

1.1 Child Labour

Theexistence of child labour in hazardous industries is a great problem in India. Non-availabilityof
accurate, authentic and up-to-date data on child labour has been major handicap in planned
intervention for eradication of this social evil. Efforts are underway in the Ninth Plan tomodify and
improve the existing National Child Labour Project. A major activity undertakenunder this scheme is
the establishment of special schools to provide non-formal education,vocational training, supplementary
nutrition, stipends, health care, etc. to children withdrawnfrom employment in hazardous industries.

1.2 Woman Labour

The Ministry of Labour has set up a Women Labour Cell in 1975. The intentionwas to focus attention
on the lot of working women with a view to improving it. TheGovernment has enacted the Equal
Remuneration Act, 1976. The Women Cell has beencreated in the Ministry to monitor implementation of
this Act. A Central AdvisoryCommittee has been set up to advise the Government on providing increasing
employmentopportunities for women. Similarly, State Advisory Committee has been constituted tomonitor
the Act at the State level. The Cell also gives grants-in-aid to voluntaryorganisations to carry out research
studies on problems of women workers, theiremployability and the extent of their displacement on
account of technological and variousother changes. This scheme was introduced with the intention of
furthering Governmentspolicy of helping women to become aware of their rights and opportunities and
also tobecome economically independent.

1.3 Labour Welfare

The improvement of labour welfare and increasing productivity with reasonable level of social security
is one of the prime objectives concerning social and economic policy of the Government. The resources
have been directed through the Plan programmes towards skill formation and development, monitoring of
working conditions, creation of industrial harmony through infrastructure for health, industrial relations
and insurance against disease, accident and unemployment for the workers and then families. The situation
of surplus labour and workers in the unorganised segment of the economy give rise to unhealthy social
practices such as bonded labour, child labour and adverse working conditions. In the year 1999, Workmen
Compensation Act has been revised to benefit the workers and their families in the case of death/disability.
The labour laws enforcement machinery in the States and at the Centre are working to amend the laws
which require changes, revise rules, regulations orders and notifications [46].

2. IMPORTANCE OF LABOUR WELFARE IN INDIA THAN ANY OTHER

COUNTRY
India has much greater need and importance of labour welfare than any other country. There are certain
deficiencies in Indian labour force those are not found in other countries. It is because of those defects
and deficiencies the importance of labour welfare activity in our country has been very much.
Following are the reasons:
Labourunion movement education:
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Study of Labour Problems and Provide Welfare

V.V. Giri National Labour Institute, a fully funded autonomous body of theMinistry of Labour, conducts
action-oriented research and provides training to grass rootlevel workers in the trade union movement, both
in the urban and rural areas, and also toofficers dealing with industrial relations, personal management,
labour welfare, etc.
1. Dynamics of Labour Market: Kearla.
2. Women and labour Market.
3. Labour laws, contractual parameters and conditions of construction workers.
4. Adverse sex ratio and female labour force participation.
5. Wage determination in rural labour force markets.
6. Information on requirements for rural labour.
The following study was however of utmost significance Study on payment of wages wholly in kind
and perceptions regarding Modeof payment: A study in selected States. This Study was undertaken
inpursuance of directions of the Committee of Secretaries at a meeting held on1.4.99 for the purpose of
amendment to the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 [7].
Illiteracy:
As compared with other countries, the percentage of educated workers is very low, most of them being
illiterate. Consequently, they are not in a position to receive advanced industrial training, understand the
problems in industries their own interests and those of nation as a whole. This can prove a source of harm
not only to the workers but also to the country.
Workers Education:
The Central Board of Workers Education through its regional offices is striving toeducate the workers to
help to avoid wasteful expenditure, adopting cost effectiveness and byenhancing productivity of qualitative
nature. They have been conducting the following programmes:
1. Rural Awareness Programme.
2. Functional Adult Literacy Classes.
3. Short-term programmes for the unorganised sector to educate them on their rights, ethics and
hygiene.
4. Participative Management.
5. Orientation Courses for Rural Educators.
6. Leadership Development Programme for Rural Workers.
Social Security:
There are also laws enacted and schemes established by the Central/State Governments providing for
social security and welfare of specific categories of working people. The principal social security laws
enacted centrally are the following:
1. The Workmens Compensation Act, 1923.
2. The Employees State Insurance Act, 1948.

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SOP TRANSACTIONS ON ECONOMIC RESEARCH

3. The Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1953.

4. The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
5. The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.
Problem of Absenteeism and Migration:
Compared to the workers of other countries the Indian laborer is more restless and does tendentious
towards frequent migration because life in the town does not provide for his needs, and the atmosphere in
general does not suit him. Also due to inadequate level of wages the laborer cannot comfortably settle
down in one place. This may in turn also give rise to Absenteeism. This workers migratory tendency can
be curbed by providing him with adequate facilities and conditions, and this also shows a positive effect
over the absenteeism in the factory.
Low Level of Health, Nutrition and Healthy Recreation:
The Indian worker as compared with his counterpart in most European countries is unhealthy and
confined with illness. This shows a definite affect over the production potential. Hence, he is very great
need of inexpensive nutritive food and good facility in case of hospitalization.
Healthy recreation is also at a priority in our country, the efficiency of labour force is diminished by
energy being employed in all kinds of undesirable channels. Hence, it is essential that recreation and
enjoyment of a healthy kind be provided.
Extreme Poverty and Lack of Training:
The percentage of people under the poverty line in our country is comparatively high than other
countries. So the standard of living is very low. An Indian workers is unable to provide with a healthy
living for his family and in the case of female workers she is not provided with assistance in case of need.
Hence, the labour welfare has much to do in the country. It must assist them by providing with them
maternity benefits, in old age i.e., provident fund, pensions and gratuity etc.
As the percentage of trained workers in India is very low, it is necessary to have training facilities for
such a vast labour force.
Industrial Backwardness of India:
In India, industrial progress is being aimed through the medium of the five year plans, but industrial
progress is dependent on the efficiency of the labour force. The welfare work motivates the workers and
maintains efficiency and productivity. So, we can say that the importance of these activities is great for
India in comparison to western countries.
As welfare of worker at work place will improve not only their efficiency but also improve their
willingness to perform their duty involving themselves with in duty [8].

3. CONCLUSION
In India, most of the industries are not using Welfare concept properly at their workplace. In India
industrialists compel workers to work in uncomfortable/ adverse conditions. Their uncomfortable
conditions lead to serious damages to worker. Therefore maintenance of labour welfare concept is
must in the identity premises
1. Welfare concept helps to maintain heath and skills.
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Study of Labour Problems and Provide Welfare

2. Welfare concept avoids exploitation of worker by employer.

3. Welfare concept increases the happiness of worker.
4. Welfare concept motivates the workers at work place.
5. Welfare concept is the silent incentives.

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]

K. N. Vaid, Labour welfare in India. Shri Ram Centre for Industrial Relations, 1970.
T. Bhagoliwala, Economics of Labour and Industrial Relations, 1981.
I. L. Institute, Labour law and labour relations. Indian Law Institute.
A. Sarma, Aspects of labour welfare and social security. Himalaya Publishing House, 2008.
J. P. Sharma, Labour Laws. Bharat Law House Private, Limited, New Delhi., 2009.
A. Sarma, Welfare of Unorganised Labour. Himalaya Publishing House, 2008.
S. Punekar, Labour welfare, trade unionism and industrial relations. Himalaya Publishing House,
2003.
[8] V. V. Giri, Labour problems in Indian industry. Asia Publishing House London, 1972.

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