Classical economics and all micro-economics labour is one of four
factors of production, the others being land, capital and enterprise. It
is a measure of the work done by human beings. There are macro-economic system
theories which have created a concept called human capital (referring to the
skills that workers possess, not necessarily their actual work), although there
are also counterpoising macro-economic system theories that think
human capital is a contradiction in terms.
The term welfare suggests the state of well being and implies
wholesomeness of the human being. It is a desirable state of existence
involving the mental, physical, moral and emotional factor of a person Adequate
levels of earnings, safe and humane conditions of work and access to some
minimum social security benefits are the major
qualitative dimensions of employment which enhance quality of life of workers
and their productivity. Institutional mechanisms exist for ensuring these to
workers in the organized sector of the economy.
These are being strengthened or
expanded to the extent possible. However, workers in the unorganized sector,
who constitute 90 per cent of the total workforce, by and large, do not have
access to such benefits. Steps need to be taken on a larger scale than before
to improve the quality of working life of the unorganized workers, including
women workers.
Labour welfare is the key to smooth employer-employee relations. In
order to increase labour welfare, Employers offer extra incentives in the form
of labour welfare schemes, and to make it possible to pursued workers to accept
mechanization. Sometimes the employers to combat the influence of outside
agencies on their employees use labour welfare as a tool to minimize the effect
they may have on the labour. Labour welfare measures are also initiated with
the view to avoiding payment of tax on surplus and to build up at the same time
better relations with employees.
DEFINITION OF LABOUR WELFARE
Labour welfare has been defined in various ways, though no single
definition has found universal acceptance.
The Oxford dictionary defines labour welfare as "Efforts to make
life worth living for workmen."
Chambers dictionary defines welfare as "A state of faring or doing
well and conceptually freedom from calamity, enjoyment of health and
prosperity“.
Thus, the whole field of welfare is said to be one "in which much
can be done to combat the sense of frustration of the industrial workers, to
relieve them of personal and family worries, to improve their health, to afford
them means of self expression, to offer them some sphere in which they can
excel others and to help them to a wider conception of life". It promotes
the well-being of workers in variety of ways.
SCOPE OF LABOUR WELFARE ACTIVITIES
Labour welfare Activities is combinations of various steps, the
cumulative effect of which is to grease the wheels of industry and society.
Sound industrial relations can only be based on human relations and good human
relations dictate that labour being, human being should be treated humanly
which includes respect for labour dignity, fair dealing and concern for the
human beings physical and social needs. In any industry good relations between
the management and workers depend upon the degree of mutual confidence, which can
be established. This, in turn, depends upon the recognition by the labour of
the goodwill and integrity of the organisation in the day to day handling of
questions which are of mutual concern.
The basic needs of a labour are freedom from fear, security of
employment and freedom from want. Adequate food, better health, clothing and
housing are human requirements. The human heart harbours secret pride and
invariably responds to courtesy and kindness just as it revolts to tyranny and
fear. An environment where he is contended with his job assured of a bright
future and provided with his basic needs in life means an atmosphere of good
working condition and satisfaction to labour.
Labour welfare activities are based on the plea that higher productivity
requires more than modern machinery and hard work. It requires co-operative
endeavour of both the parties, labour and management. This is possible only
when labour is given due importance and human element is taken into account at
every stage.
The worker has a fund of knowledge and experience at his job. If rightly
directed and fully used, it would make a great contribution to the prosperity
of the organization. This can only be achieved through satisfaction of the
labour as the worker feels that he is an active participant in the production
process, and he does at most for increasing the production and its
productivity.
OBJECTIVES OF LABOUR WELFARE ACTIVITIES
· The object of welfare activities is to promote economic
development by increasing production and productivity. The underlying principle
is to make the workers given their loyal services ungrudgingly in genuine
spirit of co-operation, in return for obligations, voluntary and compulsory,
accepted by the employee towards the general well-being of the employees.
· Improving the efficiency of the labour is another objective of
labour welfare activities. Efficiency gives double reward, one in the form of
increased production and the other in the shape of higher wages due to achievement
of higher productivity. Welfare activities add to their efficiency and
efficiency in turn help the worker to earn more wages. Therefore, welfare
activities in an organization are twice blessed. It helps the employer and the
employee both.
· Another objective of welfare activities is to secure the labour
proper human conditions of work and living. Working conditions of organization
may be led by an artificial environment which features are dust, fumes, noise,
unhealthy temperature, etc. It is generally found that these conditions impose
strain on the body.
· The welfare activities are done to minimize the hazardous effect
on the life of the workers and their family members. It is the duty of the
employer to see these human needs. If welfare activities are viewed in this
light, it can be seen that they are guided by purposes of humanitarian and
social justice.
· The next objective of welfare activities is to add in a real way
to the low earning of the labour. The facilities are provided to supplement the
income of the workers by services such as housing, medical assistance, school,
co-operative, canteens, stores, play grounds etc.
Thus, the objective of activities are to promote greater efficiency of
the workers, assure proper human conditions to the workers and their family
members, supplement their wages in monetary teams, give more real wages and
foster better industrial relations.
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