LABOUR WELFARE

Welfare in Indian Industry implies the provision of medical and educational services, a congenial work atmosphere etc., The need for providing such services and facilities arises from the social responsibility of industry, a desire for upholding democratic and a concern for employees the encyclopedia of social science defines labour welfare as the voluntary efforts of the employees to establish within the existing industrial system, working and some times living and cultural conditions of the employees beyond that which is required by law, the custom of industry and the condition of market. The report of the committee of labour welfare set up by the Government of India. In 1969 refers to welfare as a broad concept a condition of well being, it speeds of measures, which “Promote the physical psychological and general well being of the working population”.

Labour welfare includes provisions of various facilities and amenities in and around the work place for the better life of the workers. It comprise all human efforts the work place for the better life of the worker. It comprises all human efforts of body and mind, which is exchanged for combination in terms of cash or kind or both. With the growth of industrialization and mechanization, it has acquired added importance. the worker ,both in industry and agriculture, cant cope with the pace of modern life with minimum sustenance amenities.

Welfare is a board concept, referring to a condition of living of an individual or group, in desirable and happy state of relationship with the whole

environment-ecological, economical and social. Ecological welfare means environmental friendly existence, ecological balance, pollution free existence and proper sanitation. Social welfare is the prevention of discrimination based on cast, creed, sex, establishment of equity and fairness, ensuring safety heath and social security.

DEFINITION OF LABOUR WELFARE

The Oxford dictionary defines Labour Welfare as “efforts to make life worth living for workmen”. According to N.M. Joshi, Welfare work “covers all the efforts which employers make for the benefit of their employees over and above the minimum standards of working conditions laid down by the Factories Act and the provisions of the social legislations providing against accident, old age, unemployment and sickness”

Objectives of Labour Welfare

1. To provide better life and health to the workers
2. To make the workers happy and satisfied
3. To relieve workers from industrial fatigue and to improve intellectual, cultural and material conditions of living of the workers.

Features of Labour Welfare Measures

1. Labor welfare includes various facilities, services and amenities provided to workers for improving their health, efficiency, economic betterment and social status.
2. Welfare measures are in addition to regular wages and other economic benefits available to workers due to legal provisions and collective bargaining
3. Labor welfare schemes are flexible and ever-changing. New welfare measures are added to the existing ones from time to time.
4. Welfare measures may be introduced by the employers, government, employees or by any social or charitable agency.
5. The purpose of labor welfare is to bring about the development of the whole personality of the workers to make a better workforce.

Benefits of Welfare Measures

• They provide better physical and mental health to workers and thus promote a healthy work environment
• Facilities like housing schemes, medical benefits, and education and recreation facilities for workers’ families help in raising their standards of living. This makes workers to pay more attention towards work and thus increases their productivity.
• Employers get stable labor force by providing welfare facilities. Workers take active interest in their jobs and work with a feeling of involvement and participation.
• Employee welfare measures increase the productivity of organization and promote healthy industrial relations thereby maintaining industrial peace.
• The social evils prevalent among the labors such as substance abuse, etc are reduced to a greater extent by the welfare policies.