Introduction to Welfare Activity

According to International Labour Organization

Such services and facilities may to enable the persons employed to perform their work in a
healthy & congenial surroundings, Insists on providing amenities conductive to good health and
high morale.
Welfare includes anything that is done for the comfort and improvement of employees and is
provided over and above the wages. Welfare helps in keeping the morale and motivation of the
employees high so as to retain the employees for longer duration. The welfare measures need not
be in monetary terms only but in any kind/forms. Employee welfare includes 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 their
families.
Labor welfare entails all those activities of employer which are directed towards providing the
employees with certain facilities and services in addition to wages or salaries.

The Basic Features of Workers Welfare Measures Are As Follows:

Labor welfare includes various facilities, services and amenities provided to workers for
improving their health, efficiency, economic betterment and social status.

Welfare measures are in addition to regular wages and other economic benefits available
to workers due to legal provisions and collective bargaining.

Labor welfare schemes are flexible and ever-changing. New welfare measures are added
to the existing ones from time to time.

Welfare measures may be introduced by the employers, government, employees or by

any social or charitable agency.

The purpose of labor welfare is to bring about the development of the whole personality
of the workers to make a better workforce.

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.

Employee Welfare Schemes

Organizations provide welfare facilities to their employees to keep their motivation levels high.
The employee welfare schemes can be classified into two categories viz. statutory and nonstatutory welfare schemes. The statutory schemes are those schemes that are compulsory to
provide by an organization as compliance to the laws governing employee health and safety.
These include provisions provided in industrial acts like Factories Act 1948, Dock Workers Act
(safety, health and welfare) 1986, Mines Act 1962. The non-statutory schemes differ from
organization to organization and from industry to industry

STATUTORY WELFARE SCHEMES

The statutory welfare schemes include the following provisions:
1. Drinking Water: At all the working places safe hygienic drinking water should be
provided.
2. Facilities for sitting: In every organization, especially factories, suitable seating
arrangements are to be provided.

3. First aid appliances: First aid appliances are to be provided and should be readily
assessable so that in case of any minor accident initial medication can be provided to the
needed employee.
4. Latrines and Urinals: A sufficient number of latrines and urinals are to be provided in
the office and factory premises and are also to be maintained in a neat and clean
condition.
5. Canteen facilities: Cafeteria or canteens are to be provided by the employer so as to
provide hygienic and nutritious food to the employees.
6. Spittoons: In every work place, such as ware houses, store places, in the dock area and
office premises spittoons are to be provided in convenient places and same are to be
maintained in a hygienic condition.
7. Lighting: Proper and sufficient lights are to be provided for employees so that they can
work safely during the night shifts.
8. Washing places: Adequate washing places such as bathrooms, wash basins with tap and
tap on the stand pipe are provided in the port area in the vicinity of the work places.
9. Changing rooms: Adequate changing rooms are to be provided for workers to change
their cloth in the factory area and office premises. Adequate lockers are also provided to
the workers to keep their clothes and belongings.
10. Rest rooms: Adequate numbers of restrooms are provided to the workers .

NON STATUTORY SCHEMES

Many non-statutory welfare schemes may include the following schemes:
1. Personal Health Care (Regular medical check-ups): Some of the companies provide
the facility for extensive health check-up
2. Flexi-time: The main objective of the flextime policy is to provide opportunity to
employees to work with flexible working schedules. Flexible work schedules are initiated
by employees and approved by management to meet business commitments while
supporting employee personal life needs

3. Employee Assistance Programs: Various assistant programs are arranged like external
counseling service so that employees or members of their immediate family can get
counseling on various matters.
4. Harassment Policy: To protect an employee from harassments of any kind, guidelines
are provided for
5.

proper action and also for protecting the aggrieved employee.

6. Maternity & Adoption Leave Employees can avail maternity or adoption leaves.
Paternity leave policies have also been introduced by various companies.
7. Medi-claim Insurance Scheme: This insurance scheme provides adequate insurance
coverage of employees for expenses related to hospitalization due to illness, disease or
injury or pregnancy.
8. Employee Referral Scheme: In several companies employee referral scheme is
implemented to encourage employees to refer friends and relatives for employment in the
organization.
9. Introduction To Welfare Activity in India
10. During the early period of industrial development, efforts towards workers welfare was
made largely by social workers, philanthropists and other religious leaders, mostly on
humanitarian grounds. 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 sanitation, absence of safety measures etc., were the regular features of the factory
life. The earliest legislative approach could be tracked back to the passing of
the Apprentices Act of 1850. This act was enacted with the objective of helping poor and
orphaned children to learn various trades and crafts. The next act was the Fatal
Accidents Act of 1853 which aimed at providing compensation to the families of
workmen who lost their life as a result of actionable wrong. Earlier attempts at
legislation in this country were mainly aimed at regulation of employment.
11.

12.Pre- Independence Era

13. The movement to improve the working conditions of Indian labour started with the
passing of the first Indian Factories Act in 1881. The deplorable conditions in which
labour worked in the textile mills in Bombay during those days, as testified by the factory

commission of 1875 was the immediate cause for the passing of the Act. Adult labour,
however, was not protected in any manner. It was found inadequate in many respects.
Anyhow, it recognized the right of the government to safeguard the interests of the
workers by means of a suitable legislation. Therefore, the Mulock Commission was
appointed by the Government of Bombay in 1884 to review the working of the Factories
Act of 1881.
14. The Factories (Amendment) Act 1891 applied to all factories employing 50 persons or
more. Provisions relating to better ventilation, cleanliness and for preventing
overcrowding in factories were also made. The hours of work for children were reduced
to six per day. Employment of women between 7.00 pm and 5.00 am was prohibited.
Women were allowed to work for eleven hours in a day with one and a half hours rest.
Certain provisions were also made for the health and safety of the Industrial workers.
15. The outbreak of First World War in 1914 let to a number of new developments. During
the war years (1914 to 1918) the number of factories and the number of persons
employed wherein increased. Wages did not keep pace with the rising prices and profits.
The establishment of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1919 was
another important land mark in the history of Labour Welfare Movement in our Country.
The formation of AITUC (1920), the first central trade union organization in our country,
also helped in furthering the cause of welfare movement.
16. Another milestone in the field of labour welfare was reached with the appointment of
Labour Investigation Committee (Rege Committee) in 1944. The committee was asked
to investigate problems relating to wages and earnings, employment, housing and social
conditions of workers. It covered different areas in labour welfare such as housing policy,
rest and recreation, occupational diseases, relief in the case of old age and death, crushes,
canteens, medical aid, washing and bathing facilities , educational facilities etc. For the
first time in India, this committee highlighted the importance of welfare measures for
workers in improving their social and economic life.
17.

18.Post Independence Period

19. After independence, the labour welfare movement acquired new dimensions. It was
realized that labour welfare had a positive role to play in the increasing productivity and
reducing industrial tensions. The emergence of different central trade union organizations
INTUC (1947), HMS (1943), BMS (1955), CITU (1970), NLO etc. gave a further

fillip to the growth of labour welfare movement. Mainly on the basis of the
recommendations of the Rege Committee, the Government of India enacted the Factories
Act 1948. To draft this important piece of legislation the services of Sir Wilfred
Garrett were utilized. Thus, the Factories Act of 1948 came into effect from 1stApril
1949.
20. Various Labour Welfare Activities were incorporated in different five year plans.
The First Five Year plan (1951 to 1956) paid considerable attention to the welfare of
working classes. It laid emphasis on the development of welfare facilities, for avoidance
of Industrial Disputes and for creating mutual goodwill and understanding. During this
period, the Plantations Labour Act, 1951,the Mines Act, 1951, and the Employees
Provident Fund Act, 1952 were enacted.
21. The Second Five Year plan (1956 to 1961) saw further developments in the field of
labour welfare. New enactments were made to cover seamen and motor transport
workers. A comprehensive scheme known as Dock Workers (safety health and welfare)
scheme was drawn up in 1951. In 1959, the Government of Assam passed an Act called
The Assam Tea Plantations Employees Welfare Fund Act. This period also saw number
of enactments in the field of industrial housing by various state governments.
22. The Third Five Year plan (1961 to 1966) stressed the need for effective implementation
of various statutory welfare provisions. It recommended improvement in working
conditions and emphasized greater productivity on the part of workers. Some of the
legislative

measures

during

this

period

include

the Maternity

Benefit

Act

1961,Apprentices Act 1961, and Payment of Bonus Act 1965.

23. The Fifth five year plan (1974 to 1979) also laid down programmes for labour welfare.
For promoting industrial safety in increasing measure, the plan provided for setting up of
safety cells in various states. An amount of Rs.57 crores was provided for labour welfare
including craftsmen training and employment service.
24. The Sixth Five Year plan (1980 to 1985) decided to promote special programmes which
would also need to be undertaken by the state governments for the benefit of Agricultural
Labour, Artisans, Handloom Weavers, Fishermen, Leather workers and other unorganized
workers in the rural and urban areas. An outlay of Rs.161.7 crores was proposed for the
labour welfare programmes during this year.
25. In spite of all these efforts, the welfare work in India is still considerably below the
standard setup in other countries. However, it has come to stay as an accepted feature of

employment conditions and is bound to make rapid progress in the years to come,
especially when the Indian Republic is wedded to the ideal of a welfare state with
socialistic objectives.

26.Welfare Legislations and Provisions in Factories Act, 1948

27. The Factories Act provides for the health, safety, welfare, service conditions and other
aspects of workers in factories. The Act is enforced by the State Government who frame
rules that ensure that local conditions are reflected in enforcement. Section 42 to 50 deals
with the welfare provisions listed in the Factories Act, 1948. Following are some of the
legal provisions:
28. Section 42: Washing facilities
29. In every factory Adequate and suitable facilities for washing shall be provided and
maintained for the use of the workers therein. Separate and adequately screened facilities
shall be provided for the use of male and female workers;
30.
Such facilities shall be conveniently accessible and shall be kept clean.
31. Section 43: Facilities for storing and drying clothing
32. The State Government may, in respect of any factory or class or description of factories,
make rules requiring the provision therein of suitable places for keeping clothing not
worn during working hours and for the drying of wet clothing.
33. Section 44: Facilities for sitting
34. In every factory suitable arrangements for sitting shall be provided and maintained for all
workers obliged to work in a standing position, in order that they may take advantage of
any opportunities for rest which may occur in the course of their work.
35. Section 45: First Aid appliances
36. 1)
There shall in every factory be provided and maintained so as to be readily
accessible during all working hours first-aid boxes or cupboards equipped with the
prescribed contents, and the number of such boxes or cupboards to be provided and
maintained shall not be less than one for every one hundred and fifty workers ordinarily
employed at any one time in the factory.
37. 2)
Nothing except the prescribed contents shall be kept in a first-aid box or cupboard.
38. 3)
Each first-aid box or cupboard shall be kept in the charge of a separate responsible
person who holds a certificate in first-aid treatment recognized by State Government and
who shall always be readily available during the working hours of the factory.
39. 4)
In every factory wherein more than five hundred workers are ordinarily employed
there shall be provided and maintained an Ambulance Room of the prescribed size,
containing the prescribed equipment and in the charge of such medical and nursing staff

as may be prescribed and those facilities shall always be made readily available during
the working hours of the factory.
40. Section 46: Canteen
41. (1) The State Government may make rules requiring that in any specified factory
wherein more than two hundred and fifty workers are ordinarily employed, a canteen or
canteens shall be provided and maintained by the occupier for the use of the workers.
42. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide
for
43. (a) The date by which such canteen shall be provided;
44. (b) The standards in respect of construction, accommodation, furniture and other
equipment of the canteen;
45. (c) The foodstuffs to be served therein and the charges which may be made therefore;
46. (d) The constitution of a managing committee for the canteen and representation of the
workers in the management of the canteen;
47. (e) The items of expenditure in the running of the canteen which are not to be taken into
account in fixing the cost of foodstuffs and which shall be borne by the employer;
48. Section 47: Shelters, Rest rooms and Lunch rooms
49. (1) In every factory wherein more than one hundred and fifty workers are ordinarily
employed, adequate and suitable shelters or rest rooms and a suitable lunch room, with
provision for drinking water, where workers can eat meals brought by them, shall be
provided and maintained for the use of the workers.
50. (2) The shelters or rest rooms or lunch rooms to be provided under sub-section (1) shall
be sufficiently lighted and ventilated and shall be maintained in a cool and clean
condition.
51. (3) The State Government may
52. (a) Prescribe the standards in respect of construction, accommodation, furniture and
other equipment of shelters, rest rooms and lunch rooms to be provided under this
section;
53. (b) By notification in the Official Gazette, exempt any factory or class or description of
factories from the requirements of this section.
54. Section 48: Creches
55. (1) In every factory wherein more than thirty women workers are ordinarily employed
there shall be provided and maintained a suitable room or rooms for the use of children
under the age of six years of such women.
56. (2) Such rooms shall provide adequate accommodation, shall be adequately lighted and
ventilated, shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be under the
charge of women trained in the care of children and infants.

57. (3) The State Government may make rules

58. (a) Prescribing the location and the standards in respect of construction,
accommodation, furniture and other equipment of rooms to be provided, under this
section;
59. (b) Requiring the provision in factories to which this section applies of additional
facilities for the care of children belonging to women workers, including suitable
provision of facilities for washing and changing their clothing;
60. (c) Requiring the provision in any factory of free milk or refreshment or both for such
children;
61. (d) Requiring that facilities shall be given in any factory for the mothers of such
children to feed them at the necessary intervals.
62. Section 49: Welfare officers
63. 1) In every factory wherein five hundred or more workers are ordinarily employed the
occupier shall employ in the factory such number of Welfare officers as may be
prescribed.
64. 2)
The State Government may prescribe the duties, qualifications and Conditions of
service of officers employed under sub-section (1)
PROVISIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES ACTThe need for labour welfare was strongly felt by the Royal Commission on labour as far back as
in 1931, primarily because of lack of commitment to industrial work among factory workers and
the harsh treatment they received from their employers. This need was emphasized, in free India,
by the constitution which contains the following articles in this regard:
ARTICLE 41: The state shall, within the limit of its economic capacity and development, make
effective provisions for securing the right to work to education, and to public assistance in cases
of unemployment, old-age, sickness, and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want.
ARTICLE 42: The state shall make provision for securing the just and humane conditions of
work and for maternity relief.
ARTICLE 43: The state shall endeavour to secure, by suitable legislation or economic
organization or in any other way, to all workers, agricultural, industrial or otherwise, work, a
wage, conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life and full enjoyment of leisure and
social and cultural opportunities, and in particular, the state shall endeavour to promote cottage
industries on an individual or co-operative basis in rural areas.

THE FACTORIES ACT:

The act was first conceived in 1881 when legislation was enacted to protect children and to
provide health and safety measures. Later, hours of work were, sought to be regulated and were,
therefore, incorporated in the act in 1911. The act was amended and enlarged in 1934 following
the recommendations of the Royal Commission of labour. A more comprehensive legislation to
regulate working conditions replaced the act in 1948.
The welfare amenities provided under the factories act 1948 are given below:
(a)

Washing facilities (S.42)

(b)

Facilities for storing and dry clothing (S.43)

(c)

Sitting facilities for occasional rest for workers who are obliged to work standing (S. 44)

(d)

First-Aid boxes or cupboards one for every 150 workers and ambulance facilities, if
there are more than 500 workers (S.45)

(e)

Canteens if employing more than 250 workers (S. 46)

(f)

Shelters, rest rooms and lunch rooms, if employing over 150 workers Welfare officer,
(S.47)

(g)

Creche, if employing more than 30 women (S. 48)

(h)

Welfare officer, if employing 500 or more workers (S.49)