281

CHAPTER-VI I I

EVALUAT I ON AND SUGGEST I ONS

An attempt is made in this chapter to evaluate the

state of art of various welfare, health and safety

provisions in the two cement units selected for the

study, summarise the conclusion and offer suggestions

to make these provisions implemented more meaningfully

and effectively.

The present research project attempts to proble

into the various statutory measures that are provided

according to the Factories At, 1948 in respect of

welfare, safety and health of the employees in cement

units of Guntur District, which comprises of: (i)

Ramakrishna Cements, Macherla, hereafter referred to as

Ramakrishna and (ii) Durga Cements, Dachepalli,

hereafter referred to as Durga.

Absence of any comprehensive study in the area of

welfare, health and safety of workers in cement

industry of Guntur District and the growing employment

 282

potential thrown by the fast expanding cement industry

in this district have promoted the present study.

The present study covers the ten-year period from

1986 to 1995 for the analysis of secondary data

relating to the expenditure on provisions of welfare,

safety and health measures. The primary data, relating

to the differnt variables and opnion of the workers,

have been collected for the year 1995.

HYPOTHESES

The following hypotheses have been formulated for

the purpose of this study.

1. The socio-economic characteristics of the employees

belonging to the units under study are similar

requiring the various provisions to be implemented

in the same spirit.

2. The compliance with statutory welfare provisions on

the part of the managements of the units under study

is full and uniform.

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3. Differences are likely to exist in the provision of

non-statutory welfare measures because of their

voluntary nature.

4. There would be an increase in the share of welfare

expenditure proportionate to that of increase in the

value of production.

5. The compliance with the statutory provisions on

safety and health by the managements is full and

uniform.

6. Various agencies are playing their due role in the

promotion of labour welfare activities.

OBJECTIVES

Briefly, the study has the following objectives;

1. to study the socio-economic characteristics of the

selected workers.
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2. to assess the extent of the implementation of

statutory provisions in respect of safety, health

and welfare in the selected units.

3. to assess the adequacy or otherwise of the voluntary

welfare amenities provided by the respective

managements.

4. to analyse the opinions and reactions of the workers

regarding the implementation of various provisions

in respect of welfare, safety and heath in the

selected units.

5. to study the role of various agencies in general,

and trade unions in particular, in the promotion of

we Ifare activities in the selected units.

6. to find out the relationship between the expenditure

on labour welfare provisions, vis-a-vis the value of

production.

7. to offer suggestions for the implementation of the

welfare safety and health provisions more

effectively and meaningfully.

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METHODOLOGY AND SAMPLING

The data and other relevant information for this

study have been collected mainly from three sources:

1. Records in the offices of the units.

2. Interviews with workers, managers and union

office-bearers; and

3. Secondary sources such as books, journals,

reports etc.

The 20 per cent sample from each unit has been

taken for the study based on the random sample. Since

much of the data needed for the study related to the

opinions of the selected workers on various welfare,

safety and health provisions in sample units, a

schedule was prepared and personally canvassed. The

schedule covers the following aspects:

1. Socio-economic profile of the respondents.

2. Opinions on statutory provisions in respect of

welfare, safety and health in sample units as
perceived by the selected workers; and

3. Measures for improvement.

Wherever available, the information relating to

the amounts spent by the managements of the sample

 286

units bn various welfare, safety and health measures

was also collected. The investigator has visited all

the sample units personally in order to observe and

assess the various welfare provisions made available to

the workers in the respective units. Secondary

information was collected from the books and journals

available in the various University libraries.

Interviews with office-bearers of the unions and

Managers of the various departments was held using non-

structured schedule.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF THE STUDY

The role of these studies in helping the

management, the unions and the Government to improve

the existing state of affairs need not be over

emphasised. Such studies reveal the way how an

organisation or a system is functioning and what and

how it ought to improve efficiency. The collection of

factual information must precede any modifications to

be incorporated in the present system. The present

study is an attempt to contribute in that direction.

The studies of this type are helpful in conspicuously

demonstrating through in-depth analysis, as to what

 287

exists. By comparison with what ought to exist the

studies show the gap and also furnish the reasons

between practice and percept. Significance of the

studies of this type gets greatly enhanced as they

clearly show the lacunae and also what could be done to

improve the situation.

Studies of this type, by virtue of their confining

themselves to micro-level investigation, lend

themselves to applicability of the suggestions offered.

Hence, on the basis of the facts, opinions, inferences

and corroborative evidence, the existing situation as

well as what needs to be doen by way of modifications

is shown by the studies of present type.

We know that all progress depends upon identifying

the areas where the problem exists then analysing the

problem, detecting the critical factor in the problem

and rectifying it. As such, the study will be able to

demonstrate the need for the change and how the change
has to be brought about. This contribution is expected

to improve the efficiency.

 288

The present study will help the managements of the

organisations under investigation to understand the

whole spectrum of the state of labour welfare of their

respective organisations and possibly exert a positive

influence on them. They may be motivated to evolve or

modify the policies or practices in the areas of

welfare, safety and health so as to achieve better

results, keep the work force contented and hence a

harmonious work environment.

The study has tried to understand the state of the

implementation of the various statutory provisions

according to the Factories Act, 1948 in respect of the

welfare, safety and health of the employees in selected

units. These aspects have been analysed in-depth. The

comparative picture of these indicators may wake up the

managements out of self complacence and stimulate them

to improve the state of labour welfare in their

organisations.

It is a common knowledge that we are having a poor

standard of living, which is due to poor income.

Especially the wage-earning class suffers greatly from
 289

the inequal distribution of income. At this juncture,

the effective implementation of the provisions of

welfare, safety and health play a great role improving

the lot of labour and leading a better life. As such,

the adequacy or otherwise of these provisions have been

assessed by studying the present situation and also

eliciting the opinions of the workers in this regard.

This information will be useful to the management as

well as the union leaders.

The study also attempts to examine the role of

various agencies in the implementation of the various

welfare programmes for the betterment of the employees.

In this regard the study has pointed out what ought to

be done by various agencies and has also suggested as

to what can be done to improve the state of labour

welfare.

I I
EVALUATION
PROFILE OF WORKERS

It is considered necessary to examine the socio

economic profile of the employees working in the

 29 0

selected units as the requirement of various welfare

measures in an industrial unit is very much influenced

by the socio-economic conditions of the workforce. As

regards the age composition of workers, Ramakrishna was

clearly dominated by workers belonging to upper age

group of 41-45 years while Durga was found having

workers predominentIy belonging to the age group of 36-

40 years. A considerable percentage of workers at

Durga was also found in the age group of 41-45 years.

With regard to the nativity, majority of the

workers are found hailing from either within the area

or district in which the sample units are located.

Durga Cements is having workers from outside the

district slightly more than that of Ramakrishna. This

may be due to the recent establishment of Durga Cements

offering opportunities to the people outside the

district in certain categories.

In both the sample units, majority of the

respondents are Hindus by religion, followed by a

considerable percentage of respondents belonging to the

Christian religion. This trend reflects the overall

 291

composition of the people of the state by religion.

So far as the mother tongue is concerned, more

than 88 per cent of the workers in the sample units had

Teiugu as their mother tongue. This may be because the

sample units are located in the midist of predominentIy

Teiugu speaking area of the State.

As regards the marital status, most of the

respondents (89.13 per cent) are married as these units

are mostly having the workers of more than 25 years of

age. Earning members of such age are deemed ideal for

marriage.

Ramakrishna had the workers having more work

experience than at Durga because of the fact that

Ramakrishna was established thirty years earlier.

Majority of the workers in the sample units are

dominated by the workers with big families. The

reasons for big families at Durga inspite of a slightly

more younger employees may be due to the social customs

and beliefs. As far as the earnings are concerned,

 292

majority of the workers in both the units are found

earning between Rs.1501 to 2500 per month followed by

the workers earning between Rs.2501 to 4000. Most of

the workers in the sample units do not have any

subsidiary income.

The expenditure pattern of respondents revealed

that a major part of their income is spent on the basic

needs like food, clothing and shelter. Perhaps it is

the reason why most of the workers in the sample units

are resorting to borrowing for the purpose of meeting

the increased cost of living.

The extent of indebtedness is found severe as

nearly 88 per cent of the workers are indebted.

Majority of the workers are resorting to borrowing from

money lenders as it is an easy and immediate source.

The purpose for which this borrow is mainly to meet the

consumption needs leading to the conclusion that their

income is quite insufficient to meet the daily needs.

Thus the above analysis reveals that in majority

of the cases there is no dissimilarity between the two

 293

units. As such, the hypothesis formulated in respect

of socio-economic characteristics of the work force is

by and large proved correct. Hence, it may be presumed

that the welfare needs of employees in both the sample

units are more or less the same.

STATUTORY WELFARE MEASURES

With regard to washing facilities, Ramakrishna

provided water taps in open space for the use of

workers to wash off the dust. There are no separate

rooms for this purpose. At Durga, there is only one

room provided for this purpose. However, majority of

the workers were not satisfied with the washing

facilities. This may be due to less number of rooms

for washing facilities at Durga and lack of separate

rooms for this purpose at Ramakrishna.

The provision of facility for storing and drying

of cloths is satisfactory at both the units. Regarding

facilities for sitting, the respective managements have

provided necessary sitting arrangements particularly

for the workers who have to work while standing.

First aid facilities are made available at both

 294

the units. However, it is being properly managed at

Ramakrishna.

As both the sample units are maintaining canteens,

there is no necessity to provide separate lunch rooms

for the workers. Yet, rest rooms are provided for

workers with facilities like provision of mats, etc.

However, ventilation and lighting and cleanliness are

found very poor and the same was expressed by the

workers.

Canteen, an important aspect of labour welfare is

provided and better maintained at Ramakrishna where

number of items of food stuffs is made available on the

subsidised prices. But this facility is very poor at

Durga as the canteen is maintained by a private

contractor on no profit no loss basis where only a few

items are made available. Most of the workers at Durga

expressed dissatisfaction regarding this facility.

Perhaps that is the reason why the workers frequency

of making visits to canteen is found very low at Durga
compared to that of Ramakrishna. Regarding the price

and quality of edibles offered in the canteen, an

 295

unfavourable opinion is expressed by the workers at

Durga. The management of Durga should realise that

canteen is a means to improve the efficiency of the

workers by providing richer food stuffs at lower

prices. This facility in many aspects is good at

Ramakrishna.

The Managements of Ramakrishna and Durga complied

with the statutory requirement of appointing Welfare

Officers as the number of workers employed is more than

500 in each unit.

In respect of the other statutory provisions like

working hours, holidays shifts, extra wages for

overtime, restriction of double payment, employment of

young persons, annual leave with wages, etc., both the

units are found strictly adhering to the stipulation

laid down in the Factories Act.

The analysis stated earlier reveals that workers

are not fully satisfied with the maintenance of washing
facilities at both the units. First aid appliances and

rest rooms at Ramakrishna and canteen and rest rooms at

 296

Durga are not upto the satisfaction of the workers.

However, the respective managements have proved the

basic structure in respect of these facilities. As

regards the other provisions the respective managements

have fully complied with the legal stipulations. As

such, it leads to the conclusion that the hypothesis

formulated regarding the compliance of the units with

statutory welfare provisions is proved almost correct.

VOLUNTARY WELFARE MEASURES

Industrial housing is found to be a serious

problem especially in a developing country like India.

In the present study it has been revealed that workers

provided with the accommodation by the managements is

only one-third of the total workers and thus depicting

the insufficiency of the housing facilities.

There is much to be done to improve the various

amenities in the housing colonies like approach roads

street lights, sanitation, dust bins, parks, etc. The

same was felt by workers in both the units.

in discussion with workers staying in the outside

rented houses it was revealed that the majority of the

 297

workers prefer staying in the company quarters as

punctuality could be ensured in reporting to the job

besides avoiding unnecessary exertion of travelling

from their houses to the factory every day. Further,

some of the workers subscribed to the view that

provision of factory quarters wi I I faci I itate an

opportunity for exchange of views on matters of common

interest.

It is most disheartening to note that the

provision of transport facilities to the workers is

conspicious by its absence in both the units. As

revealed in the study, 46.08 per cent of the workers

come to the work-spot by walk, whil 46.95 per cent come

to the work spot by bicycles.

The medical facilities provided at Durga are

better compared to Ramakrishna where these are almost

absent, except the provision of first aid. The

management of Durga has provided a dispensary inside

the factory area wh i h has a qualified doctor and

nursing staff. However, it has been found that no

arrangement has been made by the managements of both

 298

the units for a systematic medical check-up of workers

for an early detection of the occupational diseases.

The workers have also expressed the view that their

health had deteriorated after joining the Ramakrishna

unit. Probably early detection of the occupational

disease might have led to many workers going in for a

timely treatment.

The functioning of the consumer co-operative

stores is not upto the desired level. Half of the

workers in both the units are not making use of the

stores because of improper maintenance. The reasons

put forth by the workers for the same include lack of

credit facility, non-availability of all the required

provisions, no difference of prices as compared to

outside, besides adultrat ion.

The co-operative credit societies in both the

units are not able to function properly. The reasons

put forth by the workers include the loan amount being

meagre, besides the misappropriation of funds by the

office bearers. The improper functioning of the credit

society may be the reason for the workers in both the

 299

units approaching the money lenders for borrowing the

money absorbitent rates of interest.

No well organised workers education programmes are

found in the units. It appears that both management

and workers are not enthusiastic about the outcome of

these programmes.

It is disheartening to note that no sincere

attempt is made by the sample units to look after the

educational and there by the intellectual and cultural

growth of the children. Ramakrishna has no school of

its own for the workers children. It is discharging

its obligation by simply distributing small amounts of

scholarships. Though Durga has a school of its own,

the facilities in respect of sports and library are

inadequate. Most of the workers expressed

dissatisfaction particularly over the standard of

coaching in the school.

The recreational facilities are reasonably good at

Ramakrishna and they are almost absent at Durga.

 300

Though there is one reading room hear the factory

premises at Durga where one or two newspapers are made

available, some of the workers use this room for

playing cards. Majority of the workers in both the

units are accustomed to spend their leisure time by

seeing cinemas.

There is loan facility for workers for purchase .of

company shares at Ramakrishna. There is no such

facility at Durga. The management of Ramakrishna

provides housing loan to its workers and this facility

is not available at Durga. The facilities like

incentives on family planning, festival advance and

leave travel are similar in both the units.

As such, it can be observed from the above

analysis that significant difference exist in the

provision of welfare facilities because of their

voluntary nature. Hence, the hypothesis formulated is

proved correct.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

In the cement factories, the scope for the

 301

accumulation of dust and refuse in the air and on floor

is very high. In this regard, the care taken by the

management of the sample units is not adequate. The

number of sweepers appointed for the purpose of

cleaning is insufficient. Washing of floors is done

only on the eve of some important festivals and at the

time of the visit of some important officials. As

such, washing is not done at regular intervals.

Further, proper supervision is also required on the

sweepers engaged in cleaning.

As regards disposal of wasts and effluents, the

sample units are satisfactorily attending to it.

However, the periodicity of the removal of wastage has

to be reduced to prevent the dust lying on the floor

and getting scattered around by the wind. At present,

this job is done once in every fifteen days.

With regard to the prevention of the inhalation of

the dust and fumes, the managements of the sample units

have taken appropriate case. In this regard, Durga has

installed Electro Static Precipitator (ESP) while

Ramakrishna has installed dust bags to collect dust and

 302
a

thereby control the adverse affects of dust pollution.

However, effective supervision is required to caution

and take appropriate action against the workers who are

negligent of using nose-guards.

As regards lighting and electrification of halls,

a sufficient number of tube lights and flood lights

spread over different points has been done in both the

units. However, in the opinion of workers, proper

attention has to be paid towards the maintenance and

replacement of these lights.

Ramakrishna has provided the facility of toilets

(latrines and urinals) adequately and to the

satisfaction of the workers while at Durga there are no

separate urinals. As such, some employees do use the

open ground. The maintenance of toilets at Durga

leaves much to be desired.

Regarding the provision of ventilation and

temperature, drinking water, spitoons and avoiding

overcrowding, the compliance of the sample units is

adequate.
 303

Both the sample units under study have almost

complied with the provision of various statutory safety

provisions. However, regular chek-up of the working

conditions of prime machines has not been done. The

care taken by the respective managements of the sample

units regarding self acting machines has been very

good.

ROLE OF VARIOUS AGENCIES

Majority of the workers in both the units are

aware of the legal provisions in respect of labour

welfare. However, it is disappointing to note that a

considerable percentage of workers did not know the

various legal provisions enacted by the central and

state governments in this regard. The analysis reveals

that majority of the workers are not satisfied with the

present legal provisions on labour welfare. Reasons

for their dissatisfaction include; provisions being

insufficient; lack of appropriate impIemen-tation

machinery; complacent attitude of the management; and

lack of sincere attempt on the part of law enforcing

agencies in the effective implementation of the

 304

provisions relating to labour welfare.

Though Cement units have an organisation by name

All India Cement Manufacturers Association, never was

an attempt made by this Association to promote the

welfare of the workers. Majority of the workers are

satisfied with the provision of the social security and

statutory welfare measures by the respective units

which are legally obligatory on their part. A

considerable percentage of workers in both the units

are not satisfied with voluntary welfare facilities in

their units. The reasons put forth by the workers for

their dissatisfaction include lack of serious concern,

commitment and humanistic approach on the part of

respective managements. There is similarity in the

opinions expressed by the workers in both the units on

the role of their respective managements in regard to

the provision of welfare facilities.

There was no evidence of any social or voluntary

organisation having undertaken any sort of activities

meant for the welfare of the employees of the sample
units.
 305

Though majority of the workers in both the units

had good image of Labour Welfare Officer in their

units, they were not happy of the role of the Labour

Welfare Officer in the promotion of labour welfare in

their respective units. Some of workers in both the

units opined that Labour Welfare Officer protects

managements interest and lacks genuine concern for the

workers. But, majority of the workers are of the view

that the Labour Welfare Officer is sympathetic towards

workers but afraid of management. As such, the

conclusion coincides with that of the general

impression that Labour Welfare Officer is basically an

employee appointed by the management and hence he can

not act against the interest and wishes of the

management. As a result, they are not able to play

their due role in the promotion of labour welfare up to

the expectations of the employees.

Trade unions that can play a greater role in

getting the various statutory, voluntary and social

security provisions effectively implemented by the

management besides actively undertaking different

social, recreational and developmental activities for
 30 6

the benefit of their members are not playing their due

role according to the opinion of the majority of the

workers in sample units. One of the reasons for this

is said to be the union leadership being in the hands

of outsiders who do not or cannot spare much of their

time and attention to workers and their welfare and are

interested in meeting their personal ends at the cost

of the welfare of the workers. Selfishness of union

leaders is said to the another reason for the failure

of the trade unions in playing their due role in the

promotion of labour welfare. Moreover, the

multiplicity of unions is another reason as the leaders

of different unions usually indulge in fighting with

one another neglecting the basic interest of the

employees and their welfare. Lack of sensitivity and.

genuine interest on the part of the trade union leaders

in reacting to the problems of workers in respect of

their welfare may be yet another reason for their

failure in playing their due role in the promotion of

labour welfare. Low level of education and awareness

of the trade union leaders also adds to their

insensitivity leading to indifference towards the
workers welfare.
 307

Hence, it can be concluded that the trade unions

are not playing any role in the promotion of labour

welfare.

As such, the hypothesis that various agencies and

in particular trade unions are playing their due role

in the promotion of labour welfare activities is

disproved.

SUGGESTIONS

After evaluating the various provisions relating

to statutory and voluntary welfare measures as well as

Health and Safety measures in the two units coveed in

this study, the following suggestions are made to

improve the existing practices as well as eliminate or

reduce the inefficiencies to evolve better policies for

the future to implement these measures more effectively

and meaningfully.

STATUTORY WELFARE MEASURES

With respect to washing facilities, the

managements of sample units should remember that

appropriate provision of such facilities would add to

 308

the workers comfort, health and efficiency as these

units produce lot of dust. Hence, it is suggested that

the management of Durga must increase the number of

bath rooms. The management of Ramakrishna should think

of providing separate bath rooms for this facility.

The management of Ramakrishna should pay proper

attention to maintenance of first-aid appliances. A

responsible person who holds a certificate in first-aid

treatment recognised by the State Government should be

kept incharge of first aid appliances capable of

utilising the same in proper manner in case of need.

Further, it should have the concern to equip the first-

aid box with the prescribed contents. As the workers

are more than 500 in number, a seperate ambulance room

containing the prescribed equipment is to be provided

under the charge of qualified medical nursing staff, as

is done at Durga.

The managements of the sample units should pay

proper attention to the maintenance of rest rooms as

they are now provided without proper ventilation and

lighting. Cleanliness is also required in these rooms.

 309

The management of Durga cannot view the provision

of canteen as a routine statutory obligation to be

fulfilled somehow. The canteen presently in the hands

of a private contractor needs to be replaced by

appropriate alternative bearing in mind the spirit

behind the provision of canteen facility. Workers

union should also take active interest in improving the

canteen service. Further, the literate and enlightened

workers can think of running the canteen by themselves

on a cooperative basis as it provides undeniable

benefits from the point of view of health, efficiency

and well, being of the workers. The management of Durga

should realise that canteen is a means to improve the

efficiency of the workers by providing to workers

richer food at lower cost and come forward to offer

subsidy as is done at Ramakrishna.

VOLUNTARY WELFARE MEASURES

Housing being the basic need of the human beings

requires sincere and willing effort on the part of the

management to consider the whole issue of providing

appropriate housing facilities to their workers. It is

revealed in the study that 40 per cent of the workers

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of the two units are staying in rented houses. Absence

of proper housing facility may compel some of the

workers to live in slums and become victims of many

evils prevailing there in, eventually reducing the

efficiency of workers. As such, it is necessary that

workers need to be provided adequate and appropriate

houses with required facilities. Hence, steps must be

taken preferably by th*e employers to provide housing to

its workers.

The situation of poor housing cannot be expected

to be tackled by the employer alone, although the role

of the employer should be the main. The employer, the

Government and the local self-government should pay

special attention to this problem as it will become

more comp I icated with the passage of time. The

Employer and the Government should jointly come forward

and construct more houses for the workers and the local

self-government bodies should earmark specific areas

for workers colonies and construct pucca roads and

drainage system and provide space for playground, parks

as well as provide the lighting the water facilities.

In these areas, if due to the paucity of funds the

 311

houses cannot be constructed, the workers should be

allowed to construct huts of the prescribed type in the

prescribed manner.

The State Government and the local self-government

should also provide educational facilities for the

children of the workers. Sufficient number of health

centres can also be located in these areas.

In order to further accelerate the construction of

houses for workers, housing boards should come forward

to provide loans at concessional rates of interest to

enable the construction of low cost housing. The

government can enact statutory measures so that the

employers keep apart a specified portion of their

profits and the rents received from the quarters for

further construction of housing accommodation to

workers.

Transport facilities to workers residing at a

cons i de'rab I e distance are essential to release them

from strain and anxiety and by reducing the time spent

in travelling between their houses and their work. As

 312

two thirds of the workers in both the units are staying

outside the quarters, the managements should think of

providing transport facility to workers as it would

provide greater opportunity for relaxation and

recreation and help in reducing the rate of

absenteeism.

The management of Ramakrishna should have the

dispensary of its own in the company premises fully

requipped with proper medicines and qualified staff.

To reduce the incidence of occupational diseases the

managements of sample units should arrange for

periodical medical check-up by qualified doctors.

The consumer cooperative stores has a definite

role to play in providing workers with essential items

of need. These stores in both the units can be made to

function more effectively by rectifying the lacunae in

the present functioning by providing goods on credit

and deducting the amount from the monthly wages and by

checking the quality of goods frequently to reduce the

incidence of adultration. The managements of the units

should make an attempt to reduce the expenditure of the
 313

stores so as to reduce the overhead burden to enable

the goods to be priced at lower level. The management

and the union should take an active interest keeping in

view the benefits the workers can derive out of proper

maintenance of the stores.

The lacunae in the functioning of the cooperative

credit societies at both the units can be rectified and

made to function effectively. It is true that

cooperative credit society among the industrial workers

can help them in meeting some of their urgent but heavy

expenses without driving them to usurious and

exploitative sources. The managements of sample units

should check misappropriation of funds by office

bearers to raise the confidence of the workers in its

functioning and can prevent the workers approaching

money lenders for borrowing. Loan amount to a

considerable extent needs to be enhanced.

The management, trade unions and workers of the

sample units should come out of their complacent

attitude towards the programmes of workers education.

They should realise that these programmes would develop

 314

among workers a greater understanding of the problems

of the unit as well as social and economic environment.

The effectiveness of these programmes at the unit level

depends upon the workeiteachers. Therefore, workers

with right attitudes, abilities and intelligence,

should be sponsored for these programmes. Trade Unions

should be given a wider role in the implementation of

these programmes and wherever possible organisation of

unit level classes are to be entrusted to them.

The management of Durga should take proper steps

in fmproving the standard of teaching in the school and

also provide library and play facilities. The

management of Ramakrishna should concede the reasonable

request of its employees and establish a school of its

own with proper facilities.

The management of Durga should realise the

importance of recreation facility in the life of the

workers and come out of their indifferent attitude in

providing recreational facilities and accord it a high

priority. The management and union at Ramakrishna

should encourage and educate the workers so as to

 315

induce them to utilise the facilities provided for this

benefit. The managements of sample units can think of

establishing recreational centres outside the place of

work, preferably in housing colonies. These centres

should be well equipped to attract sufficient number of

members.

The Management of Durga should think of

introducing loan facility for workers for purchase of

company shares, as is done at Ramakrishna. It should

also think of providing housing loan to its workers as

is available at its counterpart, Ramakrishna.

SArPery
HEALTH AND sammy1
As the manufacturing process of Cement involves

accumulation of dust which is likely to cause diseases,

the managements of the sample units should pay proper

attention to the cleanliness. Both the units should

increase the number of sweepers for this purpose

besides ensuring proper supervision. Instead of

washing the floors on important but random occasions,

it should done undertaking regularly.

 32 6

Disposal of wastes and effluences should also be

undertaken regularly to prevent the dust being spread

around by the wind and thus, reduce the dust pollution.

Though provision is made for lighting and

electrification of halls with flood lights fixed over

different points, it is essential that proper

maintenance and replacement is done in time.

The management of Durga should think of providing

separate rooms for urinals besides paying proper

attention towards the maintenance of lavatories. They

should also take the necessary steps to prevent

employees dirtying the open spaces.

Although the sample units have almost complied

with the provision of various statutory safety

measures, regular check-up of the working conditions of

the prime machines should be done. Strict supervision

should be undertaken to ensure the employees wear the

safety gadgets and follow the safety rules. The

managements should pay a better attention to make the

safety programmes effective and meaningful. It is in

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this regard that the managements, with the co-operation

of the employees and trade unions, should undertake

measures like increasing safety awareness, constituting

the safety committees, hold safety contests and

undertake educational programmes on safety.

ROLE OF AGENCIES

It is revealed by the study that a considerable

percentage of workers did not know the various legal

provisions enacted by Central and State Governments

relating to welfare of the workers. As such, it is the

duty of the trade unions to enlighten the workers on

this aspect. As majority of the workers are not

satisfied with the present legal provisions on labour

welfare, due to the lack of appropriate implementation

machinery, complacent attitude of management and lack

of sincere attempt on the part of the law enforcing

agencies. As such, there is a need for strengthening

of enforcement machinery for effective implementation

of laws and also frequent inspections for more

stringent enforcement of the existing provisions

relating to labour welfare that would go a long way in

bettering the conditions of workers. In this regard,

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the trade unions ought to play its due role in this

regard.

The All India Cement Manufacturers Association

should also realise the importance of labour force in

the industrial structure and undertake measures to

promote the welfare of the workers. Further, the

respective managements of the units should have a

serious concern, commitment and be humanistic in their

approach and come forward to provide various voluntary

welfare facilities in their units and thus keep the

labour force contented and stable. In this regard, the

trade unions should play a great role in pursuading and

convincing the management to provide the voluntary

welfare amenities to the maximum possible extent.

The trade unions and the respective managements

should put their efforts together in enlisting the

support of the locally available social or voluntary

organisations in contributing their might in

undertaking certain of the activities meant for the

welfare of the workers, such as conducting of health

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camps, programmes of workers education, plantation of

trees in workers' colonies, sanitation etc.

Majority of the workers viewed Labour Welfare

Officer being sympathetic but afraid of management.

Though the job of the Labour Welfare Officer is to look

after the implementation of laws relating to labour

welfare, he is not able to play his due role in the

promotion of labour welfare upto the expectations of

the employees due to the fact that he is an employee

appointed by the management. As a result, he is many a

time biased to management in his actions in respect of

labour welfare. It has been the impression of the

workers in general in both the units. As such, it is

the high time that the trade unions should fight with

the government and see that Labour Welfare Officer is

appointed by the Government. This would pave the may

for the Labour Welfare Officer to act independently and

do justice for the workers in the implementation of

various legal provisions relating to labour welfare.

Unfortunately, most of the trade unions attach

much importance to the function of securing redressal
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of workers grievances and to improve the financial

status by putting up a fight with the employers and do

not realise the significance of welfare activities.

Along with efforts to improve the financial status, the

unions should effectively start activities such as the

provision of day schools for children night school for

adults, reading rooms, libraries, cooperative stores,

gymnasiums and other welfare activities. The

Government and employers should realise the importance

of healthy trade unions to exist and bring some

legislative measures to avoid multiplicity of unions,

outside leadership, political interference etc. This

would enable the trade unions to work for the cause of

workers and promote industrial peace. Such environment

gives the unions the pride in their achievements. The

unions by taking up welfare activities make their life

more pleasant. As such, the unions should manifest a

will to improve and work for the welfare of the

workers.