NOTES
Self-Instructional
Material 143
Employee Welfare,
Separation
2. From employer’s point of view:Employers provide amenities to discharge
their social responsibility, raise the employee’s morale, use the workforce
more effectively and reduce turnover and absenteeism. Welfare helps build
a positive image of the organization and makes it easier for them to attract
and hire competent personnel.
3. From union’s point of view:Trade unions role in labour welfare stems
from worker’s need for welfare services. Unions feel that welfare services
ought to be provided whether by the government or the employers. However,
much depends on the initiative of the unions, their bargaining strength and
the priority given by them to the rights of the workers.
Principles of labour welfare
The following principles should be borne in mind while setting up a labour welfare
service:
1. First determine the employees’ real needs. The welfare service should satisfy
the real needs of the workers.
2. Due to differences in sex, age, income levels of employees, a mix of benefits
is suggested so that the choice is left to each individual employee.
3. The cost of the service should be calculated and its financing established on
a sound basis.
Provisions of Factories Act regarding labour welfare
The Factories Act, 1948, under Sections 42 to 49, contains certain provision for
the welfare of the labour working in the factories. The following are some of the
provisions mentioned under this act:
1. Washing facility (Section 42): Every factory should provide adequate
facilities for washing. Separate and suitable facilities should be provided for
both male and female workers.
2. Storing and drying clothes (Section 43): The state government, with
respect to the factories has made rules to provide the facility to the workers
for keeping their clothes not worn during working hours. This section also
enables the factories to provide facility to the workers for drying wet clothes.
3. Sitting arrangement (Section 44): Every factory should have proper sitting
arrangements for the workers who have to work in the standing position.
4. First aid applications (Section 45): Every factory should maintain sufficient
first aid facility to the workers. The first aid boxes should be equipped with
prescribed contents, and there should be at least one box for every 150
workers. Every company having more than 500 workers must have an
ambulance room properly equipped with all the equipments and having
nursing staff as well.
