Explain the necessity of Labour Welfare work in India

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The Importance of welfare work is greater in India than in the West. Comment

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Compared to other countries there is more and greater need of labour welfare in India due to deficiencies in Indian labour force.
The necessity of labour welfare work in India can easily be realised if we look into the working conditions of the labour class in Indian industries. India, an industrially backward country, is in its developing stage. The place of labour in industries in India is not recognised. The principles of personnel management and industrial relations have not been developed in India except in few big industrial units. Commodity concept of labour still prevails in the country. Thus the scope of labour management relations has not been much widened in India while in western countries, the labour is regarded as the partner in the affairs of the industry. The attitude of employers is sympathetic to workers in western countries and they provide various welfare facilities as a measure to improve industrial relations and better working conditions.
The working conditions in Indian industries are not satisfactory. The workers have to work for long hours under unhealthy surroundings, and have no means to remove' the drudgery of their lives. They become easy victims of drink, gambling and other vices, in the uncongenial environment of urban industrial life. A contented stable and efficient labour force cannot be built up without an improvement in the conditions of their life and work in industrial countries. The workers in India are poorer than the workers in other western countries and as such they cannot be expected to spend anything for their own welfare. Our labourers, being illiterate and generally blamed for being irresponsible and lazy, require a lot of inducements and better working conditions. It is axiomatic that' in all pursuits a high standard of efficiency can be expected only from persons who are physically fit and free from all worries and that is from persons who are properly housed, fed and clothed. Industrial harmony can only be maintained when the workers feel that they are adequately remunerated for the work and are treated fairly by the employer. Much of the irritations and frictions which embitter industrial relations are due to the feeling that they are not being received by the employer properly. If the labourers are properly behaved and certain amenities are supplied, they feel satisfied and find no scope for resentment against employers) It has been experienced in the Tata Group of Industries. It is therefore said that the importance of welfare work is greater in India than in the west.
Following are the important reasons why labour welfare work in India assumes greater importance that in other countries.
(1) Lack of strong Trade Union Movement — In India trade union movement is still in its infancy, and not strong enough to protect their own interests. In industrialised and developed countries. Workers are strongly organised into trade unions. As the force of strong trade union is missing in our country the welfare of labourers should be efficiently looked after by the employer and the government.
(2) Lack of literacy and education. In comparison to other countries, the percentage of educated workers is very low, and consequently they are not in a position to understand their own interests and interests of employer and the society. Hence labour welfare is required more in India than in other countries.
(3) Lack of Healthy Recreation. Workers do hot have healthy recreation with the result that they indulge in crime and other wrongful activities. Hence it is essential that recreation and entertainment of a healthy kind be provided,
(4) Industrial Backwardness —From the viewpoint of industrial backwardness Indian industries are far behind than other countries. Industrial programme is dependent upon the efficiency of labour. Welfare measures motivate the workers and maintain their efficiency and productivity.
(5) Problem of Absenteeism and Migration— Compared to workers on their countries the Indian labourer is more restless and tendentious towards frequent migration because life in the town does not provide for his needs, and the atmosphere in general does not suit him. Level of wages is far too low to adequately compensate for the high prices of most commodities. Hence, the labourer cannot comfortably settle down in one place. This worker's migratory tendency can be curbed by providing him with adequate housing improving the conditions in which he is required to work, and other welfare work of a similar nature. This will help the worker establish a home in the town, and he will not have to run frequently to the village for his family. Hence, the problem of absentees in factory will be reduced? Recreation and cultural facilities will prevent much indulgence in drug addiction and alcoholism, crime and prostitution and other undesirable activity. Even more than this, the percentage of absentees in factories will fall between employer and employees for implementing the legislative provisions. Labour problems shall be minimised through collective bargaining and industrial peace shall be promoted in the country without any force.