Concept, Philosophy, and Theories of Labour Welfare.pptx

Labour Law

1. Concept, Philosophy and Theories of Labour Welfare Understanding Labour Welfare in India and Beyond Shubham Kashyap Kalita

2. Concept of Labour Welfare Labour welfare: taking care of workers’ well-being by employers, unions, government & NGOs. Oxford: 'Efforts to make life worth living for workmen.' ILO: Facilities & services for healthy, congenial surroundings & high morale. Examples: • Free meals in factories • Housing schemes • Health checkups for workers

3. Philosophy of Labour Welfare Early labour laws safeguarded employers, guided by laissez-faire. Modern laws protect workers against exploitation. Welfare State philosophy replaced laissez-faire. Example: Factories Act, 1948 ensures worker health, safety & welfare.

4. Approaches to Labour Law & Industrial Relations • WWII Philadelphia Charter (1944): 'Labour is not a commodity.' • Shift from contract → status (Supreme Court in D.N. Banerji v. P.R. Mukherjee). • Constitution ensures living wages, humane conditions & social security. Diagram: Labour Law Approach → Employer’s Social Duty → Worker Protection → Industrial Harmony

5. Theories of Labour Welfare Seven Major Theories: 1. Police Theory 2. Religious Theory 3. Philanthropic Theory 4. Trusteeship Theory 5. Placating Theory 6. Public Relations Theory 7. Functional Theory

6. Police Theory • State compels employers to provide minimum welfare. • Based on assumption that employers exploit workers. Example: Minimum Wages Act, 1948. Illustration: Govt. → Coercion → Employers → Provide welfare facilities

7. Religious Theory • Welfare motivated by religious beliefs & atonement. • Welfare seen as 'investment' or 'atonement'. Example: Charitable hospitals, temple schools. Illustration: Employer’s religious belief → Welfare measures → Worker benefit

8. Philanthropic Theory • Based on love for mankind & compassion. • Employer provides welfare voluntarily. Example: Tata providing housing & schools in Jamshedpur. Illustration: Compassion → Welfare programs → Worker satisfaction

9. Trusteeship Theory • Employer as trustee of property & profits. • Workers are like minors needing protection. Example: Gandhian Trusteeship model. Diagram: Employer → Property & Profits → Shared with Workers & Society

10. Placating Theory • Welfare provided to pacify workers & avoid unrest. • More tactical than genuine. Example: Bonus payments before strikes. Flow: Worker demands ↑ → Employer gives welfare → Temporary peace

11. Public Relations Theory • Welfare used as advertisement & goodwill. • Enhances relations with workers & public. Example: Infosys corporate social responsibility initiatives. Illustration: Welfare schemes → Public goodwill → Better brand image

12. Functional (Efficiency) Theory • Welfare improves efficiency & productivity. • Healthy, satisfied workers = more production. Example: Google providing free meals, gyms & work flexibility. Diagram: Welfare → Motivation ↑ → Efficiency ↑ → Productivity ↑