WORKERS MOVEMENT.pptx political science minor

Political minor presentation, 3rd semester

1. WORKERS MOVEMENT INDIAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS PROJECT

2. INTRODUCTION Who do we categorise as workers? People work for earning their livelihood. A person who is involved in production activity contributing to the flow of goods and services in the economy is called a worker. In other words, a worker is regarded as an economic agent who contributes to the production of goods and services, thereby, to the GDP during a particular year. A worker renders services to others and receives rewards in the form of wages, salaries or in kind. Hence, we can say that when an individual is engaged in a production activity or self employed and contributes to the generation of GDP, then, that person is referred to as a worker. For example, a doctor, an engineer working in a factory, etc.

3. HISTORY OF LABOUR FORCE An industrial labor force emerged in South Asia, mostly in current India, in the second half of the 19th century, and continued to expand in the 20th century. New export-oriented industries created employment for many workers, many of them migrants from often remote rural areas, and mostly men. Despite this growth, the labor force structure did not “transform”. Industry never employed more than 10 per cent of the labor force, and only a proportion of that was employed in large-scale enterprise. Rates of urbanization remained moderate. Agriculture continued to employ three-quarters of workers, and many industrial workers kept a foothold in the agrarian economy.

4. TYPES OF SECTORS Organised sector It is a sector where the employment terms are fixed and regular, and the employees get assured work. The job is regular and has fixed working hours. If people work more, they get paid for the overtime by the employer. Workers enjoy the security of employment. Government employees, Government schools and colleges, Registered industrial workers, Banks are a few examples. Unorganised sector The unorganized sector is characterized by small and scattered units, which are largely outside the control of the government. Jobs are low-paid and often not regular. Employment is not secure. People can be asked to leave without any reason. Examples: Shopkeeping, Farming, Domestic works, etc.

5. TYPES OF SECTORS Tertiary Sector This sector contributes the largest in terms of share in GDP in India. The sector is also the service sector and is important when you consider the development of the other two sectors. Like the previous sector, this sector also adds the value to the products. This sector is responsible for employing 23 percentage of the workforce out of the total workforce currently working in India. Secondary Sector This sector is dependent on the natural ingredients which are used to create the services and products offered and which at the end are used for consumption. In terms of value added to the products and services, this sector is the best sector. The major examples that fall under this category are transportation and manufacturing . Primary Sector This is the sector which is largely dependent on the availability of natural resources in order to manufacture the goods and also to execute various processes. The best example to discuss in this sector is the agriculture sector. The other examples in this sector include fishing and forestry, but agriculture accounts for the largest in this sector.  

6. Problems and Demands Workers movement

7. Better working conditions Workers have always been exploited in terms of no provision for basic rights such as fixed or limited hours of working , social security schemes ,pensions, minimum leaves and moreover female workers were asked for personal favors which leads to workplace harassment.   Poor working conditions where workers are subjected to dangerous working environments where they are risked to injury and even death . For example, mine workers have to work in inhumane conditions which even leads to their death . Workers in time of need sometimes takes loan from their master and this leads to further financial burden as when they are not able to pay the loan on time they are not only exploited but also forced to work under poor conditions because of the debt and their wages are also delayed.  

8. Discrimination Discrimination on workplace is a major problem . It can be on basis of colour , caste , gender, race , religion etc . However, Discrimination on the basis of gender is majorly seen. Women workers are not paid equally to male workers . They are even not provided with maternity leaves and further benefits.  Also , favorism   is a major problem . Sometimes employees who have connections and are related to higher authorities in some or the other way are given priority over other eligible and hardworking aspirants . In informal sector, workers have no job security and can be replaced any moment so they work for low wages and are always in fear of losing their jobs. They even can’t oppose this due to availability of large labour workforce as their replacement is easy. 

9. Demands of workers movements Workers movements which takes place from time to time are always against the exploitation they face and for their rights such as availability of clean drinking water , low wages,  safe and secure environments , social security schemes , provision for pension , provident fund , limited working hours , training of workers to work in difficult environments , provision of maternity leaves for female workers etc . To raise voice against such exploitation and Discrimination various workers movements have took place and have bought a change in society.

10. Voices For Change Anganwadi Protests Shaping The Future

11. Who are Anganwadi Workers? The government of India started in 1975 an Integrated Child Development Services under which the Anganwadi ( rural child care centre ) centres were established. Since it’s inception, these centres have become an integral part of the Indian healthcare system and has helped to combat issues like malnutrition, child hunger, maternity help, contraceptive education, pre school activities, immunization, health education and many more. By involving only women in the workforce, the initiative believes in promoting gender equality and empowering women to become agents of change in their communities. It helps them to become self dependent and to contribute in their family’s growth.

12. Where is the problem, then? The protests by Anganwadi workers have been ongoing for several years, with different instances of protests taking place at different times in various regions. Problems- Low and delayed wages, unfair working hours, lack of social security benefits, inadequate infrastructure and resources, lack of skill development and training, and most importantly lack of social recognition and respect. Several other reasons make the  Anganwadi workers’ movement rather unique. The most distinctive challenge of this ‘all-women’ workforce, spread across the country, is the need to be recognized as ‘workers’, not as “volunteers”. They are offered an ‘honorarium’ working as a volunteer which is not a decent return for the functions they carry out.

13. Reforms For Consideration In order to maintain the efficiency of the workers, we need to recognise their demands. Complaints regarding delayed and low wages, lack of appropriate infrastructure and resources, non- availability of social security benefits (insurance, pension etc) should be addressed. Considering them as “Workers” who also have certain expectations to earn and sustain their families and not as mere “Volunteers” should be promoted. Early childhood development is not valued much, this notion should be changed. Anganwadi workers and the whole system is an integral part of India’s Rural Healthcare System. Loosing them can have an unbearable cost on the whole country.

14. SEWA SELF EMPLOYED WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

15. In many countries, there are legal restrictions or limitations on the right to strike for certain essential service employees. This is often based on the recognition that the impact of strikes in these sectors can be severe and have far-reaching consequences. It's important to note that the approach to the right to strike in essential services varies between countries and is influenced by their respective legal systems, labour relations practices, and societal values. Ultimately, striking a balance between protecting workers' rights and ensuring the functioning of essential services is a challenging task for policymakers and requires careful consideration of all relevant factors.

16. Essential Services Maintenance Act ESMA is an  act of Parliament of India which was established to ensure the delivery of certain services, which if obstructed would affect the normal life of the people. This include services like  public transport (bus services) ,  health services (doctors and hospitals) .  The ESMA is a law made by the  Parliament of India  under List No. 33 in  Concurrent List  of 7th Schedule of  Constitution of India . Hence it maintains national uniformity by providing minimum conditions of essential services across the nation. For any violations in specific regions,  State governments  alone or together with other state government can enforce their respective act. Each state has a separate state  Essential Services Maintenance Act  with slight variations from the central law in its provisions. Hence, in case the nature of strike disrupts only a state or states, then the states can invoke it. In case of disruption on a national scale, especially railways, the ESMA 1968 can be invoked by central government.

17. ESMA is imposed to prevent unnecessary strikes. If the employees of any important department indulge in the strike and the government rejects their demands and urges them to end the strike, but employees don’t end their strike then the concerned government takes action against them under ESMA provisions. Which Services are covered under the ESMA? ( i ) Any service in any defence establishment of the Government of India; (ii) any postal, telephone service or telegraph; (iii) any railway service or any other transport service for the carriage of passengers or goods by air, land, or water with respect to which Parliament has the power to make laws; (iv) Any service connected with the movement or storage, loading & unloading of goods in any port,
(v) any service connected with the operation or maintenance of aerodromes, or with the repair or maintenance of aircraft and its operation;
(vi) any service in any mint or security press;
(vii) any service in connection with the affairs of the Union. (viii) any service connected with the clearance of goods or passengers through the customs or with the prevention of smuggling. Punishment under ESMA:
1. If the employee goes on strike after the implementation of ESMA, then it is illegal and punishable. After the enforcement of ESMA under the Criminal Procedure 1898 (5 of 1898), any employee may be arrested by any police officer without a warrant.

2. This act also states that if overtime work is required to maintain any essential service, the employee cannot deny it.

3. Any person who incites other persons to participate in the strike shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term of one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.

4. Any person who deliberately gives financial support to a strike which is illegal under this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one- year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or both.

18. THANK YOU By: NEHAL JAIN SANVI KAPOOR SHREEYA RATHORE SAUMYA BHARDWAJ ZOHA NASIR SURBHI KUMARI PRAGATI RADHIKA AGARWAL MANYA JAIN RICHA SEEPAL SALONI