Labour Welfare Benefits-more needs to be done for Women Construction Workers

Transcription

1 Global Journal of Management and Business Studies. ISSN Volume 3, Number 10 (2013), pp Research India Publications Labour Welfare Benefits-more needs to be done for Women Construction Workers S. Tikoo 1, J. Gupta 2, and Meenu 3 1 Deparment of Home Science, Arya P.G. College, India 2 Department of Commerce, Arya P.G. College, India 3 Deparment of Home Science, Arya P.G. College, India Abstract Labour welfare benefits are the combinations of all efforts to make life worth living for the worker. These play an important role in contributing to well- being, prosperity and satisfaction of worker. Women workers constitute a major portion in the workforce in the construction industry and they are not only unorganized but also unskilled as compared to male construction workers. Mostly women are at the bottom and there is lack of comprehensive legislation and minimum facilities at work place. So the present study was undertaken to find out the labour welfare benefits provided by the contactors of the construction sites and to find out the women construction workers availing the benefits given by Haryana Labor Welfare Board. A total sample of 600 women construction workers was selected from four districts of Haryana. The data were collected with the help of pretested interview schedule. It was reported by majority of the women construction workers that there was no crèche (99.16%), separate toilet (98.83%) and canteen facility (98.5%). Nearly 53 per cent of women construction workers reported that labour welfare benefits were not at all suitable to them. The study showed that situation was depressing due to lack of adequate social security and welfare measures. Keywords: Welfare, women, workers, unorganized, construction.

2 1110 S. Tikoo et al 1. Introduction Labour welfare benefits are the combinations of all efforts to make life worth living for the worker. These play an important role in contributing to well- being, prosperity and satisfaction of worker. These help to preserve the health and safety of workers and also maintain their morale. With these benefits, workers will be increasingly adapted to their work which will reduce the absenteeism and labour turnover in the industries. Labour welfare benefits are the fundamental requirements of industrial development and economy because these give contentment and happiness in a way which even a good wage cannot give. These will also give the employers an image of caring and responsible employer. The earlier view of considering labour nothing more than a factor of production had changed over the years and now the welfare of the workers holds a place of importance in the minds of every employer because satisfied worker will give quicker and faster services resulting in greater beneficial gains for the employers. Construction workers account for a large share of India s working population next to agriculture sector. The construction work is going up due to several government and private projects. Construction workers are informally employed because majority of the construction sites are of temporary nature and once the construction is completed at one site, it no more requires construction workers. Women workers constitute a major portion in the workforce in the construction industry and they are not only unorganized but also unskilled as compared to male construction workers. Mostly women are at the bottom. There is lack of comprehensive legislation and absence of minimum facilities and social security at work place (Henley et. al, 2006).There is lack of documented empirical evidence on issues relating to labour welfare benefits provided to women construction workers. The present study will help in addressing these issues and developing policies aimed at protecting the rights and safety of women construction workers. The present study was undertaken with the following objectives in mind: 1. To study the personal parameters of women construction workers. 2. To find out the labour welfare benefits provided by the contactors of the construction sites. 3. To find out the women construction workers availing the benefits given by Haryana Labor Welfare Board. 2. Methodology A multistage purposive sampling design was followed to select the study area, construction sites and women construction workers. The present study was carried out in, Faridabad, Ambala and district. Only those construction sites were selected where women workers were employed. A total sample of 600 women construction workers was selected. The data were collected with the help of pre-tested interview schedule. Women construction workers were the key informants.

3 Labour Welfare Benefits-more needs to be done for Women Construction Results and Discussion 3.1 Personal Parameters Table 1: Age, education and marital status. Personal Parameters Faridabad Ambala N=600 F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%) Age (Years) (56.0) 88 (58.7) 91 (60.7) 88 (58.7) 351 (58.5) (30.0) 54 (36.0) 52 (34.7) 54 (36.0) 205 (34.2) (14.0) 8 (5.3) 7 (4.6) 8 (5.3) 44 (7.3) Mean S.D 6.30 Education Illiterate 85 (56.7) 95 (63.3) 91 (60.7) 88 (58.7) 359 (59.9) Primary 43 (28.7) 45 (30.0) 41 (27.3) 41 (27.3) 170 (28.3) Middle 22(14.6) 10 (6.7) 18 (12.0) 21 (14) 71 (11.8) It can be seen from Table 1 that the mean age of women construction workers was years. Maximum percentage (58.5%) of women construction workers were in the age group ranging from years followed by years (34.2%). Only 7.3% were in the age group of years. Location-wise data did not show much variation in age group. It can be seen that majority of the women construction workers were found to be young. The participation of the women in construction work at a very young age is the indicator of economic backwardness, poverty & miserable status of construction women workers. Data pertaining to educational status showed that almost 60 per cent of the women construction workers were illiterate with more percentage of respondents from Faridabad district (63.3%). More than one-fourth of the sample respondents (28.3%) were educated up to primary level. Educational status up to middle level was reported by 11.8 per cent with more percentage of respondents from district (14.6%). The educational status of female workers was very low which had made them vulnerable to various forms of exploitation. Hence there is a need to give attention to the education of women on priority basis as it has direct link with their empowerment status.

4 1112 S. Tikoo et al 3.2 Provision of Labour Welfare Benefits Table 2: Labour welfare benefits at work place. Charact Faridabad Ambala N=600 eristics Y N Y N Y N Y N Y N of Labor Welfare Benefits F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%) Rest rooms (53.3) (46.7) (28) (72) (24) (76) (28) (72) (33.3) (66.6) Drinking water (34.7) (65.3) (80.7) (19.3) (44) (56) (36.7) (63.3) (49) (51) Resident 142(9 8 (5.3) (4.0) (4.0) ial 4.7) (96.0) (96.0) (92.7) (7.3) (94.9) (5.1) Canteen 1 (0.7) 149(9 7 (4.7) 143 0(0) (0.7) ) (95.3) (99.3) (1.5) (98.5) Crèche 4 (2.7) 146(9 1 (0.7) (0) (0) ( ) (99.3) (0.83) 16) Separate 6 (4) (0) (0.7) (0) toilets Hand washing facility 54 (36) (96) 96 (64) Loan 15 (10) 135 (90) Financial 3 (2) 147 assistance (98) Providen t fund (62) (38) Revision of wages (64) (36) Provisio (7 n of (28.7) 1.3) PPEs Transpor t facility 11 (7.3) 139 (92.7) 70 (46.7) 80 (53.3) 40 (26.7) (99.3) 110 (73.3) 34 (22.7) 116 (77.3) (1.1) 198 (33) (98.83) 402 (67) 2 (1.3) 148 (98.7) 15 (10) 135 (90) 3 (2) 147 (98) 35 (5.8) 565 (94.1) 6 (4) (0.7) (1.3) (2) 588 (96) (99.3) (98.7) (98) (18) (82) (6.7) (93.3) (9.3) (90.7) (24) (76) (77.3) (22.7) (35.3) (64.7) (20.7) (79.3) (49.3) (50.6) 8 (5.3) (0.7) (94.7) (8.7) (91.3) (99.3) (10.8) (89.1) 3 (2) 147 (98) 8 (5.3) 142 (94.7) 0 (0) (3.6) 578 (96.3)

5 Labour Welfare Benefits-more needs to be done for Women Construction 1113 Medical facility Injury benefits Maternity benefits Group insurance Safety training Festival bonus 13 (8.7) 49 (32.7) 50 (32.9) 137 (91.3) 101 (67.3) 100 (67.1) 12 (8) 138 (92) (13.3) (86.7) (49.3) (50.7) 9 (6) (4.7) (94) (11.7) (88.7) (95.3) (7.66) (4.7) (2.7) (18) (82) (95.3) (97.3) (14.5) (6) (26.7) (73.3) (96) (10.7) (89.3) (19.1 6) (4) (0) (22) (78) (96) (8.5) (0.7) (25.5) (74.7) (7.3) (92.7) (99.3) (11.66) (5 (71.3) (28.7) (52.7) (47.3) (41.3) (58.7) 3.66) 554 (92.3) 513 (85.5) 485 (80.8) 549 (91.5) 530 (88.3) 278 (46.3) Majority of the women construction workers reported that there was no crèche (99.1%), separate toilet (98.8%) and canteen facility (98.5%). Ninety-eight per cent reported no financial assistance to the family members in case of death of worker. It was reported by 96.3 per cent of the respondents that there was no transport facility for reaching from home to work place & vice-versa. Residential accommodation was provided to 94.9 per cent of women construction workers with significantly higher percentage in Faridabad and Ambala district (96% each). Housing/educational/ marriage and consumption loan were not reported to be provided to 94.1 per cent of the respondents. It was reported by 92.3 per cent of the workers that there was no medical facility in any form i.e. physical examination/reimbursement of medical bills/free medicine/first aid. No group insurance reported to be provided by 91.5% per cent of respondents and only 8.5% of the respondents were availing this benefit with more percentage of respondents from Faridabad district (22%). PPEs from employer were not reported to be provided to 89.1 per cent of respondents and only 10.8 per cent reported of these being provided by employer with more percentage of respondents from district (28.7%). It was reported by 88.3 per cent of respondents that they were not provided any safety training whereas about 12 per cent reported of having this training with 25.5 per cent of respondents from Faridabad district. It was reported by 85.5 per cent of respondents that they were not provided any benefit in any occupational injury whereas 14.5 per cent reported of having this benefit with 32.7 per cent of respondents from district. It was reported by 80.8 per cent of women construction workers that no maternity benefits were provided to them whereas 19.1percent reported of having this with higher percentage from district (32.9%). Seventy- six per cent reported that there was no provision of provident fund whereas 24 per cent reported that there was provision of provident fund at their work sites with higher percentage from district (62%). About 67 per cent each reported that there was no hand washing with higher percentage from district (77.3%) and rest room facility (66.6%) with

6 1114 S. Tikoo et al higher percentage from Ambala district (76%). It was reported by per cent of respondents that festival bonus was given to them with significantly higher percentage from Faridabad district (71.3%) whereas 46 per cent reported of not having this. Fiftyone per cent reported that there was no drinking water facility (Tap/hand pump) with maximum percentage from Faridabad district (80.7%). Revision of wages was not reported by per cent whereas per cent reported of having it with maximum percentage from Faridabad district (77.3%). Suitability of Labour Welfare Benefits Table 3: Suitability of labour welfare benefits. Ambala Faridabad N=600 Not Suitable 30 (20.0) 15 (10.0) 122 (81.3) 149 (99.3) 316 (52.7) Less Suitable 120 (80.0) 135 (90.0) 28(18.7) 1 (0.7) 284 (47.3) Nearly 53 per cent of women construction workers reported that labour welfare benefits were not at all suitable whereas 47.3 per cent reported these as less suitable. Benefits Given by Haryana Labor Welfare Board For marriage of daughter For disability of worker Widow allowance School uniforms/statio nary and scholarship for children Table 4: Availing of benefits given by Haryana Labor Welfare Board. N= 150 Faridabad Ambala * N = 600 Y N Y N Y N Y N Y N F(% F(%) F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%) F (%) ) 3( (1.3) (2.7) ) (98.0) (98.7) (97.3) (3.3) (96.7) (2.3) (97.7) (2.7) (1.3) (2.0) (98.0) (97.3) (98.7) (2.7) (97.3) (2.1) (97.9) (1.3) (3.3) (6.0) (94.0) (98.7) (96.7) (8.0) (92.0) (4.7) (95.3) (1.3) 148( (0.3) ) (99.7)

7 Labour Welfare Benefits-more needs to be done for Women Construction 1115 Labour award 1 (.7) 149 (99.3) (0.1) 599(9 9.9) *Multiple Responses Almost cent per cent of the respondents reported that they had not availed the facility of free school uniform/stationary and scholarship for children and labour award. About 98 per cent of the respondents reported that they never availed the benefits for disability of the worker, followed by the marriage of daughter (97.7%) and widow allowance (95.3%). District wise data did not show much variation. Table 5: Injury of workers children in case of absence of crèche. Injury of Women Workers Children in Case of Absence of Creche Ambala Faridabad N = 600 Yes 44 (29.3) 36 (24.0) 40 (26.7) 45 (30.0) 165 (27.5) No 106 (70.7) 114 (76.0) 110 (73.3) 105 (70.5) 435 (72.5) It was reported by 72.5 per cent of respondents that their children did not suffer from any injury in the absence of crèche whereas 27.5 respondents children suffered from the injuries at work place. Lack of Trade Union Representation Decreases the Opportunity to Exercise Basic Rights Table 5: Lack of trade union representation decreases the opportunity to exercise basic rights. Faridabad Ambala N = 600 ` 107 (71.3) 85 (56.7) 100 (66.7) 148 (98.7) 440 (73.3) No 43 (28.7) 65 (43.3) 50 2 (1.3) 160 (26.7) (33.3) Fighting for the rights Yes 1 (0.7) - 2 (1.3) 149 (99.3) 152 (25.3)

8 1116 S. Tikoo et al No 149 (99.3) (98.7) 1 (0.7) 448 (74.7) It was reported by 73.3 per cent of women construction workers that lack of trade union representation decreases the opportunity to exercise basic rights whereas 26.7 per cent did not think like this. Nearly three- fourth of the women construction workers reported that they had never fought for their rights, whereas one-fourth did fight for their rights. Table 6: Inspection by the labour officer. Inspection by the Labour Officer Faridabad Ambala N = 600 Yes (98.0) (99.5) No (2.0) - 3 (0.5) Almost cent per cent of the respondents reported that there were inspections by labour inspectors. The situation was depressing due to lack of adequate social security and welfare measures. These women construction workers were too weak to revolt due to destitute, poverty, illiteracy, ignorance and social structure, etc. Women workers have the every right to demand proper safeguards for life and health because like other workers they also spend more than quarter of their life in their work place. 4. Conclusions 1. One percent of the total project cost should be spent on the welfare of the workers which can be utilized in the times of emergencies. 2. Arrangement for speedy and better delivery of medical assistance to the workers should be made. 3. The welfare services should improve the working and living conditions of the workers and their families because workers welfare cannot be achieved in isolation so arrangement for better accommodation and crèche should be made. 5. Acknowledgements The investigator is highly thankful to University Grants Commission for providing financial assistance to carry on this research project.

9 Labour Welfare Benefits-more needs to be done for Women Construction 1117 References [1] Anonymous (2013) Women workers cycle power. Cited from [2] A Henley, G R Arabsheibani, and F G Carneiro, (2006). On Defining and Measuring the Informal Sector. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper, 3866 [3] S Juan (2001) Report on Reducing the Decent Work Deficit: A Global Challenge. Proceedings of ILO Conference. [4] M. Verghese (2010), Labour welfare and social security Cited from shodhgana.inflibnet.ac.in.

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