Labour Welfare Concept and Theories

In this post, we are providing notes on Industrial relations and labour laws – Labour Welfare Concept and Theories.

Labour Welfare Concept and Theories

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Labor welfare refers to the various measures undertaken by employers to improve the working conditions, safety, health, and overall well-being of their employees. The objective of labor welfare is to ensure that workers are satisfied and motivated in their jobs, which can lead to increased productivity and better performance.

Some examples of labor welfare measures include providing clean and safe working conditions, offering healthcare benefits, providing opportunities for professional development and training, offering paid time off, implementing fair and equitable compensation and benefits policies, and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

The concept of labor welfare is based on the idea that workers are not just mere resources but rather human beings with social and emotional needs. As such, employers have a responsibility to take care of their employees beyond just providing them with a paycheck.

Definition of Labour Welfare

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), labor welfare refers to “such services, facilities, and amenities which may be established in, or in the vicinity of, undertakings to enable the persons employed in them to perform their work in healthy, congenial surroundings and to provide them with amenities conducive to good health and high morale.”

The ILO emphasizes that labor welfare measures should not be considered as mere acts of charity, but rather as essential investments in human resources that can lead to greater job satisfaction, higher productivity, and better overall economic and social development. The ILO also emphasizes that labor welfare measures should be implemented in consultation with workers and their representatives, and that they should be adapted to the specific needs and circumstances of each workplace and workforce.

Theories of Labour Welfare

There are 7 principles for the conceptual Framework of welfare of Labour.

The Theory of Religion –

Religious sentiments and empathy motivate an employer to involve in various welfare activities so that he can get emancipation in future in this life or in the life of afterwards.

The Theory of Trusteeship or Paternalistic Theory –

According to the theory, the industrialist or the owner of an establishment who holds the total estate has its profits and properties in the form of a trust.

• Properties and profit are used by employer only.
• Properties and profit are used by both employer and employee.

The Theory of Bringing Peace OR Placating Theory –

According to the theory, the periodical activities for the welfare of the workers in an industry can be introduced.

• These act may be called as a kind of pacifiers and friendly gesture in an industry.
• Hence, it is essential to take up timely efforts for the welfare of the labour class to appease the workers.
• In this type of management, the employer offers a relaxation or offering to appease the labour and hence the demand of better standard of living and higher wages may get ignored now by the owner of the industry. Sincerity is also lacking from owner side.

The Theory of Philanthropy –

It is based on the belief that man has natural instinctive urge to strive for the removal of the suffering of other and their well-being.

• The employer has to promote his policies towards the well-being and welfare of his workers.

The Theory of Policy/ Policing –

The theory of Policy is based upon the notion that for the welfare and well-being of the labours, a minimum standard is essential. Here, the presumption is that in the absence of a policy and without any compulsion, the employers will never make provisions for the workers even for minimum facilities.

• Obviously, in this theory, assumption is made that man is a self-centred and selfish being.

The Theory of Function/Efficiency –

The welfare work acts as a means to preserve, develop and secure the productivity and efficiency of the working class. It is clear that the workers will become more efficient and skilful if the employer takes care of his worker.

The Theory of Public Relation –

In this theory, such a provision is made to create an atmosphere of goodwill between the management of the industry and the labour class and also between the public and the management. The programmes would act as a kind of advertisement in support of an organisation that would help in the projection of the good image of the industry which will help to promote healthy and good public relations.