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Joint Committee set up by Govt of India in Govt. printing presses
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Tata start Joint Committee in Tata Iron & Steel Works, Jamshedpur
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Royal Commission on Labour
It recommended Works Committees saying they could play a useful role in the Indian Industrial System but failed to make a law enforcing the same. -
Industrial Disputes Act legally enforces Works Commissions
Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, Section 3: Required employers employing more than 100 workers to constitute works committees of a maximum of 20 members. Promoted amity between workers and management; provided conflict resolution framework; gave workers a forum for self-expression. Emphasis was on improving productivity rather than actually encouraging participation. Councils reduced mandays lost due to strikes but soon stopped functioning altogether. -
IPR Moots JMCs
The Industrial Policy Resolution adopted by the Government in 1956 stipulated that workers should be asked to participate in development. A tripartite (Industry, Government, Labour) committee selected the following criteria:
1) Well-established trade union
2) Willingness to experiment with JMCs
3) At least 500 employees
4) Management part of Employer's Organization; labour part of union
5) Good record of IR -
JMC: Model Agreement
An All India Seminar held in Delhi creates a model agreement to be signed between management and workers to set up JMCs. It was to be voluntary and consultative in nature. JMCs were restricted from raising issues that fell under the domain of Trade Unions (See 1959 Works Committee rules) -
ILC specifies functions of Works Committees
17th Indian Labour Conference. Functions include:
Work conditions (Lighting, Toilets), Amenities (Drinking water, Canteens), Safety, Adjustment of Holidays (not increase in number), Welfare, Educational/Recreational activities, Promotion of savings; implementation and review of Works Committee decisions. Functions exclude:
Wages; Bonuses/Profit Sharing; Workloads and Layoffs; Planning and development; Victimization for Trade Unionism; Quantum of leave; PF and other retirement benefits. -
Worker's Participation in Banks
During nationalization of banks, provisions were made for the appointment of a Workman Director and a Director representing the Officers' cadre of each bank. Union and Associaion of Officers to nominate this member. -
Emergency and Amendment
Worker's Participation at Shop Floor and Plant Level:
1. Mining, Manufacturing, Public or Private, irrespective of other Joint Consultative Machineries.
2. > 500 workers
3. Equal number of workers and management reps; # decided through consensus (not voting)
4. Meet once a month; all councils together formed a Joint Council, meet once a quarter, CM was CEO.
5. Two-way communication with creative suggestions from workers welcomed. -
Worker's Participation in Service/Commercial Organizations
Eg: Hospitals, Post, Railways, Fair Price Shops, Docks etc. that have large-scale public dealings.
1. 100+ workers
2. Unit councils and Joint Council; similar principles as the 1975 scheme
3. Special emphasis on prevention of pilferage and corruption. Both schemes generated enthusiasm, but this died off by 1979 due to Management indifference and lack of results from actions of the Councils. -
Participation of Workers in Management Bill, 1990
1) From schemes to legislative back up
2) All Industries (as defined in IDA) come under law; State and Central Govt. jurisdiction split according to IDA
3) Provision to make any number of schemes covering three levels: Shop, Plant and Management.
4) Equal no. of workmen and managers
5) Board of Management: 13% workmen's reps, 12% other workers
6) Contravening the act is punishable by law (2 years imprisonment)
7) A tripartite monitoring committee is also to be set up to
