Page 18 - DMGT406_HUMAN_RESOURCE_MANAGEMENT

Unit 1: Understanding the Nature and Scope of Human Resource Management

with Scientific Management by incorporating individuality in the selection, study and motivation Notes
of employees.

Major Areas of Welfare Work

Efforts were made in 19th and early 20th centuries to improve the working conditions of the
factory workers. The welfare work movement became widespread during this period. Welfare
work, like Scientific Management, was an attempt at a more systematic approach to labour
problems. It has been defined as anything done for the comfort and improvement, intellectual
or social, of the employees over and above wages paid, which is not the necessity of industry,
not required by law. The primary purpose of welfare work included:
1. Averting industrial conflict and unionization
2. The promotion of good management and worker relations
3. The efforts to increase workers' productivity and reduce turnover

Around 1900 AD, some industries in the US hired welfare secretaries to administer welfare
programs.
Welfare measures included:

1. Enable workers to have a richer and more satisfactory life.
2. Raise the standard of living of the workers.
3. Absorb the shocks injected by industrialization and urbanization on workers.
4. Promote sense of belonging among workers, prevents absenteeism, labour turnover,
strike, etc.
5. Prevent social evils like drinking, gambling, prostitution, etc.

Major Developments during this Stage

1881-1891 Factories Act of 1881 and 1891 was passed showing concern for the worker's welfare.
These acts were limited to working hours of women and children.
1919 All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was formed.
International Labour Organisation was established as an autonomous organ of
the League of Nations in 1919. It has its headquarters at International Labour Office
in Geneva, Switzerland. The main objectives of social justice include:
(a) It adopted an International Labour Convention and recommended to protect
the worker's claims in the event of the insolvency of their employer.
(b) It elaborated resolutions on the role of enterprises in employment growth,
employment policy as a component of overall development and the rights of
migrant workers.
1931 In order to improve the conditions of workers, the Royal Commission on Labour
(J H Whitley Commission) recommended to abolish Jobber System, appoint labour
officers and introduce Works Committees. Later Section 3(1) of Industrial Dispute
Act, 1947 has provided for Works Committee and Section 49 of the Factories Act,
1948 made a provision for the appointment of Labour Welfare Officers in all the
units with worker strength of 500 or more. These provisions are already
implemented.

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