Voluntary Labour Welfare Schemes: Measures adopted by Garment Export Units in Bangalore, India

Abstract

Labour welfare schemes whether statutory or non-statutory fosters a healthy and safe work place environment for the labor that keeps the motivation levels high. The various welfare measures provided by the employer have an immediate impact on the health, physical and mental ability of the workers which in turn displays higher productivity and efficiency at the workplace (Tiwari, November 2014). As garment manufacturing process is mostly labour driven, implementation of labour welfare schemes are very essential for a sustainable business. The welfare measures, influences the sentiments of the workers, thus leading to industrial peace. Measures toward safe work place environment leads to reduced risk and work related injuries thus increasing work place confidence and satisfaction. A healthy workplace place leads to a healthy work force both physically and mentally thus reducing labour turnover and absenteeism. In addition to statutory labour welfare measures, non-statutory (voluntary) welfare measures play an important role as a compensation for the work. Non-statutory welfare brings in a sense of loyalty and gratitude among the workers that motivate them to stick to the organization and work hard. This paper is an attempt to understand the voluntary welfare measures adopted by the garment manufacturing units in Bangalore (Southern part of India) in the wake of serious labour scarcity faced by the industry.