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Welfare Measures and its impact on the tea garden labourer:
A study in Tinsukia District of Assam Sangita Mahanta
1
Girimallika Sarma2
Abstract
Assam is the biggest producer of quality tea in India, contributing about 55 per cent to
country’s total tea production and this tea industry is the contribution of Britishers. Tea garden
labours of Assam were picked from different parts of the country especially from Bihar,
Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal by the Britishers and they are considered to be historically
disadvantaged and exploited section of the society. But with time, govt of India has passed a
number of legislations for promoting the interest of the disadvantaged group and the tea garden
labourers are also covered by certain laws. Apart from these statutory provisions, it has become
important for the employer to provide some non statutory benefit to keep up the morale of the
labourers since they are the key factor of production. Tinsukia district of Assam is considered as
the hub of tea production with the maximum number of tea-estates.
Key Words: Tea garden labourer, labour welfare, non statutory welfare scheme
Introduction:
Tea plantation occupies an important place in Assam in the categories of agriculture
based industries. In tea is grown both in the Brahmaputra and Barak Valley of Assam. Tea
gardens are mostly found in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Nagaon and
Sonitpur districts of the state. Assam is the biggest producer of quality tea in India, contributing
about 55 per cent to country’s total tea production. It is generally believed that the people of
Bodo tribe brought tea into Assam. But they produced for themselves and hardly took it outside
Assam. As pointed out by Bhuyan (1974) the tea plant was discovered in 1823 by Robert Bruce,
merchant and soldier of fortune, during his visit to Rongpur, where he was imprisoned by the
Burmese. A Singpho chief furnished Bruce with some plants. In 1824 Robert Bruce gave some
plants to his brother C. A. Bruce who handed them over to David Scott. Scott in turn gave a few
specimens to the Botanical Garden, Calcutta. The discovery of tea plant in Assam enabled the
East India Tea estate to develop a trade, which China had hitherto monopolized. Bruce was
appointed superintendent of the government tea forest, who in 1837 sent 46 boxes of Assam tea
to the tea committee. When, in 1824, Dr. N. Wallich of Botanical Garden identified these
specimens it was the beginning of the scientific study of tea in India. Dr. Wallich visited Assam
in 1834 and submitted his report in 1835.
The first Indian to start planting of tea was an Assamese nobleman Maniram Dutta
Barma, popularly known as Maniram Dewan. He was a Dewan of Assam Tea Company until
resigned in 1841 to start his own tea estate. He had two gardens at Jorhat and near Sonari. But
the British hanged him in 1858 for taking part in mutiny in 1857. After Maniram Dewan’s
pioneering efforts, many others, mostly Assamese, came forward to plant tea. Someswar Sharma
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya
became the first Indian superintendent of the tea industry of the Manband Tea Tea estate. After
independence things started changing. The British dominated industry changed hands. Although
the Jalans, Saharias, Ahmeds, Kanois, Darshan Lalls and few others were already there, the
reputed industrialists of India like the Birla, Poddar, Paul, Shetia, Rhuia and Tata amongst other
became the biggest producer of Assam tea. From 1823, the tea industry in Assam valley came a
long way. Today there are about six lakh tea garden workers engaged in 850 tea gardens (North
East Enquirer, 2002).
Tea Garden Labour of Assam
Tea industry, one of the biggest suppliers to the organized workforce, has significant
contribution to the economy of Assam with 17% of the workers of state are engaged in the tea
industry. Among the organized sector of employment, the tea garden labours of Assam are
possibly the most exploited class with the problems like low wages, poor housing, poor socio-
economic condition, illiteracy, over-crowded and unhygienic living conditions in the residential
colonies and lack of avenues for social mobility. The labour lines of tea garden possess
exceptional identity as it cannot be considered as an urban, industrial or rural area. Again they
are mostly contractual employees excluded from statutory benefits.
Labour Welfare Provisions and its need
Welfare, according to Friedlanter, ―Welfare is the organized system of social services and
institutions designed to aid individuals and groups to attain satisfying standard of life and health
and personal and social relationship which permit them to develop their full capacities and to
promote their well-being in harmony with the needs of their families and the community.
Labour welfare refers to such services, facilities and amenities which may be established
in, or in the vicinity of, undertakings to enable persons employed therein to perform their work in
healthy and congenial surroundings and to provide them with amenities conducive to good health
and good morals.
Labour, as a factor of production has certain characteristics that set it apart from others while
land and capital has no mind of their own, labour dose have it. The physical presence of labour
combines with his attitude carves out a special place for labour in the production process. The
attitude of labour toward the worker holds the key for his performance and unless a labour is
enthusiastic, committed and devoted, the fruit of his abilities innate acquired and developed
cannot be repeated. It can be said without any hesitation that all industrialist should realize that
―one can buy a man’s time the physical presence at a particular place , even few muscular
movements, but enthusiasm , initiatives, loyalty and devotion to duty cannot be bought‖. Labour
marks a distinction from other factors of production on two counts.
Labour welfare can be divided into two important types as:
a. Statutory Welfare Schemes: The statutory welfare schemes include the following
provisions i.e. Drinking Water, Facilities for sitting, First aid appliances, Latrines and
Urinals, Canteen facilities, Spittoons, Lighting, Washing places, Changing rooms, Rest
rooms
b. Non-Statutory Welfare Schemes: Non –statutory welfare measures are concerned to
those activities which are undertaken voluntarily by the employers to improve the morale
of the employees, maintain harmony, and improve efficiency of the employees in the
production, to compete with other organizations & to retain the employees. The non
statutory schemes differ from organization to organization and from industry to industry.
Such facilities may be training programmes, transport facilities, scholarship, library etc.
Many non statutory welfare schemes may include the following schemes:
1. Personal Health Care (Regular medical check-ups): Some of the companies
provide the facility for extensive health check-up.
2. Flexi-time: The main objective of the flextime policy is to provide opportunity to
employees to work with flexible working schedules. Flexible work schedules are
initiated by employees and approved by management to meet business
commitments while supporting employee personal life needs.
3. Employee Assistance Programs: Various assistant programs are arranged like
external counseling service so that employees or members of their immediate
family can get counseling on various matters.
4. Harassment Policy: To protect an employee from harassments of any kind,
guidelines are provided for proper action and also for protecting the aggrieved
employee.
5. Maternity & Adoption Leave – Employees can avail maternity or adoption leaves.
Paternity leave policies have also been introduced by various companies.
6. Medi-claim Insurance Scheme: This insurance scheme provides adequate
insurance coverage of employees for expenses related to hospitalization due to
illness, disease or injury or pregnancy.
7. Employee Referral Scheme: In several companies employee referral scheme is
implemented to encourage employees to refer friends and relatives for
employment in the organization.
Non Statutory benefits in Tea Gardens
1. School Bus: Some tea estates provide school buses for the school going children
of staff & workers to attend high schools in the nearby towns.
2. Cowherd for workers & Staff: Many estates provide cowherd to the workers&
staff so that cows reared by them can be looked after during working hours.
3. Tea ration to the workers: Workers & Staff get tea ration free of cost every month
(Fixed Quantity).
4. Liquid Tea: Workers are provided with liquid tea mixed with salt & drinking
water twice a day on the worksite.
5. Welfare Centers: many estates have welfare centers which impart soft skills such
as knitting, stitching to workers children.
6. Mother Club: Many estates maintain mother’s club. The volunteers educate the
workers on health & hygiene.
7. Cultural Programmes: Many estates help financially the workers for indigenous
cultural programs such as ―Karam‖, ―Durgapuja‖ etc.
8. Entertainments: Estates arrange cinema shows to the workers, 1 (one) show per
month during November – March every year. Also provide sports facilities such
as football, volleyball, cricket, carom board, TV etc.
9. Firewood: Every permanent workers family gets 219 cft firewood / year or
equivalent money for cooking.
10. Ration to Children: As per the law subsidized ration (Rice + atta) is not required
to be given to permanent workers children who have crossed 15 years of Age.
However school going children above 15 years are to be given subsidized ration.
Tinsukia, the oldest industrial district of Assam, is situated in upper part of the state surrounded
by Arunachal Pradesh, Demaji and Dibrugarh. According to 2011 census the district has a
population of 1,316,948 and occupies an area of 3,790 square kilometers. The district produces a
sizeable amount of tea, oranges, ginger, other citrus fruits and paddy. It I also loded with natural
gas and oil and it has the oldest oil fild of the country
Here in this present study, an attempt has been made to examine the non statutory provisions
provided to the tea garden labourers of Tinsukia district of Assam. This is an empirical study and
data used here has been collected from the beneficiaries through interview.
Objectives of the Study
To study about the various non statutory welfare measures extended in the Tea estate.
To find out whether the workers have awareness of the existing non-statutory welfare
measures.
To study whether non statutory welfare measures helps to retain the working members in
the industry.
Methodology
Research Design
The type of research design used in this research is descriptive in nature and the required
data is generated using a research instrument called the interview schedule.
The collected data is analyzed using the various statistical tools. And after analyzing the
data the general and specific findings is sought out through interpretation, suggestions and
recommendations which would be formulated from the summary of findings.
Sample Size and Technique
The sample for the present study has been drawn through quota sampling and a total
number of 50 respondents have been selected.
Tools of Data Collection
Primary data is collected from the laborers through interview schedule and secondary
data is collected from different articles, books and websites.
Limitations of Study 1. Most of the respondent were not frank enough to answer certain question
2. The research was conducted with minimum sample of 50.
3. The important constraint of time and cost was definite limiting factor.
Analysis and Interpretation of data
Age of the respondent
Variable Frequency Percent
20-30 3 6.0
30-40 18 36.0
above 40 29 58.0
Total 50 100.0
Table: 1
The above chart shows that 6% respondents are age of 20 – 30, 36% are age of 30 – 40 and 58%
are age of above 40.
Pay scale of the respondent
Variable Frequency Percent
5000 – 7500 14 28.0
7500 – 10000 36 72.0
Above 10000
Total
0
50
0
100.0
Table: 2
The above chart shows that the 28% respondents are in the pay scale of 5,000 – 7,500 and
72% are in 7,500 – 10,000. Since they have minimum of about 5 years experience therefore
majority of the respondents have pay scale of 7,500 - 10000.
Category of the respondent
Variable Frequency Percent
clerical grade 16 32.0
technical grade 2 4.0
staff member 32 64.0
Total 50 100.0
Table: 3
The above chart shows that the 32% respondents are in clerical grade category, 4% are in
technical grade and 64% are staff members.
Awareness about the non statutory facilities
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 41 82.0
No 9 18.0
Total 50 100.0
Table: 4
The above chart shows that 82% respondents are aware about the non statutory welfare facilities
provided by the Tea estate and 18% people are not aware. Since 82% respondents are aware
about the non-statutory welfare facilities, the welfare measures have impact on the worker’s
efficiency level.
Provision of school Bus.
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes
No
0
50
0
100
Table: 5.1
The above chart shows that 100% respondents says that Tea estate doesn’t provide school bus.
Some tea estates provide school buses for the school going children of staff & workers to attend
high schools in the nearby towns. But this primary data shows that Rossel Tea Tea estate do not
provide school bus.
Provision of Cowherd
Variable Frequency Percent
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes
No
50
0
100.0
0
Table: 5.2
The above chart shows that 100% respondents says that Tea estate provides cowherd. Many
estates provide cowherd to the workers& staff so that cows reared by them can be looked after
during working hours. Through this primary data the researcher has found out that the Rossel
Tea Tea estate provides cowherd for workers and staffs.
Provision of Tea Ration
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes
No
50
0
100.0
0
Table: 5.3
The above chart shows that 100% respondents says that Tea estate provides tea ration. Workers
& Staff get tea ration free of cost every month (Fixed Quantity). This study shows that the tea
Tea estate provides workers with tea ration.
Provision of Liquid Tea
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes
No
50
0
100.0
0
Table: 5.4
The above chart shows that 100% respondents says that Tea estate provides liquid tea in work
place. Workers are provided with liquid tea mixed with salt & drinking water twice a day on the
worksite. The primary data reveals that the tea Tea estate provides liquid tea to the workers.
Provision of Welfare Centre
Variable Frequency Percent
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes
No
50
0
100.0
0
Table: 5.5
The above chart shows that 100% respondents says that Tea estate provides welfare centres.
Many estates have welfare centers which impart soft skills such as knitting, stitching to workers
children. This data reveals that the Tea estate takes care of soft skills of the workers.
Provision of Mothers club
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes
No
50
0
100.0
0
Table: 5.6
The above chart shows that 100% respondents says that Tea estate provides mothers club. Many
estates maintain mother’s club. The volunteers educate the workers on health & hygiene. The
above data makes clear that the Tea estate also takes care of education of the workers on health
& hygiene.
Provision of Cultural programmes
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes
No
50
0
100.0
0
Table: 5.7
The above chart shows that 100% respondents says that Tea estate provides cultural
programmes. Many estates help financially the workers for indigenous cultural programs such as
―Karam‖, ―Durgapuja‖ etc. Hence the above analysis shows that the workers are also financially
helped for indigenous cultural programs.
Provision of Entertainment
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes
No
50
0
100.0
0
Table: 5.8
The above chart shows that 100% respondents says that Tea estate provides
entertainment. Estates arrange cinema shows to the workers, 1 (one) show per month during
November – March every year. Also provide sports facilities such as football, volleyball, cricket,
carom board, TV etc. This data reveals that the Tea estate provides entertainment through
various sports facilities and cinemas.
Provision of firewood
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 49 98.0
No 1 2.0
Total 50 100.0
Table: 5.9
The above chart shows that 98% respondents says that Tea estate provides firewood to
the workers and 2% respondents says no. Every permanent workers family gets 219 cft firewood
/ year or equivalent money for cooking. Through this primary data the researcher had found out
that the workers are provided with firewood.
Provision of Ration to children
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 49 98.0
No 1 2.0
Total 50 100.0
Table: 5.10
The above chart shows that 98% respondents says that Tea estate provides ration to
children and 2% says no. As per the law subsidized ration (Rice + atta) is not required to be
given to permanent workers children who have crossed 15 years of Age. However school going
children above 15 years are to be given subsidized ration. The above table shows that the
worker’s children are provided with subsidized ration.
Provision of leave travel allowance
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 44 88.0
No 6 12.0
Total 50 100.0
Table: 5.11
The above chart shows that 88% respondents says that Tea estate provides leave travel
allowances and 12% respondents says Tea estate doesn’t provide leave travel allowances. The
clerical grades, medical and the technical grades are provided with leave travel allowance. The
data shows that the Tea estate provides with leave travel allowance.
Provision of Cycle
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 5 10.0
No 45 90.0
Total 50 100.0
Table: 5.12
The above chart shows that 10% respondents says yes Tea estate provides cycle and 90% says
no. The applicable category for cycle allowance are clerical grades, medical grade and the
technical grade. The eligible employee shall receive cycle allowance of rupees 45 per month.
Therefore, according to this primary data researcher found out that 10% respondents get this
cycle allowance.
If welfare facilities increase the regularity of employment
Variable Frequency Percent
yes 37 74.0
no 13 26.0
Total 50 100.0
Table: 6
The above chart shows that the 74% people says that non statutory welfare facilities provided by
the Tea estate increases the regularity of employee and 26% says non statutory welfare facilities
provided by the Tea estate doesn’t increases the regularity of employee. Since 74% respondents
says that welfare facilities increases the regularity of employee, this shows that welfare facilities
have impact on the employees performance.
If welfare facilities help industry adjust to Tea estate’s environment
Variable Frequency Percent
yes 41 82.0
no 9 18.0
Total 50 100.0
Table: 7
The above chart shows that 82% people says that the non statutory welfare facilities provided by
Tea estate help industry adjust to Tea estate’s environment and 18% says that the non statutory
welfare facilities provided by Tea estate doesn’t help industry adjust to Tea estate’s environment.
Since majority of the respondents says that welfare facilities help industry adjust to Tea estate’s
environment, this shows that this would lead to peace and harmony among the management and
the workers.
If welfare facilities help to improve the discipline of workers
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 38 76.0
No 12 24.0
Total 50 100.0
Table 8
The above chart shows that 76% respondents says that non statutory welfare facilities
help to improve the discipline of workers and 24% says it doesn’t help to improve the discipline
of workers. Hence it can be said that welfare facilities need to be provided and the companies are
bound morally and legally to take care of the employees and also take care of own business.
If welfare facilities help to develop unity among the workers
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 43 86.0
No 7 14.0
Total 50 100.0
Table 9
The above chart shows that 86% people says that non statutory welfare facilities help to develop
unity among the workers and 14% people says it doesn’t help. Since majority of the respondents
says that welfare facilities help to develop unity among the workers, the Tea estate should take
step towards providing better welfare facilities.
Satisfaction of welfare facilities
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 49 98.0
No 1 2.0
Total 50 100.0
Table 10
The above chart shows that 98% people are satisfied with the welfare facilities provided by Tea
estate and 2% people are not satisfied. This primary data shows that the Rossel Tea Tea estate
provides with adequate welfare facilities to its workers.
Welfare facilities help to increase industrial moral.
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 42 84.0
No 8 16.0
Total 50 100.0
Table 11
The above chart shows that 84% respondents says that non statutory welfare facilities
provided by Tea estate help to increase industrial moral and 16% respondents says it doesn’t
help. Since majority of the respondents feel that welfare facilities help to increase industrial
moral, it is important to keep in mind and to take care of at least some of their welfare needs.
Welfare facilities improve the status of employees
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 40 80.0
No 10 20.0
Total 50 100.0
Table 12
The above chart shows that 80% respondents says that the non-statutory welfare facilities
improve the status of employees and 20% respondents says it doesn’t improve the status of
employees. Facilities like housing schemes, medical benefits, and education and recreation
facilities for workers’ families help in raising their status of life. This makes workers to pay more
attention towards work and thus increases their productivity.
Welfare measures satisfy your needs.
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 40 80.0
No 10 20.0
Total 50 100.0
Table 13
The above chart shows that 80% respondents says that non-statutory welfare measures provided
by the Tea estate satisfy theirs need and 20% says it doesn’t satisfy. The very logic behind
providing welfare schemes is to create efficient, healthy, loyal and satisfied labor force for the
organization. The purpose of providing such facilities is to make their work life better and also to
raise their satisfaction level.
Non-statutory welfare measures help in building loyalty
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 42 84.0
No 8 16.0
Total 50 100.0
Table 14
The above chart shows that 84% respondents says that non-statutory welfare measures
help to build greater loyalty to the Tea estate and 16% respondents says that non-statutory
welfare measures doesn’t help to build greater loyalty to the Tea estate. Welfare measures help
relieve workers from industrial fatigue and to improve intellectual, cultural and material
conditions of living of the workers and thus it helps to build greater loyalty to the Tea estate.
If welfare measures affect performance
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 12 24.0
No 38 76.0
Total 50 100.0
Table 15
The above chart shows that 24% respondents says that non-statutory welfare measures
affects on performance and 76% respondents says it doesn’t affect on performance. Labor
welfare includes various facilities, services and amenities provided to workers for improving
their health, efficiency, economic betterment and social status.
Non statutory welfare measures promote faster team spirit.
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 41 82.0
No 9 18.0
Total 50 100.0
Table: 16
The above chart shows that 82% respondents says yes, non-statutory welfare measures help to
helps faster team spirit and 18% respondents says no. Labor welfare schemes are flexible and
ever-changing. New welfare measures are added to the existing ones from time to time, which
increases team spirit.
Non statutory welfare measures help to create better industrial relations.
Variable Frequency Percent
Yes 38 76.0
No 12 24.0
Total 50 100.0
Table 17
The above chart shows that 76% respondents says that non-statutory welfare measures
help to create better industrial relations and 24% respondents says it doesn’t help. Employee
welfare includes monitoring of working conditions, creation of industrial harmony through
infrastructure for health, industrial relations and insurance against disease, accident and
unemployment for the workers and their families.
Findings
The researcher found that 82% respondents are aware about the non statutory welfare
facilities provided by the Tea estate and 18% people are not aware. Since 82% respondents are
aware about the non-statutory welfare facilities, the Tea estate provides with the non statutory
welfare measures have impact on the worker’s efficiency level.
1. All the respondents have the opinion that the Tea estate doesn’t provide school bus
for their children. Some tea estates provide school buses for the school going children
of staff & workers to attend high schools in the nearby towns. But this primary data
shows that Rossel Tea Tea estate do not provide school bus.
2. All the respondents have the opinion that Tea estate provides tea ration. Workers &
Staff get tea ration free of cost every month (Fixed Quantity). This study shows that
the tea Tea estate provides workers with tea ration.
3. All the respondents have the opinion that the Tea estate provides liquid tea in work
place. Workers are provided with liquid tea mixed with salt & drinking water twice a
day on the worksite. The primary data reveals that the tea Tea estate provides liquid
tea to the workers.
4. All the respondents have the opinion that the Tea estate provides welfare centres.
Many estates have welfare centres which impart soft skills such as knitting, stitching
to workers children. This data reveals that the Tea estate takes care of soft skills of
the workers.
5. All the respondents have the opinion that the Tea estate provides mothers club. Many
estates maintain mother’s club. The volunteers educate the workers on health &
hygiene. The above data makes clear that the Tea estate also takes care of education
of the workers on health & hygiene. The data shows that 100% respondents says that
Tea estate provides cultural programmes. Many estates help financially the workers
for indigenous cultural programs such as ―Karam‖, ―Durgapuja‖ etc. Hence the above
analysis shows that the workers are also financially helped for indigenous cultural
programs.
6. All the respondents have the opinion that the Tea estate provides entertainment.
Estates arrange cinema shows to the workers, 1 (one) show per month during
November – March every year. Also provide sports facilities such as football,
volleyball, cricket, carom board, TV etc. This data reveals that the Tea estate provides
entertainment through various sports facilities and cinemas.
7. 98% respondents are of the opinion that the Tea estate provides firewood to the
workers and 2% respondents say no. Every permanent workers family gets 219 cft
firewood / year or equivalent money for cooking. Through this primary data the
researcher had found out that the workers are provided with firewood.
8. 98% respondents are of the opinion that the Tea estate provide ration to children and
2% says no. As per the law subsidized ration (Rice + atta) is not required to be given
to permanent workers children who have crossed 15 years of Age. However school
going children above 15 years are to be given subsidized ration. The above table
shows that the worker’s children are provided with subsidized ration.
9. 88% respondents are of the opinion that the Tea estate provide leave travel
allowances and 12% respondents says Tea estate doesn’t provide leave travel
allowances. The clerical grades, medical and the technical grades are provided with
leave travel allowance. The data shows that the Tea estate provides with leave travel
allowance.
10. 10% respondents are of the opinion that the Tea estate provide cycle and 90%
respondents say no. The applicable categories for cycle allowance are clerical grades,
medical grade and the technical grade. The eligible employee shall receive cycle
allowance of rupees 45 per month. Therefore, according to this primary data
researcher found out that 10% respondents get this cycle allowance.
11. According to 74% respondents the non statutory welfare facilities provided by the
Tea estate increases the regularity of employment. There are 26% respondents having
the opinion that non statutory welfare facilities provided by the Tea estate doesn’t
increase the regularity of employment. Since 74% respondents says that welfare
facilities increases the regularity of employment, this study shows that welfare
facilities have impact on the employees performance.
12. According to82% respondents the non statutory welfare facilities provided by Tea
estate help industry adjust to Tea estate’s environment and 18% are of the opinion
that the non statutory welfare facilities provided by Tea estate doesn’t help industry
adjust to Tea estate’s environment. Since majority of the respondents are of the
opinion that welfare facilities help industry adjust to Tea estate’s environment, this
study shows that this would lead to peace and harmony among the management and
the workers.
13. According to 76% respondents the non statutory welfare facilities help to improve the
discipline of workers and 24% of the respondents are of the opinion that the non-
statutory welfare facilities doesn’t help to improve the discipline of workers. Hence it
can be said that welfare facilities need to be provided and the companies are bound
morally and legally to take care of the employees and also take care of own business.
14. According to 86% respondents the non statutory welfare facilities help to develop
unity among the workers and 14% respondents are of the opinion that it doesn’t help.
Since majority of the respondents says that welfare facilities help to develop unity
among the workers, the Tea estate should take step towards providing better welfare
facilities.
15. 98% respondents are satisfied with the welfare facilities provided by Tea estate and
2% respondents are not satisfied. This primary data reveals that the Tea estates
provides with adequate welfare facilities to its workers.
Since the respondents are satisfied with the non statutory welfare measures provided by
the Tea estate, the researcher found that it has impact on the employees efficiency and
performance. The non-statutory welfare measures provided by the Tea estate for the non
managerial level employees are highly effective and leads to increase the regularity of
employees, help industry adjust to Tea estate’s environment, improve discipline of workers, help
to develop unity among the workers increase industrial moral, fosters co-operation between
employees and the management, improves the status of employees, help to build greater loyalty
to the Tea estate, motivate to increase productivity, helps faster team spirit, create better
industrial relation. Labor satisfaction regarding non-statutory benefit very high. Since the
respondents are aware of the non-statutory benefits provided by the Tea estate, the Tea estate
actually provides with the mentioned non-statutory benefits. Finally, it can be concluded that the
non-statutory welfare measures have impact upon the working members and does helps in
retaining the employees in the industry.
Suggestions
Since Labor welfare entails all those activities of employer which are directed towards providing
the employees with certain facilities and services in addition to wages or salaries.
The Labor welfare measures should have the following objectives:
1. To provide better life and health to the workers
2. To make the workers happy and satisfied
3. To relieve workers from industrial fatigue and to improve intellectual, cultural and
material conditions of living of the workers.
Conclusion
The research study entitled ―A study on the non statutory welfare measures and its impact
on the employees ―with special reference to Rossel Tea Limited, Assam reveals that the workers
are satisfied with the non statutory welfare measures provided by the Tea estate. The study
reveals that the non-statutory benefits i.e. school bus, cowherd, tea ration, liquid tea, welfare
centre, mothers club, cultural program, entertainment, firewood, ration to children, leave travel
allowance and cycle provided by the Tea estate are effective and have impact upon the
employees. The study also reveals that if the existing benefits are extended there will be
improvement in the efficiency or performance within the employees. The researcher also found
out that the non-statutory welfare benefits help to retain the working members in the particular
tea industry.
The non-statutory welfare measures provided by the Tea estate for the non managerial
level employees are highly effective and leads to increase the regularity of employees, help
industry adjust to Tea estate’s environment, improve discipline of workers, help to develop unity
among the workers increase industrial moral, fosters co-operation between employees and the
management, improves the status of employees, help to build greater loyalty to the Tea estate,
motivate to increase productivity, helps faster team spirit, create better industrial relation. Labor
satisfaction regarding non-statutory benefit very high. Since the respondents are aware of the
non-statutory benefits provided by the Tea estate, the Tea estate actually provides with the
mentioned non-statutory benefits. Finally, it can be concluded that the non-statutory welfare
measures have impact upon the working members and does helps in retaining the employees in
the industry.
The Finding and suggestion given by the researchers will definitely help them to improve
the welfare measure towards their workers. The researcher hopes that this study will draw the
attention of future researchers who may pursue research on the various issues given below:-
a) A study on absenteeism among tea workers in Rossel Tea Tea estate.
b) A Study on job satisfaction of tea workers in estate.
c) A study on stress management.
For undertaking research on the above topics the future researchers can draw inspiration from the
present study.
Bibliography:
List of Books
1. Gary Dessler (1997), Human Resource Management.
2. Kothari C.R (2004), Research Methodology, New Age Publishers, New Delhi.
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5. Saxena R. C (2007), Labour Problems And Social Welfare, K. Nath & Co., Meerut.
6. Sarma A. M (2009), Aspects of Labour Welfare and Social Security, Himalaya
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7. Ulhas Chintamani (1994), Personal Management & Industrial relation, Ameya Prakashan,
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12. Indialine.com (2008) ―Assam Tea Tourism‖,at
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13. Wikipedia (2008) Tea Tribes, available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea-tribes
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1. ASIAN JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT RESEARCH, Copyright 2010, ISSN 2229
3795
2. ICMR (2001) Annual Report 1999-2000, Regional Medical Research Centre - NE Region
(Indian Council of Medical research), Dibrugarh, Assam.
3. International Research Journal ISSN-0975-3486 VOL. I * ISSUE—6 RNI:
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4. Sabaragamuwa University Journal (2007), Vol. 7 no. 1, pp 37-47.