Meaning of term welfare :-Health, happiness, and good fortune; well-being.Prosperity.Welfare work.Financial or other aid provided, especially by the government, to people in need.Definitions of term welfare :-1.Availabilityofresourcesand presence ofconditionsrequiredfor reasonably comfortable, healthy, andsecureliving.2.Governmentsupport for the poor and otherwise disadvantagedmembersof the society, usually throughprovisionoffreeand/or subsidizedgoods and services. Concept of Awelfare StateAwelfare stateis a concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles ofequality of opportunity, equitabledistribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those unable to avail themselves of the minimal provisions for a good life. The general term may cover a variety of forms of economic and social organization.The sociologistT.H. Marshallidentified the welfare state as a distinctive combination ofdemocracy,welfare, andcapitalism. Scholars have paid special attention to the historic paths by which Germany, Britain and other countries developed their welfare state.Modern welfare states include theNordic countries, such asIceland,Sweden,Norway,Denmark, andFinlandwhich employ a system known as theNordic model. The welfare state involves a transfer of funds from the state, to the services provided (i.e. healthcare, education) as well as directly to individuals ("benefits"). Esping-Andersen classified the most developed welfare state systems into three categories; Social Democratic, Conservative, and Liberal. The welfare state is funded throughredistributionisttaxationand is often referred to as a type of "mixed economy".Such taxation usually includes a largerincome taxfor people with higher incomes, called aprogressive tax. Labour welfare is an important dimension of industrial relation; labour welfare includes overall welfare facilities designed to take care of well being of employee's and in order to increase their living standard. It do not generally constitutes monetary benefits nor these are provided by employers alone, it can also be provided by government, non government agencies and trade unions. Industrialization, mechanization and globalization has increased importance of labour welfare in industries.The importance of labour in industrialization and economic development has been recognized globally. In global scenario need and importance of labour welfare has been increasingly appreciated.

Embodiment of Social Welfare Provisions in the Indian Constitution India is considered to be the largest democracy of the world, which is governed by an elaborate and detailed written constitution. The Preamble of the Constitution has used the terms like Socialist, Social and Economic Justice, Equality etc, these terms indicate that the state would extensively involve in social welfare of people, and would try to establish an egalitarian society.Moreover a separate chapter of Directive Principles of State Policy has been devoted towards the welfare responsibilities of the government, which lays down the norms of ideal governance for peoples welfare. The Preamble of the Constitution of India declares India as a socialistcountry, and this term itself gives a substantial proof of the existence of social welfare responsibilities of the government. The Supreme Court of India in the case ofD S Nakara v. Union of India, made the following observation with regard to socialism-The principal aim of a socialist State is to eliminate inequality in income and status, and standard of life. The basic framework of socialism is to provide a decent standard of life to the working people and especially provide security from cradle to grave.As being a socialist state, the government is required to take steps to ensure that the minimum facilities of life are provided to every person, and there are equalities of income and material resources as far as democratically possible. A socialist state strives to achieve many ideals, some of them are- Removal of inequalities in distribution of economic resources Equality of opportunity for employment Equal pay for equal work. Elimination of exploitation of labourers Maintenance of minimum level of egalitarianism Establishment of a welfare state Initiation of schemes relating to health, education, social security, and other such essential matter

History of Labour WelfareIn Indiathe labour welfare started sometime during the 1stworld war (1914-1918). Till then wellbeing of workers in factories was hardly thought by anybody. Since, 1stworld war labour welfare has been expanding on voluntary basis. Industrial Labour Organization has played a very significant role for labour welfare. Much labour legislation has been formed by Indian central government and state governments for welfare of labours in Industries.Government has laid down minimum standards for employment and working conditions in organizations. Besides the government, the employers, trade unions and various social organizations also function as agencies for implementation of labour welfare measures.A Industrial labour organization (ILO) is an advisory body so it cannot force any country to introduce any welfare measures. The need of labour welfare was powerfully felt by the Royal Commission of Labour far back in 1931, Indian constitution emphasized this need under its directive principles of state policy.

HISTORY OF LABOUR LEGISLATION IN INDIA Upto 1881, there was no law related to labour welfare in India. The Indian factories act was passed in the year 1881. After this a number of such laws were passed to regulate the working conditions in industries. Prior to this law, the workers were exploited for the following reasons:Labour was available in abundance. They badly needed work to fulfill their requirements; basic needs cant wait for their satisfaction. The workers had no other source of livelihood. They only had their labour and skill to sell.Labour was ill educated, too poor and ignorant. They didnt know about their contribution to profit and their importance in the process of production, nor could they think because being poor they couldnt think of anything other than earning for their basic needs.Industrialization and employment in factories was a comparatively new process for Indian workers and so it didnt provide them with much experience. Due to lack of contact with other parts of the world, they didnt know what rights their counterparts in other parts of the world enjoy.Workers feared their employers. They were compelled to work as directed by the employers who sometimes even used physical force to compel them. Even greater was the fear of retrenchment. The entrepreneurs enjoyed greater proximity to political power circles. They were financially sound and so could twist the situation their way.(vi) If work came to a halt, the entrepreneurs lost only their profits where as the worker lost their livelihood and had to suffer from hunger INDUSTRIAL LEGISLATION AND LAWS: The laws framed by the Government for providing economic and social justice to the workers in industries are called Industrial laws or labour laws.Industrial legislation can be divided into two categories:General legislation.Specific legislation.

General legislation:General legislation takes care of the general labour problems like social welfare, insurance and industrial disputes.Specific legislation: Specific legislation looks after the work of specific industries like transport, mines, electricity generation, plantation, waste disposal etc.

NEED OF INDUSTRIAL OR LABOUR LAWS In modern industrial organization, labour laws are necessary and their main aim is;To save the workers from exploitation and to protect their rights: Government showed a human concern in passing these laws so that workers get their due rights and are not exploited.To minimize and settle industrial disputes: These laws serve to improve relations among management and workers so that a peaceful atmosphere is created for maximum production.To provide better and safe working conditions for the workers: Laws make sure that work, machines, equipment, tools and the environment of an industry is safe for the working of human beingsiv) To determine timely and justified payment of wages, incentives and compensation : Various labour laws provide that payment of wages is on a fair basis and that the wages are sufficient to meet the need of workers. ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF

LABOUR WELFARE CONCEPT IN INDIA: The transference of rural population to the urban areas, as a result of industrialization, brought with it certain sociological problems. Having been up rooted from their rural mornings, the new class of industrial workers required welfare services to be provided to them in their new surroundings so as to enable them to adapt themselves to changing situations. The transference of rural population to the urban areas, as a result of industrialization, brought with it certain sociological problems. Having been up rooted from their rural mornings, the new class of industrial workers required welfare services to be provided to them in their new surroundings so as to enable them to adapt themselves to changing situations. Mahatma Gandhi, through his general programme for upliftment of the toiling masses of the country made a considerable impact upon the concept of Labour welfare in India. I do not want anything more for the workers and farmer class then enough to eat and house and clothes themselves and live in ordinary comfort as self respecting human beings.Organization provides welfare facilities to their employees to keep their motivation level high. Welfare means the comfort and improvement of employees and is provided over and above the wages. Welfare keeps the morale and motivation of the employees high so as to retain the employees for longer duration. It is not necessary that the welfare measures to be in monetary terms but in any kind/forms. 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. Labour welfare entails all those activities of employer which are directed towards providing the employees with certain facilities and services in addition to wages of salaries.Labour Welfare has the following objectives:Labour welfare provides social comfort to employees.It provides intellectual improvement of employees.To develop sense of responsibility and belongingness among employees.To ensures that the working conditions for employees are of higher standard.To build stable work forceTo reduce absenteeism and labour turnover.To make employees lives good and worth living.To boost productivity and efficiency at the workplace.To provide healthy and proper working conditions.To ensure well being of employees and families.

IMPORTANCE OF LABOUR WELFARE: In India, industrial workers get the benefit of various welfare facilities. The purpose is to provide them better life and to make them happy. The important benefit of welfare services are given below:(1) Welfare facilities provide scope for better physical and mental health to the workers.(2) Labour welfare brings industrial peace and cordial relations between labour and management.(3) The social evil in the labour force such as gambling, drinking etc. are reduced.(4) Employer gets stable labour force due to provision of welfare facilities.(5) Workers take active interest in their jobs.(6) Employer secures the benefits of high efficiency and low labour absenteeism and minimum employee turnover. Facilities like housing, medical benefits and education facilities help to increase productivity of workers

PROVISIONS OF THE FACTORIES ACT, 1948 REGARDING LABOUR WELFARE:Factories Act, 1948, contains specific provisions relating to welfare of labour in factories. These provisions are discussed below: (1) Washing facility: In every factory, suitable facilities for working shall be provided for the use of workers. Such facilities shall be kept clean.(2) Facility for storing clothes/uniforms: A suitable place should be provided to the workers for keeping clothes during the time of work and uniforms overnight(3) Facilities for sitting: In every factory, suitable arrangement for sitting shall be provided and maintained, for all workers(4) First Aid Facility: The arrangement for first-aid shall be made in every factory. One first-aid box is to be provided for every 150 workers. First-aid facility has always to be made available during the working hours of the factory(5) Canteens: A canteen shall be provided in each factory employing over 250 workers. Suitable shelter, lunch room and rest room shall be provided for the use of the workers where more than 150 workers are employed(6) Crches: Every factory shall provide clean, well lighted crches (room) for the use of children of women workers.(7) Welfare Officer: In every factory where 500 or more workers are employed, the employer shall employ Welfare Officer in the factory.

CLASSIFICATION OF LABOUR WELFARE FACILITIES:The Study appointed by the Government of India in 1959 to examine labour welfare activities then existing, divided the entire range of these activities into three groups, i.e.(1) Welfare work within the boundary of an establishment- medical aid, crches, canteens, supply of drinking water etc. It means that the welfare activities are undertaken within boundary of an establishment(2) Welfare work outside the boundary of an establishment- provision for indoor and outdoor recreation, housing, adult education, visual instructions, etc. and; (3) Social Security measures etc.

9