INDUSTRIES

LABOUR ORGANISATION

During 1961 about 4,063 labourers were engaged in the factories of the district. The number rose to 9,220 in 1962 and 9,942 in 1963 corresponding to the increase in the number of factories from 38 in 1961 to 40 in 1962 and 45 in 1963.

The following statement shows the distribution of factories according to the size of factories and average daily employment: -

On March 31, 1964, there were 12 trade unions registered under the Indian Trade Unions Act, 1926. Of these, the details regarding three trade unions were not available. Of the remaining nine trade unions, only the mining and quarrying industry had two trade unions while the non-metallic mining and quarrying industry, bidi industry, paper and paper products industry, banks, educational institutions, weaving industry and local bodies had an union each.

The following statement gives the detailed information in regard to trade unions in Chandrapur district:-

Industrial Disputes.

During the period from 1956 to 1963 for which years information was available the highest number of industrial disputes viz ; seven had taken place in 1960 all, concerning miscellaneous industries. The disputes involved 6,018 workers and 83,065 mandays were lost in the process. One dispute was regarding wages, five were concerning personnel and one was due to miscellaneous causes. Of these, one was successful, in case of one, compromise was reached, two were unsuccessful and in the case of three no decision was taken.

During 1958. three such disputes took place of which one concerned wages, and two occurred due to miscellaneous causes. Of these, one ended without success while in case of the remaining no understanding was reached. The dispute involved 1,297 workers and in the process 5,455 mandays were lost.

In 1961 there occurred only two disputes involving 165 workers and losing in the process 705 mandays. Of these, one was unsuccessful and in case of the other, there was no outcome. In 1962, only one dispute was recorded involving 234 workers and causing a loss of 936 mandays. The dispute ended in a compromise.

Labour Welfare.

Maharashtra Labour Welfare Board constituted under the Bombay Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1953 took over the management of Labour Welfare Centre in Chandrapur district in January 1, 1962 along with other centres in Marathwada and Vidarbha which were till then under the control of the Deputy Commissioner of Labour, Nagpur. These centres had been started about two years earlier by Government.

The centre is administered by the Kendra Sanchalak (Welfare Organiser), the Kendra Up-Sanchalak who is a lady part-time worker and the Kendra Sevak.

The activities conducted at the centre include entertainment comprising film shows (documentaries and educational films), dramatics; music, radio and kalapathak programmes; games and sports composed of outdoor games, athletics, wrestling and indoor games; health activities such as hygiene,) community health, first aid, health advice; literature,) excursions and community and social education through workers' education, reading rooms, libraries, handicrafts, and family care.

The centre at Chandrapur is controlled by the Workers' Welfare Officer, Bhandara Circle with headquarters at Gondia.

The centre spends about Rs. 3,480 on the pay and allowances of the staff maintained at the centre besides contingent expenditure of Rs. 2,800 approximately under various heads.

On March 31, 1964 the total membership of workers and dependents availing of the facilities provided at Chanda centre stood at 477 composed of 283 men, 23 women, 139 boys and 32 girls.

It has been observed that activities at the centre suffer in terms of participation, since the area is backward and literacy is at a low level. This is particularly noticeable as regards participation in workers' activities. Efforts are being made within the resources available, to popularise the welfare programme and make it acceptable to a larger number of workers and their families.

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