Tough Job of Employee Relations for you Mr Modi
My search landed me with two disturbing news reports, then one more, and as you will see, they have a common thread.
“Poor labourers [are] paying price for India’s cheap car boom” screams Times of India. It is the story of Visheshwar Prasad Singh who lost his hand while working on a machine. He was not trained to operate it. Visheshwar Prasad Singh is a contract labourer. His hand was ‘attached’ again by the Doctors but it remains paralysed.
The other story titled ‘9 RIL Officers to Face Trial For Death of a Worker‘ covered by The Hindu, is a very bold order passed by Mr VC Joshi, the Judicial Magistrate of FC Khalapur, “states that action against the nine accused [all Reliance Industries Officers] should be initiated under Section 304 A (rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide) read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code. The maximum punishment under the section is two years or a fine or both.
The order passed by VC Joshi, Judicial Magistrate of FC Khalapur, observed that the deceased was a contract labourer but was performing the tasks of a skilled worker carried out by permanent employees, which was not part of his employment. Pandurang Balaram Babre died on December 22, 2014, after he fell from a tank on which he had climbed to check finish oil. He fell as ‘the surrounding of the machinery was unclean and dirty’.” [Unquote]
Engaging contract labour seems to keep conscience of the employer clean – ‘after all the labourer was not my worker.’
And here is the third news report [UK tea brands drop Indian supplier over work conditions] – ‘Several of Britain’s biggest tea brands, including PG Tips, Tetleys and Twinings, have said they will work to improve the tea estates they buy from in India after a BBC investigation found dangerous and degrading living and working conditions.’
So the business was lost!
The report is supported by several photographs of toilets and horrible working conditions in general.
While everybody supports ‘Make in India’ and the end of ‘Inspector Raj’, reports like these raise doubts in the minds of readers whether the industry can, on its own, conform to the statutory mandates of welfare and safety. The record of the industry does not infuse much confidence.
With unions which are either corrupt or incapable, and with unconscionable employers, both in plenty, you have a tough job on hand, Mr Modi!
“Poor labourers [are] paying price for India’s cheap car boom” screams Times of India. It is the story of Visheshwar Prasad Singh who lost his hand while working on a machine. He was not trained to operate it. Visheshwar Prasad Singh is a contract labourer. His hand was ‘attached’ again by the Doctors but it remains paralysed.
The other story titled ‘9 RIL Officers to Face Trial For Death of a Worker‘ covered by The Hindu, is a very bold order passed by Mr VC Joshi, the Judicial Magistrate of FC Khalapur, “states that action against the nine accused [all Reliance Industries Officers] should be initiated under Section 304 A (rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide) read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code. The maximum punishment under the section is two years or a fine or both.
The order passed by VC Joshi, Judicial Magistrate of FC Khalapur, observed that the deceased was a contract labourer but was performing the tasks of a skilled worker carried out by permanent employees, which was not part of his employment. Pandurang Balaram Babre died on December 22, 2014, after he fell from a tank on which he had climbed to check finish oil. He fell as ‘the surrounding of the machinery was unclean and dirty’.” [Unquote]
Engaging contract labour seems to keep conscience of the employer clean – ‘after all the labourer was not my worker.’
And here is the third news report [UK tea brands drop Indian supplier over work conditions] – ‘Several of Britain’s biggest tea brands, including PG Tips, Tetleys and Twinings, have said they will work to improve the tea estates they buy from in India after a BBC investigation found dangerous and degrading living and working conditions.’
So the business was lost!
The report is supported by several photographs of toilets and horrible working conditions in general.
While everybody supports ‘Make in India’ and the end of ‘Inspector Raj’, reports like these raise doubts in the minds of readers whether the industry can, on its own, conform to the statutory mandates of welfare and safety. The record of the industry does not infuse much confidence.
With unions which are either corrupt or incapable, and with unconscionable employers, both in plenty, you have a tough job on hand, Mr Modi!
Vivek S Patwardhan
PS: Please also read this sequel and answer to the BBC Report Read this sequel to BBC report: ‘Brewing Change in Indian Tea’ http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/SqVaLBrfnzvz5h4Uy4V0EP/Brewing-change-in-Indian-tea.html
PS: Please also read this sequel and answer to the BBC Report Read this sequel to BBC report: ‘Brewing Change in Indian Tea’ http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/SqVaLBrfnzvz5h4Uy4V0EP/Brewing-change-in-Indian-tea.html
The reward is emotionally anchored, not the effort. The capitalist is emotionally bankrupt. What riches in morality can the economy enjoy?
Vivek, thank you for raising these issues. Yes, many many are being exploited. However, I think we professionals mostly demonstrate a an external locus of control ("the boss forced me to do it") and avoid taking responsibility to speak up, dialogue or take a stand. Isn't it so easy to place issues at someone else's doors ("politicians are the problem" or "the CEO is ABC"). Perhaps this piece should be retitled "Tough Job of Employee Relations for you, Mr/Ms professional."
Dipak Gadekar wrote:
Sir
Yes, these two pieces of information are really disturbing. It has become very rampant practice to use Contract labourers to "make good" for the loss of productivity due to restraining attitudes of the permanent workmen, an euphemism used for ineffective Management.
I don't know how we will become a developed country, more importantly an evolved Society with such attitudes and practices?
I am also disturbed by the third piece of news where in the English Tea companies have stopped buying Tea from the India companies on the plea of Bad working conditions of the labourers. Not sure if they have thought of what they could have done alternatively? Whether they were having vendor inspection which would include the audit of the working conditions, etc.?
Because, I am not sure what Good it has done to those poor labourers who may lose their livelihood itself for want orders to the company !!
As expressed in one of the comments – what are the senior professionals, HR or others working in the company doing?
And my experience tells me that the company mentioned in the Hindu report is not the only one, even those Groups who talk of Humane approach have members who resort to such short cuts, and their Ethics and Moral standards claims have become a mere rhetoric.
Rgds.
Dipak
Do you really expect rulers to expect to carry out the tough job in responsible manner when the intentions are clear? What does new labour reforms suggest?
Thought provoking article. Contract Labor engagement is a crucial issue that needs to be dealt with utmost care and concern. With the proposed labor reforms, it is set to become all the more dicy in the coming days with the Government proposing to regularize contract workers in case of any contravention to Section 21 of the Draft Bill on Contract Labor (Regulation & Abolition) which refers to Prohibition of Contract Labor. Whether it is proposed to leverage the section for influencing vote bank or done with a benevolent purpose to give them their due rights remains to be seen.