Analytical study of the administration, management and working of the industrial canteens with special reference to the industrial units situated in and around Pune region (during 1998 to 2002)

Abstract

The success of every industrial unit depends on the efficiency of its work force. The employees of the industrial unit constitute the core of its workforce. The welfare of the employees is thus the responsibility of those who run the industrial unit. It is imperative for an industrial unit to contribute to the morale, emotional stability, mental relaxation and health of its employees. The share of contributing to the well being and health of the employees will be met by providing quality food and refreshments by the industrial unit concerned. For this purpose the industrial unit is required to maintain and manage a good canteen providing quality food and services. It is one of the provisions of labour welfare which is a part of the social welfare. Labour Welfare - Labour welfare along with safety, health, social security is a part of social welfare, which is a cherished ideal of all civilized countries like India. Welfare includes the physical, social, psychological and general well-being. The concept of labour welfare is dynamic and varies from country to country due to its value system and social institutions. The term labour welfare includes all those voluntary efforts of the employers to establish living and cultural conditions for the employees beyond that which is required by law. The term broadly includes all measures which promote the physical, psychological, and general well-being of the workers. The committee on labour welfare (1969) defined labour welfare to include such services, facilities, and amenities as adequate canteens, rest and recreational facilities, sanitary and medical facilities, arrangements for travel to and from work, and for the accommodation of workers employed at a distance from their homes, and such other services, amenities, and facilities including social security measures as contribute to improve the conditions under which workers are employed. [Government of India, The Report of the Committee on Labour Welfare, Vol.1,1969, P24] The Study Team appointed by the Government of India to examine labour welfare activities then existing divided the entire range of these activities into three groups, such as (i) Welfare within the precincts of an establishment, medical aid, crèches, canteens, supply of drinking water, etc. (ii) Welfare outside the establishment : provision for indoor and outdoor recreation, housing, adult education, visual instructions, etc, and (iii) Social Security.