Report of the Royal Commission on Labour in India

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 1850495947

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-233603

Document type:: Monograph

Title:: Report of the Royal Commission on Labour in India

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: His Majesty's Stationery Off.

Year of publication:: 1931

Scope:: xviii, 580 S.; graph. Darst., Kt.

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

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Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Chapter IX. - Railways

Collection:: Economics Books

RAILWAYS, 151 classes of railway workmen, e 9, those engaged in maintenance of per- manent way and works and in certain departments of workshops. In other branches of the service there may be difficulties in effecting changes in established custom, and we agree there is much to be said for a system which, by the grant of increments for approved service, encourages the able and willing worker to attain higher standards of skill and efficiency, with increasing rates of pay. Under either system the worker must be satisfied he is getting a fair deal. The same may be said of the different systems of piece-work and payment by results that have been introduced in several railway workshops. They provide additional incentives to the industrious and capable workman to improve his output and increase his earnings. So long as it is understood that changes in method provide the only justification for alterations jn bases of calculation (except in the event of mistakes clearly apparent to both employer and employee), we consider there is room for extension of bonus and similar systems in railway workshops generally. Standardisation of Wages. We have been informed that more than one administration has already standardised wages, as far as possible, for all grades of employees in each area, with minimum and maximum rates of pay for each class of each branch of the service. But, owing to the different conditions exist- ing in various parts of the country, standard rates of pay have not been fixed for the railways as a whole. Here, as elsewhere in the evidence we find indications that replies to our enquiries have been made on the assumption that the practical difficulties in the way of standardisation on a national basis rule out the possibility of larger measures of standard- isation than have been attempted hitherto in this country, The Railway Board shows a better appreciation of the position. In referring to the benefits derived from organisation on a divisional basis, they state that standardisation of wages on such railways is aimed at, due regard being paid to local conditions and that it is probable the tendency towards standardisation will become more marked as time goes on. We believe it is possible to extend this further and recommend that additional steps be taken to fix standard rates for similar classes and grades of labour, subject only to variation in districts Where there are material differences in economic conditions. Existing disparities in wages and service con- ditions, for instance, at centres which are the termini of more than one railway and in workshops not far from each other should be examin - ed, and, wherever Possible, action should be taken to remove discontent caused by the present Inequalities. Provident Funds. Complaints have been made of the working of Provident Fund Rules, in particular that all employees are not eligible for membership, Provident, Funds have Leen established on every railway in India, except one employing only 2,278 workers, Exclusive of staff employed on construction, there were 819.000 railway employees in India on 31st

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