Report of the Royal Commission on Labour in India

Bibliographic data

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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Chapter

Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Chapter XIV. - Health and welfare of the industrial worker

Collection:: Economics Books

956 CHAPTER XIV, It is well known that hookworm infection and hookworm disease exist to a considerable degree over large parts of India, and the serious effects of this parasite on the physical health and efficiency of the worker are equally well known. In a few centres attempts have been made to carry out periodical mass treatment of the workers, but little has been done te prevent re-infection by providing sanitary conveniences of acceptable types. Most of our medical witnesses and some employers have assured us that the Indian worker can be persuaded to use latrines if these are kept in a decently sanitary condition, and our own observations confirm this verdict. An incident brought to our notice in Howrah illustrates this point. The septic-tank latrines provided in the mill bustees are used to such an extent by outsiders living in the vicinity that it is found neces- sary to close them periodically in order that they may not be put out of action by over-use. It was not surprising that the workers refused to use the filthy accommodation often placed at their disposal. This is a matter which can be corrected without great expenditure, judg- ing from the success obtained in several areas. Local bodies and muni- cipal councils are responsible for the provision of latrines in the housing areas under their supervision. More vigorous action on their part, with the co-operation of employers, would meet with a response from the workers and would result in their attaining a higher standard of health and a correspondingly greater efficiency. Malaria. The toll of life exacted in India every year by epidemic diseases is still very high, and of them all malaria is perhaps the most devastating. In paragraphs 411 and 412 of the Report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture will be found statements and recommendations with which we agree whole-heartedly. In municipal aress like Bombay the control of malaria is no new problem, nor in many cases is it difficult of solution ; but we have found that only too often action on health matters ends with the holding of an investigation and the writing of a report, little effort being made subsequently to carry out even the simplest of its recommenda- tions. We are in agreement with Major Covell, who made a special investigation in Bombay in 1929, that * it is only through concerted action on the part of the people themselves, with the guidance and assistance of the State as far as its limited resources in men and money may allow, that a substantial measure of success in controlling malaria can be achieved ”. During our tours we could not fail to be impressed with the tremendous importance of malaria in connection with the health of the industrial worker, and in our opinion it would pay both Government and employers to initiate a much more active policy of prevention than has hitherto been undertaken. Every provincial health department should include a malariologist on its headquarter staff, who would not only advise municipal councils and employers on malarial problems, but would train medical officers and others in the principles of anti-malarial work. Effec- tive reduction of the incidence of malaria can be secured by such methods, especially if they are combined with the extended cultivation of cin- chona. as recommended bv the Agricultural Commission

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