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 XV. - Housing of the industrial worker

Collection:: Economics Books

HOUSING OF THE INDUSTRIAL WORKER. 293 to us that the Indian worker is generally contented with his lot and views with suspicion any attempt to improve his circumstances ; but the keen competition which takes place for any vacancy in the houses provided by employers indicates that his desire for a sanitary and decent house and an improved standard of living is greater than is generally realised. There is also evidence that he is willing to pay something for decent quarters. Although verandahs and courtyards are rarely found, except in the organised settlements, the general preference of the worker is for the type of house where such additions are available. The verandah affords shelter in the hot weather and the rains, and, being open on at least one side, enables the worker to live a partly open-air life. The courtyard ensures privacy without the denial of fresh air and sunshine, and the two together help to some extent to reproduce village charac- teristics. One of the Cawnpore schemes for the betterment of housing conditions took due notice of these predilections and to that extent, if for no other reason, is deserving of commendation. Action by Municipal Councils. The necessity for additional legislation need not delay action by municipal councils and much preliminary work can and ought to be undertaken by these bodies. In the first place, only a minority have sofar appointed qualified health officers and this defect should be remedied at the earliest possible opportunity, whilst municipal health organisations should also be improved and strengthened. Secondly, all bye-laws and regulations dealing with health, housing and sanitation should be revised and brought up to date. Under the existing law the duty is given to municipal councils of framing bye-laws on such matters, but instances are not wanting where these have never been prepared, and efficient enforcement of those in exis- tence has rarely been practised. It should be the duty of the health officer, under instructions from his council, to see that all bye-laws are impartially and vigorously applied. In particular, all applications for permission to erect new buildings or to alter existing ones should be closely scrutinised in order to ensure that the grant of permission will not result in increased congestion. This policy should be pursued, not merely in respect of dwelling houses, but also in respect of factories, work- shops and all other buildings. It should also be possible to proceed with the preparation of plans for the improvement and extension of areas set apart for housing schemes; this is of special importance where existing industries are growing and new industries are being established. There is every reason for hoping that Indian industry will make a substantial advance in the future, and a little fore- thought now may prevent grave evils in years to come. We recognise that in all these matters progress will not be easy until the social con- science has been aroused. But we believe that the presence within municipal councils of even a few leaders determined that these bodies should accept responsibility would exercise an important influence in making the community face the situation.

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