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 XXI. - Wages on planatations

Collection:: Economics Books

410 CHAPTER XXII. recommend the general adoption of this method. With a resident labour force, no great difficulty need be anticipated. It is to be remembered, however, that even periodical mass treatment will not stamp out this infection, unless suitable latrine accommodation is provided simultaneously and the sanitary disposal of excreta effected. The provision and use of latrines ensures a much higher standard of sani- tation, which is quickly reflected in a general improvement in the health of the whole community. In most plantation areas, however, latrines are uncommon, and although it may be impracticable to have these dotted over a plantation for the use of the working gangs, it should be possible to provide a sufficient number near the house lines and in the vicinity of the tea factory. In this connection we deprecate the whole- sale exemption of the Assam and Bengal tea factories from compliance with section 13 of the Factories Act on the grounds that such factories are seasonal and built on open spaces where the workers have free access to the jungle. We advocate the early withdrawal of this exemption and recommend that adequate latrine accommodation be required in all such factories within a reasonable period to be specified by the local Govern: ment. Attitude of Workers. Whilst evidence given to us was by no means unanimous as to the possibility of inducing the labourers to use latrines, we have no reason bo question the view expressed by several experienced plantation doc- bors that, if suitable types were made available and were maintained in a reasonably sanitary condition, the desirability of using them could be brought home to the labourers. This view is confirmed by the results obtained during the past three or four years in the Nilgiris and Wynaad areas, where a vigorous health propaganda campaign has been conduct- ed by a health officer specially appointed for the purpose. During that period over 1,200 latrines have been constructed and are in general use, and the work has gone far to prove to the planter that expenditure on sanitation brings an adequate return and that the labourer appreciates and takes advantage of such efforts. Medical Facilities. ; In the absence of Government or other medical institutions, the provision of medical facilities for their labourers is accepted by most planters as an essential part of their expenditure. In many of the larger and more progressive concerns the medical arrangements are of a high standard. In some cases the unit of organisation consists of a group of 10 to 15 gardens under the control of a highly qualified medical officer responsible for the medical and health work of the whole group. Although in many instances the individual garden dispensaries are manned only by compounders, the chief medical officer ordinarily visits each garden once or twice a week, so that the health of the labourer receives fairly adequate attention. Inthe case of the smaller gardens, as might be expected, the medical arrangements are often unsatisfactory, both as regards staff and facilities for treatment. The compounder takes the

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