Date: 2021-11-10Category: Not ApplicableState: Tamil NaduCountry: India
HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT - Notification under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020
**Executive Summary**
The Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, dated November 16, 2016, publishes a draft amendment to the Tamil Nadu Plantations Labour Rules, 1955. The amendment pertains to the appointment, qualifications, recruitment, conditions of service, and duties of Welfare Officers in plantations. Objections or suggestions regarding the draft amendment must be submitted to the Secretary to Government, Labour and Employment Department, within six weeks of publication.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Appointment of Welfare Officers:**
* Plantations employing 300 or more workers must appoint at least one welfare officer.
* For plantations exceeding 1500 workers, one assistant welfare officer must be appointed for every 1500 workers (or fraction thereof exceeding 300).
* If a plantation employs 300 or more workers, the Welfare officer must be a woman when the majority of workers are women.
* If a plantation exceeds 1500 workers, the assistant Welfare officer must be a woman if more than 300 women are employed.
* Where the number of women workers exceeds one thousand and five hundred, the assistant welfare officers to be appointed shall be a woman at the rate of one assistant welfare officer for every one thousand and five hundred women workers or fraction thereof, if such fraction exceeds three hundred.
* **Qualifications for Welfare Officers:**
* A Master's Degree in Labour Management, or a Bachelor's Degree in Labour Management awarded by the Tamil Nadu Institute of Labour Studies, Chennai.
* A Post Graduate Degree or Diploma in Social Work, Social Science, Personnel Management, Labour Relations or Social Welfare with Labour Laws on Industrial Relations and Labour Welfare or Industrial Relations as a main subject of any University or Institution recognized by the University Grants Commission for the purpose of its grant.
* A Post Graduate Diploma in Labour Administration awarded by the Tamil Nadu Institute of Labour Studies, Chennai; or
* A Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management, Industrial Relations and Labour Welfare awarded by the Productivity Councils in Tamil Nadu or any other Institutions recognized by the State Government for this purpose.
* A Post Graduate Diploma in Labour Laws and Administrative Laws conducted by Dr.Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai.
* A Degree of any University or Institution recognized by the University Grants Commission for the purpose of its grant and a Diploma in Labour Laws awarded by the Indian Law Institute, New Delhi.
* Must possess adequate knowledge of the language spoken by the majority of the workers in the plantation.
* **Recruitment Process:**
* Vacancies for welfare officers must be advertised in two daily newspapers (one in Tamil, one in English).
* Government undertaking plantations and private plantations financially assisted by the Government must fill vacancies through the Employment Exchange.
* Newspaper advertisements for these plantations are allowed after obtaining a non-availability certificate from the Employment Exchange.
* Selection is made by a committee appointed by the employer.
* Appointment details, including qualifications, age, pay, and terms of service, must be notified to the State Government.
* **Conditions of Service for Welfare Officers:**
* Welfare officers should have appropriate status corresponding to plantation executive staff.
* Service conditions should match those of other staff of similar status.
* In case of dismissal, the welfare officer / assistant welfare officer has a right of appeal to the chief inspector of plantations, whose decision is final. The appeal must be preferred within thirty days from the date of receipt by the welfare officer of the order or discharge or dismissal.
* Pay scale and allowances should be equivalent to other officers of similar status.
* No penalty should be imposed without written notification and an opportunity to defend themselves.
* **Duties of Welfare Officers:**
* Establish contacts and hold consultations to maintain harmonious relations between plantation management and the workers.
* Bring worker grievances to management and act as a liaison officer.
* Study the viewpoint of labour to help management formulate labor policies and interpret them.
* Watch industrial relations and help resolve disputes.
* Advise on fulfilling statutory obligations, including working hours, maternity benefits, medical care, compensation, and other welfare measures.
* Advise on fulfillment of obligations relating to prevention of personal injuries and maintaining a safe work environment.
* Promote relations between departments and workers to improve efficiency and working conditions.
* Encourage the formation of works and joint production committees, co-operative societies, and welfare committees, and supervise their work.
* Encourage provision of amenities like canteens, shelters, schools, creches, latrine facilities, drinking water, medical facilities, and superannuation benefits.
* Assist with leave regulations and advise workers on leave procedures.
* Advise on welfare facilities, sanitation, and education.
* Advise on training new starters and supervisors.
* Suggest measures to raise the standard of living of workers.
* Work to improve educational facilities and promote family welfare.
* Implement the scheme of eradication of illiteracy among the workers in co-ordination with the Education Department authorities or any other agencies as the case may be.
* **Restrictions:**
* Welfare officers cannot handle disciplinary cases or represent management against workers except as an independent witness required by a Conciliation Officer, Court or Tribunal.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Plantation Employers**
* **Impact:** New requirements regarding the appointment of welfare officers based on the number of employees, qualifications, and gender of employees. Changes to recruitment processes and conditions of service, including procedures for discipline and appeals.
* **Action Required:** Assess current workforce to determine if new welfare officer appointments are needed. Adjust recruitment and hiring processes to align with new qualification requirements.
**Stakeholder: Plantation Workers**
* **Impact:** Potentially increased access to welfare officers and assistance in resolving grievances. The assurance of appropriate consideration and safeguards in disciplinary actions.
* **Action Required:** Understand the role of welfare officers in grievance resolution and assistance with workplace issues.
**Stakeholder: Potential Welfare Officer Candidates**
* **Impact:** Clearer definition of qualification requirements for welfare officer positions. Standardization of recruitment procedures.
* **Action Required:** Ensure educational background and experience meet the new criteria. Prepare for a standardized recruitment process.
**Stakeholder: State Government (Labour and Employment Department)**
* **Impact:** Oversight and enforcement of the new rules regarding welfare officer appointments and processes.
* **Action Required:** Establish procedures for receiving appointment notifications from plantations and potentially reviewing welfare officer qualifications. Review objections or suggestions and consider making changes.
Key Entities Referenced
Tamil Nadu Plantations Labour Rules: The primary subject of the draft amendment. Original rules were established in 1955.
Plantations Labour Act, 1951: Central act authorizing the rule-making power being exercised.
Labour and Employment Department (Tamil Nadu): The department responsible for the notification and amendment of the rules.
Chennai: Location of the Fort St.George where the Labour and Employment Department is and where suggestions can be sent.