Whitely Commission Recommendations
The
Whitley Commission, officially known as the Royal Commission on
Labour in India (1929-1931), was established by the British government to
assess the conditions of labor in British India and recommend improvements. The
commission, chaired by John Henry Whitley, made several important
recommendations that addressed the welfare and rights of workers in various
sectors. Below are some key recommendations:
1. Improved Labor Conditions
- Reduction of
working hours in factories.
- Implementation of
proper measures for the health and safety of workers.
- Better housing and
sanitation facilities for workers.
2. Minimum Wage
- Introduction of
minimum wages in industries where wages were extremely low.
- The concept of a
living wage was emphasized to ensure workers could meet basic needs.
3. Regulation of Child and Women Labor
- Prohibition of
child labor below a specific age.
- Reduction of
working hours for women and children to ensure their health and
well-being.
4. Trade Unions
- Encouraged the
formation and recognition of trade unions.
- Suggested
legislation to protect trade union activities and promote collective
bargaining.
5. Social Security
- Recommended schemes
for workmen's compensation for injuries at work.
- Suggested provision
of unemployment benefits and maternity benefits.
6. Dispute Resolution
- Emphasized the
establishment of mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of industrial
disputes.
- Encouraged the
establishment of labor courts and conciliation boards.
7. Agricultural Labor
- Highlighted the
poor conditions of agricultural laborers and suggested measures to improve
their status.
- Advocated for the
reduction of rural indebtedness.
8. Government Role
- Recommended greater
government intervention in labor issues.
- Suggested the
appointment of labor officers to oversee labor welfare measures.
These
recommendations laid the groundwork for labor reforms in India and influenced
subsequent labor legislation, including the Factories Act and the Trade Unions
Act. The commission's work was crucial in shaping the labor policies of pre-
and post-independence India.
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