Vol. 10 · pages 901–905

880 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES The basic standard weekly rations at controlled rates for coal-mine workers in Bihar consists of 4 seers each for the worker and adult dependent and 2 seers for a child and dal at one-fourth basic ration at a concession rate of 6 seers per rupee. In addition 1/2 seer of rice or other foodgrain is given free for each attendance at mines. Some of the collieries in Bengal have adopted the same scale with slight variations while others allow a flat rate of 6 seers per week per worker at reduced prices. In some collieries in the C.P. and Berar ration at concession rates is allowed on the scale of 6 seers a week per adult worker, 3 1/2 seers for each woman dependant and l¾ for each child. No special officers of Government apart from the usual Food Rationing Organisations have been appointed to look after distribution of ration to workers. In respect of coal mines, however, six Ration Inspectors have been appointed, three for Bihar under the Bihar Government and three for Bengal attached to the Department of Mines. 300 *Fixation of Minimum Living Wages of Labour @ 937. Mr. Amarendra Nath Chattopadhyaya : (a) Has the Honourable the Labour Member fixed the minimum living wages of labour in factories, mills and mines in accordance with the price of essential foodstuffs and clothing required by the labouring classes ? (b) Is there any arrangement for the education of children of the labourers in the factories, mills and mines ? Is there any educational arrangement for adult labourers ? (c) Is there any provision for holidays with pay in factories, mills and mines ? What arrangements are there for medical treatment ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) There is no legislation for fixing minimum wages for employees in factories including mills, or in mines. (b) Educational facilities outside factories or mines whether for children of workers or for adult workers are provided by provincial authorities. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1945, 13th March 1945, p. 1407. @ Answer to this question laid on the table, the questioner being absent.

881 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS The owners of some undertakings have made provisions themselves for both purposes but no detailed information in this regard is available with me. The Honourable Member is no doubt aware that there is no legal obligation in this respect of the owners of industrial undertakings. (c) There is no legal provision requiring holidays with pay to be given. As regards non-seasonal factories there is a Bill on this subject before this House which it has referred to a Select Committee. Apart from legal provisions many concerns give to their employees holidays with pay to varying extent. As regards medical treatment the only statutory provisions within factories and mines relate to the provision of first aid. Some concerns run dispensaries and hospitals but apart from these the employees have to depend on the medical facilities provided by the Provincial Governments. 301 *Women Labour in Mines 938. Mr. Amarendra Nath Chattopadhyaya : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state the number of women labour in the mines and if there is child labour in mines, i.e., minors in the mines. If so, what ages ? (b) What maternity benefits are given to women in factories, mills and mines ? How long does the Honourable Member contemplate to continue women labour in mines ? (c) What is the function of the Labour Welfare Officers in the factories, mills and mines ? What are their qualifications ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) In 1943 the number of women labour in mines was 72,403 (this figure includes those working above and underground). Figures for 1944 are not available. In accordance with the Indian Mines Act, no children are employed in mines. (b) A comparative statement showing some of the important provisions of Legislation regarding maternity benefit at present in force (or in contemplation) is laid on the table of the House. Recent * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 945, 13th March 1945, pp. 1408-09.

882 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES information from Bombay and Madras indicates that some of the mills in those provinces have increased the maternity benefit from the statutory rate of annas eight to annas twelve per day. With regard to the second part of the question, there is no intention to withdraw women completely from work in mines. (e) The functions of the Labour Welfare Officers generally are : (i) to establish close contact between the employers and the workmen in all aspects of labour relations and conditions of work ; (ii) to promote proper understanding, closer co-operation and mutual appreciation of difficulties, between the employers and the workmen; (iii) to make constructive suggestions for workmen’s welfare, and to coordinate and supervise all welfare activities of the undertakings ; (iv) to acquaint themselves with the grievances of the workers, and to secure redress of such grievances and generally to attempt to remove causes of friction. As regards qualifications while academic qualifications are given due importance, the essential qualification is that the candidates should have experience of social work, preference being given to those who have successfully undergone a recognised training course like that of the Calcutta University or the Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work, Bombay. Comparative Statement showing some of the important provisions of Legislation regarding maternity benefit at present in force (or in contemplation) in the provinces and the mines Province Year in which passed Qualifying period (months) Maximum period for maternity benefits (Weeks) Rate of maternity benefits Penalty for contravention of Act by employer Bombay 1929 9 8 8 annas a day or average daily wages, whichever is less. But in the cities of Bombay and Ahmedabad 8 annas a day. Rs. 500

883 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Province Year in which passed Qualifying period (months) Maximum period for maternity benefits (Weeks) Rate of maternity benefits Penalty for contravention of Act by employer C.P. and Berar 1930 9 8 8 annas a day or average daily wages, whichever is less. Rs. 500 Madras 1934 240 days (8 months) within a period of one year. 7 8 annas a day. 250 U.P. 1938 6 8 8 annas a day or average daily wages, whichever is greater. 500 for first offence and 1,000 for the second and any subsequent offence. Bengal 1939 9 8 Ditto. 500 Punjab 1943 9 60 days 12 annas a day 500 Assam 1944 150 days 8 1. In planation Re. 1 per week for the period before confinement and Rs. 1/4/- per week for the period after confinement, provided the total cash payment is Rs. 14. 500 2. In other employments Rs. 2 per week or average weekly wage or salary whichever is greater. Mines (under the Indian Mines Maternity Benefit Act.). 1941 6 8 8 annas a day 500

884 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES 302 * Training Indians in Labour Welfare in United Kingdom @ 939. Mr. Amarendra Nath Chattopadhyaya : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state if it is a fact that the Labour Department is going to send a considerable number of men for training in labour welfare to the U. K. ? If so, why Government cannot train these people in India ? What would be the cost of their training scheme ? What would be the minimum qualification required of such trainees ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) It is proposed to send in the first instance, three batches of 20 officers each, of whom about 12 will be officers of the Central Government and 8 of Provincial Governments and States. Financial sanction has been accorded to the sending of 12 Central Government officers with the first batch of trainees. In the initial stages the training and experience necessary for labour administration in the immediate post-war period cannot be acquired in India except by a lengthy process of trial and error. It is therefore, necessary to take advantages of the experience and practice of other more highly industrialised countries like the United Kingdom. The cost to the Central Government is estimated at Rupees one lakh for the nominees in the first batch. The Provincial Governments and States will bear the charges in respect of their nominees. The minimum qualifications are that the officers should be under Government employment or designated to fill posts under Government and should have experience of welfare work or administration of labour legislation. Officers having high educational qualification will be given preference. 303 † Factory Inspectors and Labour Welfare Officers in Delhi Province 964. Shrimati K. Radha Bai Subbarayan : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state : (a) the number of Factory Inspectors and Labour Welfare Officers in the Delhi Province, and if they include women ; * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. II of 1945, 13th March 1945, pp. 1409-10. †Ibid, p. 1422. @ Answer to this question laid on the table, the questioner being absent.