51. Housing of India’s Industrial Workers

* Housing of India’s Industrial Workers The need to accelerate the provision of housing for India’s industrial workers, was emphasised at the seventh meeting of the Standing Labour Committee which was held recently in New Delhi. The Hon’ble Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Labour Member, Government of India, presided.

The Committee resolved that a sub-committee should be appointed to consider the following matters relating to housing for workers :— (a) Whether there should be a Building Fund for the housing of workers, and the manner in which it can best be raised, and in particular the manner in which the cases of those employers who have already provided housing can be dealt with ;

(b) the basis on which the workers can be required to pay rent;

(c) the minimum standards required for workers houses ; (d) the most suitable manner of administering any fund which becomes available (whether from Government, employer or worker) for the housing of workers ; and (e) the facilities that arc required to be granted by the Central and Provincial Governments and local authorities to facilitate housing schemes for workers.

The sub-committee should be composed of two representatives of the Central Government, two representatives of provinces, two representatives of Indian Stales and three representatives each of employers and employees including representatives of Municipalities and Municipal workers.

Holidays With Pay The Standing labour Committee also discussed draft rules relating to

* Indian Information, December 15, 1945, p. 464.

holidays with pay tentatively framed by the Central Government, under the Factories (Amendment) Act, 1945.

There was a general agreement on the desirability of amending the Workmen’s Compensation Act so as to include in the definition of workmen, to whom the act is applicable those drawing Rs. 400 a month.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Central and Provinicial Governments, Indian States and Chamber of Princes, Organisation of Industrial Employers, Employers’ Federation of India, All-India Trade Union Congress, Indian Federation of Labour and other employers and workers. zz