The Bombay Labour Welfare Fund Act

            The adoption of Bombay Labour Welfare Act, 1953 is but a most important measure since its activities not only give benefits to the workers but also to their families and dependents. The workers of Gujarat are, are, therefore, fortunate that such measures are statutorily available to them through a Statutory Body.

            The Bombay Labour Welfare Fund Act 1953 passed by the then Bombay Government and brought into force with effect from 24^th June 1953. It was enforced only into 6 towns of Gujarat area which were then in Bombay State. The purpose of the Act is to provide for the Constitution of a Fund for the financing of activities to promote welfare of labour in the State of Gujarat and for conducting such welfare activities. After the formation of Gujarat State, certain amendments were made in the light of the judgment of the Supreme Court and the amended Act was brought into force with effect from 1-7-62 in the said 6 towns and with effect from 1-10-62 in the other areas of the State.

            The Act inter-alia provides the construction of the Fund called the Labour Welfare Fund in which the following sums held by the "Establishments" (Registered factories including Government factories, motor omnibus service and any society and establishment employing 10 or more persons.

   (1)   All fines realised from employees

   (2)   All unpaid accumulations.

   (3)   Any voluntary donations.

   (4)   Labour Welfare Fund of an Estt. Transferred to the Board to continue activities           conducted by that Estt.

   (5)   Public borrowing.

   (6)   Tripartite contribution from Employees, Employees, Employers and State Government.

The Labour Welfare Fund is vested, held and applied by the Gujarat Labour Welfare Board as Trustees and the moneys therein are utilised by the Board to defray the cost of carrying out measures to promote. The main activities as defined in the Act are as unser :-

   (a)     Community and social education centers including reading rooms and libraries.

   (b)     Community necessities.

   (c)     Games and Sports.

   (d)     Entertainment and other forms of recreations.

   (e)     Home industries and subsidiary occupation for women and unemployed persons;

    (f)      Co-operate activities of a social nature.

    (g)    Cost of administering the Act including the salaries and allowances of the staff           appointed for the purpose of Act; and

    (h)    Such other objects as would in the State Government improve the standard of living           and ameliorate the social conditions of labour.

Provide d that the Fund shall not be utilised in financing any measures which the employer is required under any law for the time being in force to carry out.

            The Gujarat Labour Welfare Board which is a statutory Body constituted under the Bombay Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1953 (extended to the whole State of Gujarat since October 1962) is conducting activities for the benefits of the industrial workers employed in the factories and to their dependents at present but it is looking for a day, when it would be in a position to serve the entire labour population of the State.

            The Board nominated by the State Government is a representative body consisting of representatives of employers, employees, independent members and the women representative. There are 14 members of the Board. The term of the Boards, is for three years. It has a Chairman elected from among the independent members. The main function of the Board is to formulate the policies which are to be implemented by the Welfare Commissioner.