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 24th 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.