Labour unrest and ways to mitigate labour unrest…

Presented by: Nishna Sathyan, K.M

What is labour unrest???

Labour unrest is an industrial action in which members of a workforce

obstruct the normal process of business and generate industrial unrest.

Weapons used by labour during times of industrial disputes

• Strike

• Boycott

• Picketing

• Gherao

Causes of industrial dispute…

Demand for

• higher wages and allowance

• payment of bonus

• higher social security benefits

• Good and safer working conditions

• Improved labour welfare

Maruti Suzuki Crisis

Causes…

• Workers perceive the management as distant and unresponsive,

seeking only to obstruct their demands

• Managers have been disinclined to negotiate with striking workers and

union leaders, who are viewed as troublemakers and opportunists

What made the situation worst…

• Introduction of Japanese Work Culture by the Management

• Constant Cost Reductions

• A Grueling Work Ethic

• Unyielding Deadlines

• Unpaid Overtime

• Oppressive ‘culture of rules’

Ultimately it lead to…

• Death of one senior employee and injured close to 100 others• Loss of over Rs. 2,500 crore for the company

• Increase involvement at the floor-level with the workers.

• A transparent feedback system,

• Grievance redressal

• Open communication among representatives of workers

Lesson for the upper management…

Indian labour laws…need A change…

It is criticized for Complexity Lack of modernization, Inflexibility Poor implementation

Way to mitigate labour unrest…

• Humans must be treated as human being and not just a means of production.

• Identification of factors that might lead to conflict between workers and

management.

• Provision for fair equitable remuneration to workers.

• Labour should not be under-estimated.

• Challenging jobs should be given to workers.

Industrial Dispute…What HRs can do???

• Ask people how they feel.

• Assure them that you really care about them.

• Maintain open and honest communication.

• Act as a consultant and mediator to sort out issues in an effective manner.

• Take timely action and prevent matters from going out of hands.

Conclusion…

For industrial peace build trust and confidence between white coller and blue coller…

References…

• Aswathappa, K ( 2015) ‘Human Resource Management’, McGraw Hill Education

Pvt Ltd, New Delhi.

• http://india-briefing.com/

• http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-07-22/news/32777541_1_ma

ruti-suzuki-s-manesar-maruti-s-manesar-shinzo-nakanishi

• http://www.importantindia.com/17067/labor-unrest-in-india/