Q.21. Define Max Weber’s bureaucracy. (AKTU. 2014 - 15)
Ans. Max Weber’s Bureaucracy: -
Max Weber’s bureaucracy is a mode of organization which is premised on the separation of the public form the domestic world. This means that behaviour in the public domain is regulated by explicit rules and regulations. Moreover, as a public institution, bureaucracy restricts the power of the officials in regard to their responsibilities and does not provide absolute power to them.
Q.22. What are the essentials of a good grievance procedure? Discuss in brief. (AKTU. 2014 - 15)
Ans. A Grievance procedure should incorporate the following features: -
1. Conformity with existing legislation - The grievance procedure should be designed in conformity with the existing statutory provisions. Where practicable, the procedure can make use of such machinery as the law might have already provided for.
2. Acceptability - The grievance procedure must be accepted by everybody. In order to be generally acceptable, it must ensure (a) a sense of fair-play and justice to the worker, (b) reasonable exercise of authority to the manager, and (c) adequate participation of the union.
3. Simplicity - The procedure should be simple enough to be understood by every employee. The steps should be as few as possible. Channels for handling grievances should be carefully developed. Employees must know the authorities to be contacted at various levels. Information about the procedure can be thoroughly disseminated among all employees through pictures, charts, diagrams, etc.
4. Promptness - Speedy settlement of a grievance is the cornerstone of a sound personnel policy. Justice delayed is justice denied. The procedure should aim at a rapid disposal of the grievance. This can be achieved by incorporating the following features in the procedure:
(a) As far as possible, grievances should be settled at the lowest level.
(b) No matter should ordinarily be taken up at more than two levels, i.e., normally there should be only one appeal.
(c) Different types of grievances may be referred to appropriate authorities.
(d) Time limit should be placed at each step and it should be rigidly followed at each level.
5. Training - In order to ensure effective working of the grievance procedure, it is necessary that supervisors and the union representatives are given training in working of the grievance procedure.
6. Follow-up - The working of the grievance procedure should be reviewed periodically by the personnel department and necessary changes should be introduced to make it more effective.
Q.23. What do you mean by slum? (AKTU. 2014 - 15)
Ans. A slum is always an area. Furthermore, the term “housing conditions” refers to actual living conditions rather than to the mere physical appearance of building. Thus, overcrowded rooming houses and houses without basic amenities such as water tap, flush, electricity, etc. may be considered as standard under the existing conditions.
The slum is a complex product of many factors,as is true of many other social phenomena. But poverty is the foremost cause. Low income forces people to live in slums. But it is also true that almost any area will turn into a slum, if its residents do not take proper care of their dwellings.
Q.24. What is minimum Wages Act? (AKTU. 2014 - 15)
Ans. The Minimum Wages Act 1948 is an Act of Parliament concerning Indian labour law that sets the minimum wages that must be paid to skilled and unskilled labours. The Indian Constitution has defined a 'living wage' that is the level of income for a worker which will ensure a basic standard of living including good health, dignity, comfort, education and provide for any contingency. However, to keep in mind an industry's capacity to pay the constitution has defined a 'fair wage'. Fair wage is that level of wage that not just maintains a level of employment, but seeks to increase it keeping in perspective the industry’s capacity to pay. To achieve this in its first session during November 1948, the Central Advisory Council appointed a Tripartite Committee of Fair Wage. This committee came up with the concept of Minimum Wages. A minimum wage is such a wage that it not only guarantees bare subsistence and preserves efficiency but also provides for education, medical requirements and some level of comfort. India introduced the Minimum Wages Act in 1948, giving both the Central government and State government jurisdiction in fixing wages. The act is legally non-binding, but statutory. Payment of wages below the minimum wage rate amounts to forced labour. Wage Boards are set up to review the industry’s capacity to pay and fix minimum wages such that they at least cover a family of four’s requirements of calories, shelter, clothing, education, medical assistance, and entertainment. Under the law, wage rates in scheduled employments differ across states, sectors, skills, regions and occupations owing to difference in costs of living, regional industries' capacity to pay, consumption patterns, etc. Hence, there is no single uniform minimum wage rate across the country and the structure has become overly complex. The highest minimum wage rate as updated in 2012 is Rs. 322/day in Andaman and Nicobar to Rs. 38/day in Tripura.
Content: -
The Act provides for fixing wage rate (time, piece, guaranteed time, overtime) for any industry that has at least 1000 workers.
(1) While fixing hours for a normal working day as per the act should make sure of the following:
The number of hours that are to be fixed for a normal working day should have one or more intervals/breaks included.
At least one day off from an entire week should be given to the employee for rest.
Payment for the day decided to be given for rest should be paid at a rate not less than the overtime rate.
(2) If an employee is involved in work that categorises his service in two or more scheduled employments, the employee’s wage will include respective wage rate of all work for the number of hours dedicated at each task.
(3) It is mandatory for the employer to maintain records of all employee’s work, wages and receipts .
(4) Appropriate governments will define and assign the task of inspection and appoint inspectors for the same.
