Joint Management Councils

Under this system, Joint Management Councils are constituted at the plant level. These councils were set up as early as 1958 and consist of an equal number of representatives of the employers and employees, not exceeding 12 at the plant level. The plant should employ at least500 workers. This council is entrusted with the responsibility of administering welfare measures, supervision of safety and health schemes, scheduling of working hours, rewards for suggestions etc. The council is to take up issues related to accident prevention, management of canteens, water, meals, revision of work rules, absenteeism, indiscipline etc.

Attributes of Joint Management Councils

• It can be consulted by management on certain specified matters.
• In certain matters management is expected to share information with members of council.
• The council has administrative responsibilities.
• Subjects under collective bargaining, such as wages, bonus and allowances have been excluded from the scope of JMC.

Objectives of JMC

• Promote healthy relations between management and workers.
• Build trust and understanding between management and workers.
• Improve worker efficiency.
• Provide welfare facilities to the workers.
• Educate workers about the scheme for their increased participation.

Employee Directors

Under this method, one or two representatives of workers are nominated or elected to the Board of Directors. This is the full-fledged and highest form of workers’ participation in management. The basic idea behind this method is that the representation of workers at the top-level would usher Industrial Democracy, congenial employee-employer relations, and safeguard the workers’ interests. The Government of India introduced this scheme in several public sector enterprises such as Hindustan Antibiotics, Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd etc.

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