LABOR PROBLEMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00423R000400480002-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 16, 1999
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: May 1, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

25X1A2g
P83-00423R000400480QQ2-3_
1 May 1953
COUNTRY: India
SUBJECT: Labor Problems
SOURCE :
25X1X6
25X1A9a
1. Our employees are a mixture of races. In their order of number,
they are Mohammedan, Parsee, and Hindu. We see to it that they
are mixed and not allowed to congregate in one department and
have had only negligible trouble due to racial differences.
2. We have suggestion awards and receive many suggestions. The bulk
are childish things such as to increase pay. In an endeavor to
encourage the workmen, we have paid small awards for minor things
that would. be overlooked in the U.S. On this basis, 25-30 per
of the suggestions are rewarded. The ones recognized. usually cover
safety measures but get a few on production methods. Nothing note-
worthy has been submitted.
3. Many are adept at skilled work and can match U.S. workmen in output.
But we have been plagued all year by a slow down. The chief dif-
ficulty is wage levels and the next most common trouble is selection
of supervision from among the natives. The workmen want a voice in
such choice and usually want the employee with longest service
promoted.
14-. Wage rates are an easy source of trouble as they are complex Most
operations are on a piecework basis. The base rate is determined by
selecting a minimum amount, somewhat above the scale for similar work
in other industries. By time studies, it is found how many units a
normal worker should produce and a piecework rate established.
5. The "dearness" is a percentage of monthly earnings that is determined
by the textile industry and applied to other lines. It varies from
month to month.
6. Annual bonus is a subject of negotiation and invariably decided in
the labor courts. The last one was 5-1/2 months of the base rate.
7. Employees get one month vacation. With one year of service, two weeks
are paid, and over one year, the full month. Paid leave includes 11+
days casual, seven days for sickness, and three national holidays.
uated information for US Officials
Only is su, 4t r . nu sible interest of
your anaiy sts. it eons. issami- RETURN TO CIA
nation liy Mreport.~ 25X1 X6 B
Approved For Release 1999/09/10: CIA-RDRS3=00423R000400480002-3