Problems and Prospects of Tea Plantation Industry in Kerala

The overall objective of the study is to examine the problems and prospects of the tea on industry in Kerala. The specific objectives are to trace the historical evolution of the tea plantation industry in India with special reference to Kerala and to study the performance of tea plantation industry in Kerala. In order to analyse the growth performance of tea plantation industry in Kerala in a comparative perspective, growth rates for the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamilnadu are estimated along with the National, South Indian and North Indian estimates. Tea plantation industry is a labour intensive activity. Productivity has been low primarily because of the over aging. In all the factories visited only Black tea is produced. In factories outmoded machines which installed years ago is still used which will increase the cost of production. The major problem is high cost of production and low price realization. The workers are found to be not satisfied with their working conditions- long journey to work place, absence of resting places, latrine facilities etc. and also the problems arising from dust in the factory. At a macro level the tea plantation industry has been facing the adverse impacts of globalisation and trade liberalization. There is only one solution to this problem that is to improve the competitiveness in production of raw leaf and manufacturing of tea. Government has a very important role with specification of strict quality control

Private and Co-operative Granite Quarries in Thrissur District - A Comparative Study

The study is confined to non-mechanised private and cooperative granite quarries in Thrissur district. There are 90 non -mechanised quarries in Thrissur district. Data were collected for the period from 1994-'95 to 1999-2000. 315* March of every year was considered as the closing date of the year. It envisages an analysis of various problems connected with quarrying operations, financial analysis, cost analysis, demand and supply position of quarry products and socio-economic background of workers. It also suggest some measures to improve the working conditions of granite quarrying.

“A Study on Human Resource Management Practices in Private Hospitals in Kerala”

The healthcare sector in Kerala is witnessing a spiralling growth due to the healthy economic development and the serious outlook of individuals towards personal health. Private sector is thriving exuberantly well since there is a wide gap between demand and supply for healthcare due to the lack of government initiatives. The proliferation of these private hospitals have paved the way for many unhealthy practices like poor working conditions, low wages, excess workload and lack of retirement and welfare measures to the employees. This state of affairs demanded a serious investigation into the functioning of the private hospitals in Kerala, especially on the human resource management practices, as the success of every organisation depends on the satisfaction level of its employees, which, in turn, will benefit the consumer, i.e., the patients. Hence the present study was undertaken to find out the extent of human resource management practices in private hospitals in Kerala with a view to suggest appropriate remedial measures wherever required

Social Clause of WTO and India

The concept of social clause has been accepted in the GATT agreement to prescribe the labour standards. Social clause , $tands for protecting labour standards, more specificalfy prohibition of employment of children in hazardous industries, providing adequate wages. healthy and hygienic working conditions, special social welfare protection for women, prescription of hours of work and rest and provision for efficacious remedy in case of default by employer to provide these conditions to his workers.