Odisha Labour Welfare Fund: Applicability, Contribution, Rules, Benefits

The government constituted the Odisha Labour Welfare Fund (‘Fund’) under the Odisha Labour Welfare Fund Act, 2005 (‘Act’) to promote labour welfare and help them with financing in times of need. The Odisha Labour Welfare Board (‘Board’) was created to maintain and manage the Fund.

Odisha Labour Welfare Fund

The Odisha Labour Welfare Fund was created to provide services and facilities to the labourers, employees and workers working in establishments covered under the Act. The main aim of this Fund is to improve working conditions and the overall quality of life for workers. To provide these services to them, employees and employers contribute to the Fund twice a year. The Odisha Labour Welfare Board maintains this Fund. 

Odisha Labour Welfare Fund Rules

The Odisha Labour Welfare Fund Rules, 2015, provides for the mode of payment to the Fund, mode of depositing contributions to the Fund, maintenance of registers, meeting of the Board, budget of the Board, etc. The Odisha Labour Welfare Fund Act and Rules applies to the entire state of Odisha.

Odisha Labour Welfare Fund Applicability

The following establishments in Odisha are covered under the Act: 

• Factories covered under the Factories Act 1948 employing one or more employees.
• Motor transport undertakings established under the Motor Transport Workers Act 1961 employing one or more employees.
• Establishments under the Orissa Shops and Commercial Establishment Act, 1956, employing 20 or more employees.
• A registered society,  charitable or other trust carrying on charitable business, trade or any such ancillary work, employing more than 20 persons.

The Act covers all employees employed for hire or reward to do any manual, unskilled, supervisory, skilled, clerical or technical work in an establishment but does not include any person:

• Employed in a managerial capacity or supervisory capacity. 
• Employed as an apprentice or on a part-time basis.

Odisha Labour Welfare Fund Contribution

The employers and employees working in the establishments covered under the Act must contribute to the Fund half-yearly. They must contribute on 30th June and 31st December every year, and the returns should be filed on 15th July and 15th January with the Board. 

The amount contribution amount towards the Odisha Labour Welfare Fund is as follows:

• Employer contribution: Rs.20
• Employee contribution: Rs.10
• Total contribution: Rs.30

Odisha Labour Welfare Fund Benefits

The Board may utilise the contributions made to the Fund for the following purposes:

• Pre-schools.
• Reading rooms and libraries.
• Nutritious food for children of employees and vocational training.
• Home industries and subsidiary occupations for women and unemployed persons.
• Tours, excursions and holiday homes.
• Games and sports.
• Community necessities.
• Any other scheme formulated by the government to improve the standard of living and social conditions of labour.

The Odisha Labour Welfare Fund ensures that all the labourers and employees get assistance for better living standards, social security and good working conditions. This fund not only benefits the worker but also their families. 

Also read about:
1. West Bengal Labour Welfare Fund
2. Telangana Labour Welfare Fund 
3. Tamil Nadu Labour Welfare Fund
4. Delhi Labour Welfare Fund