Labour Bureau, set up on October 03, 1920, is a premium organization in the field of labour statistics.
Labour Bureau is an attached office under the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
History of Labour Bureau
The Government of India, in Shimla, in the year 1920, established Labour Bureau, originally known as “Indian Labour Bureau.
The Directorate of Cost of Living was set up at Shimla in 1941.
Finally, the need for more comprehensive labour statistics in the context of formulation of labour policy led to the setting up of the Labour Bureau in October 1946 by rechristening the Directorate of Cost of Living with added functions.
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Key objective of Labour Bureau
To act as a storehouse of vital economic indicators including Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial, Agricultural and Rural Labourers; Wage Rate Indices and data on employment, industrial relations, socio-economic conditions in the organised and unorganised sector of industry, etc.
Vision of Labour Bureau
Making Labour Bureau a premier agency in the field of Labour and Price Statistics.
Mission of Labour Bureau
• Compilation and timely release of Price Indices
• To serve as the data driven and dynamic storehouse in the field of Labour Statistics
Functions of Labour Bureau
It is engaged in the collection, compilation and publication of price indices, employment, unemployment, wages, earnings, absenteeism, labour turnover, industrial relations and working and living conditions of different segments of labour.
Besides, it is also a major source of primary data pertaining to several important economic indicators. These include the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers, Agricultural and Rural Labourers, Wage Rate Indices, wages, earnings, absenteeism, labour turnover, industrial relations, socio-economic conditions of workers in the organized and unorganized sectors of industry, etc.
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The Bureau also collects administrative statistics under the 11 Labour Acts.
With the formulation of the four Labour Codes, the Bureau is also proposed to be designated as the nodal agency for collection of statistical returns under all the four Labour Codes.
Labour & Employment Statistical System (LESS)
Labour Bureau is discharging its functions by implementing a continuing Central Sector Scheme called the “Labour & Employment Statistical System” (LESS). The activities carried out under the scheme generate useful price, labour and employment statistics which have wide-ranging users nationally and internationally.
Various series of index numbers constructed and maintained by Labour Bureau
(a) Consumer Price Index Numbers (CPI) – Industrial Workers
(b) Consumer Price Index Numbers (CPI)- Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers
(c) Wage Rate Indices in respect of industries covered under the Occupational Wage Surveys.
(d) Retail Price Indices for 31 Essential Commodities in Urban Areas.
Regular Publications of Labour Bureau
Indian Labour Journal (Monthly), Indian Labour Statistics (Annual), Pocket Book of Labour Statistics (Annual) and Indian Labour Year Book (Annual).
Significance of Labour Bureau
The data provided by Bureau has immense utility in formulation of evidence based policies and plans in the field of labour and employment. The data so produced is also in great demand for research and academic purposes.
External link: https://labourbureau.gov.in/
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUES . In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers? UPSC 2022
(a) Central Statistics Office
(b) Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
(c) Labour Bureau
(d) National Technical Manpower Information System
Answer (c)
QUES . Which of the following brings out the ‘Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers’? UPSC 2015
(a) The Reserve Bank of India
(b) The Department of Economic Affairs
(c) The Labour Bureau
(d) The Department of Personnel and Training
Answer (c)
