Worker Director Scheme Revisited: Re-Packaging and Revival for a Changed Era in India, a Torch Bearer for the World
Keywords:
Worker Director, Worker Participation in Management, Change, Industrial Relations, Board of DirectorsAbstract
With the New Economic Policy, the entire field of industrial relations, now renamed as employee relations, has undergone a metamorphosis. Workers Participation in Management has also undergone similar changes. With a more educated and informed workforce, the need of the hour is to introduce or redesign schemes that match contemporary trends. This paper makes a case for reviving the Worker Director Scheme launched in the 70s by the government of India.
After a review of literature that explains the Worker Director Schemes to be failure in major parts of the world, the reasons for failure in India are highlighted. Next, the changing times and various factors are highlighted which are conducive for bringing the scheme again. Finally, the things to be considered while re-launching this scheme are highlighted. Some of these include proper training, open communication channel, role clarity and equitable treatment of the Worker Director. The paper concludes by suggesting a revival of Worker Director Scheme given the changed time and circumstances but with all the aforesaid considerations.