Labour Bureau Government of India

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CHAPTER-II

ABSENTEEISM

     Information regarding absenteeism among workers in an industrial establishment on account of reasons other than strikes, lockouts, lay-off, weekly rest or suspension, provide a sound database for gauging the employee’s morale, commitment and level of job satisfaction which have a direct bearing on productivity of the establishment. It is one of the indicators to monitor and evaluate various labour welfare programmes and labour policies. With this aim in view, statistics on absenteeism amongst the directly employed regular workers are collected as a part of the Annual Survey of Industries. Absenteeism rate among workers in an industry or a state is worked out as percentages of mandays lost due to absence to the mandays scheduled to work in the respective industry or state.  Statistics on factories reporting absenteeism, mandays scheduled to work and mandays lost due to absence by States, industries and Sectors during 2000 are presented in Tables 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3 and 2.1.4.  The main observations on the data are analysed below:

2.1         Absenteeism in States

State-wise absenteeism rate amongst the directly employed regular workers during the year 2000 is presented in Table 2.1.1.  It is observed that at the all India level the rate of absenteeism during the year 2000 was 9.50 percent as against that of 9.85 percent during the year 1999.  Among States, the highest rate of absenteeism was witnessed in Delhi (14.23 percent) followed by Kerala (12.70 percent) and Maharashtra (12.09 percent).  On the other hand, the lowest rate of absenteeism was observed in Dadra & Nagar Haveli (5.39 percent) followed by Andhra Pradesh (5.79 percent) and Chhattisgarh (6.19 percent).  Out of 26 States, only 12 States reported higher absenteeism rates than that at all India level during the year 2000.  As compared to 1999, an increase in the rate of absenteeism was recorded in 8 States during the year 2000.

2.2         Absenteeism in Industries

Industry-wise absenteeism rate amongst directly employed regular workers during the year 2000 is presented in Table 2.1.2.  During the year 2000, the highest rate of absenteeism was observed in Industry Group ‘323-Manufacture of television and radio receivers, sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus and associated goods’ (14 .45 percent) followed by industry group ‘315–Manufacture of electric lamps and lighting equipment’ (14.26 percent), whereas, the lowest rate of absenteeism was reported in Industry Group ‘014-Agricultural and animal husbandry service activities, except veterinary activities’ (5.78 percent) followed by industry group ‘153-Manufacture of grain mill products, starches and starch products and prepared animal feeds‘ (6.70 percent).  Out of a total of 62 industry groups, 35 industry groups recorded higher absenteeism rate as compared to that at all India level.  As compared to 1999, an increase in absenteeism rate was recorded in 20 industries groups during the year 2000.

2.3         Absenteeism in Sectors by States

State-wise and Sector-wise data regarding absenteeism rates amongst directly employed regular workers during the year 2000 are presented in Table 2.1.3.  It is observed that amongst sectors, the highest rate of absenteeism was observed in Joint Sector (9.55 percent) followed by Private Sector (9.51 percent) and Public Sector (8.09 percent).

In Public Sector, the highest and the lowest rates of absenteeism were observed in Chandigarh (11.92 percent) and Punjab (3.24 percent), respectively.  In Joint Sector, the highest rate of absenteeism was observed in Karnataka (14.84 percent), whereas, the lowest rate of absenteeism was observed in Andhra Pradesh (3.81 percent).  In Private Sector, the highest absenteeism rate was observed in Delhi (14.24 percent) and the lowest rate was reported in Dadra & Nagar Haveli (5.34 percent).

2.4         Absenteeism in Sectors by Industries

Industry-wise and Sector-wise data on absenteeism rate amongst directly employed regular workers is presented in Table 2.1.4.  In Public Sector, the highest and lowest rate of absenteeism were observed in the industry groups ‘273–Casting of metals’ (20.62 percent) and ‘359-Manufacture of transport equipment n.e.c.' (1.18 percent), respectively.  In Joint Sector, the highest and lowest rate of absenteeism were recorded in industry groups ‘171-Spinning, weaving and finishing of textiles’ (15.46 percent) and ‘221-Publishing’ (2.98 percent).  In Private Sector, the highest and the lowest rate of absenteeism were reported in industry groups ‘315–Manufacture of electric lamps and lighting equipment’ (14.27 percent) and ‘014-Agricultural and animal husbandry service activities, except veterinary activities’  (5.90 percent), respectively.

TABLES