(iii) PLANTATION LABOUR ACT, 1951

· The Plantation Labour Act, 1951 provides for the welfare of plantation labour and regulates the conditions of work in plantations.

· The Act is administered by the State Governments and is applied to any land used as plantations which measures 5 hectares or more in which 15 or more persons are working. The State Governments are however, free to declare any plantation land less than 5 hectares or less than 15 persons to be covered by the Act. It applies to all the plantation workers whose monthly wages does not exceed Rs.750/- per month.

· In every Plantation covered under the Act medical facilities for the workers and their families are to be made readily available as may be prescribed by the State Government.

· The Act provides for setting up of canteens, creches, recreational facilities suitable accommodation and educational facilities for the benefit of plantation workers in and around the work places in the plantation estate.

· The Act provides that no adult workers and adolescent or child shall be employed for more than 48 hours and 27 hours respectively a week, and every worker is entitled for a day of rest in every period of 7 days.