IR Highlights of 2012

IR Highlights of 2012

As we come to end of the year 2012, I wish all the readers “Happy New Year 2013”. This article focuses on the Industrial Relation Crisis that took place across the world in 2012, which would help the readers to gain information and insights regarding the IR issues.

Labor unrest across the world is increasing at an alarming rate which leads to strike and lock outs. According to the Labor Bureau data the first five months of the 2012 recorded 108 industrial disputes, which is 12 % high when compared with 2011. Between January and May around 97 disputes were registered and it cost a total loss of 9, 60,089 man-days. While looking at a bigger picture on these IR issues there is a striking similarity between most of the unrests which was demanded for higher wages and better working conditions.

June 2012, work stalled at the two main units of Arvind Mills in Gujarat, India. Around 4000 workers were unwilling to work until the company announces a wage hike.

June 08, 2012, around 500 workmen of Hitachi Home and Life Solution situated in Kadi Gujarat India went on strike for 40 days demanding for permanent employment.

July 18,2012 can be marked as the black day for the HR fraternity. The violent labor unrest in Maruti Suzuki India, Manesar plant in Haryana which caused a huge loss to the company and the General Manager HR- Awanish Kumar Dev was burnt to death by mob.

July 2012- the IOCL  plant in Paradip, Orissa – India experienced a work halt because of the prolonged labor unrest.

August 08, 2012- Honda’s Manesar plant in Haryana received a new wave of labor unrest.

August 10, 2012 around 3000 rock drillers at the Marikana mine of Lonmin PLC in Rustenburg, South Africa stalled working at the mines demanding for higher wages.  Around ten people were killed in the clash at the platinum mine between the rival unions the National Union of Mineworkers(NUM) and Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union(AMCU).

September 13, 2012 due to the labor agitations at the Carnations factory in Howrah, Kolkatta India,  the work was suspended.

September 25, 2012 – Apple’s iPhone assembler in China, Foxconn Technology Group experienced labor agitations. The workers protested against increased pressure and demanded to improve working conditions.

First ever strike in WalMart stores in Los Angeles area. Around 88 workers walked out of the stores demanding better working conditions and better wages.

October 2012, Employees of Kingfisher Airlines stalled their work because of the non-payment of salaries for the months March to May 2012. Employees are unwilling to join the work until their salaries are paid.

October 05,2012 Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) top container handler of India was threatened by workers to shut down. Their demand was reinstatement of four workers which include three union leaders, who were fired in May for taking industrial action.

Author : Subburam N.N

College : Amrita School of Business, Bangalore

Email id : subburamnn@gmail.com

History and importance of Human Resource Management

History and importance of Human Resource Management

Human Resource Management or the HRM is considered as the heart of any company. For any organization small or large, the employees are the biggest assets.  Some of the important principles of human resource management were found since the prehistoric times.  During 1000 B.C to 2000 B.C, the selection of tribal leaders was based on the knowledge on hunting, health and safety. Later Chinese used the employee screening techniques during 1115 B.C.

Human Resource Management has seen numerous naming from its history, based on its vital function. It was known as “Personnel Relations” then evolved to “ Industrial Relations” , “Employee Relation” and then finally to “Human Resources”.  I think this is the most apt name since it demonstrates the importance of human beings in the organization.  Earlier human resource management was followed as a social welfare approach.  They helped the immigrants to adjust to their jobs and American lifestyle. They assisted the immigrants in learning English and helped to get housing and medical care. These approaches were used to promote supervisory training to ensure an increase in productivity.

After the advent of the labour unions during 1790, the responsibilities of the employees increased tremendously and accelerated at a rapid pace during 1800s and 1900s. This made the HR department more effective. By the end of 1970, the HRM became famous all over the world and most of the large and medium scale industries have a separate department to manage their recruitment, record-keeping, training, employee relations, salaries and wages, etc.  During the 1980’s the importance of Human resources extended to increase the skilled labour, training, regulation, dismissal, etc.   The HR manager plays a vital role in recruiting and dismissing the employees.

In the current trend, the importance of HR has increased in corporate. Their responsibilities have multiplied substantially and they are accountable for converting employees into valuable asset for an organization.