Vidhi Codex

The Kerala Small Plantation Workers' Welfare Fund Act 2008

The Kerala Small Plantation Workers' Welfare Fund Act 2008

General200830 sections

This Act establishes a social security fund for workers on small plantations in Kerala, India, measuring under five hectares. It applies to laborers cultivating crops like rubber, tea, and coffee, alongside self-employed smallholders. The legislation matters because it provides vital financial security, including pensions, maternity benefits, disability assistance, and educational support. Funded through joint contributions from workers, employers, and the Kerala state government, the program is administered by a dedicated welfare board. By codifying these benefits and enforcing compliance through penalties, the Act safeguards the livelihood and well-being of these traditionally vulnerable agricultural laborers who lack other formal employment protections.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 0. Preamble
  2. 1. Short title, extent and commencement.
  3. 2. Definitions.
  4. 3. Small Plantation Workers' Welfare Fund Scheme.
  5. 4. Saving of certain rights and privileges.
  6. 5. Contribution to the Fund.
  7. 6. Constitution of the Board.
  8. 7. Term of office of the Directors.
  9. 8. Removal of non-official Directors.
  10. 9. Appointment of officers and staff.
  11. 10. Power of the Board to borrow.
  12. 11. Determination of the amount due.
  13. 12. Provisional assessment and collection of contribution.
  14. 13. Mode of recovery of money due from the employer.
  15. 14. Priority of payment of contribution over other debts.
  16. 15. Employer not to reduce wages etc.
  17. 16. Directors of Board etc. to be public servants.—Each Director of the
  18. 17. Penalty.
  19. 18. Offences by companies.
  20. 19. Power to recover damages.
  21. 20. Protection of action taken in good faith.
  22. 21. Directions of the Government.
  23. 22. Power to order inquiry.
  24. 23. Power to supersede the Board.
  25. 24. Audit of accounts of the Board.
  26. 25. Annual report and audited statement of accounts.
  27. 26. Bar of jurisdiction of Civil Court.
  28. 27. Special provisions for transfer of accumulation from welfare funds established by any other law or agreement
  29. 28. Power to remove difficulties.
  30. 29. Power to make rules.

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