Detailed Study of Labour

Labour

The word ‘labour’ means human efforts of all types – manual and non manual, skilled and unskilled. Labour refers to human input to work activity.

Features of Labour

• Labour is a human resource
• Labour is perishable
• Labour is inseparable
• Labour is geographically mobile
• Labour is occupationally mobile
• Labour differs in efficiency
• Supply of labour can be altered

Supply of Labour

Supply of labour refers to the number of hours worked by a worker. It depends on;

• the total population
• the working age group
• the working population
• the wage rate

Efficiency of Labour

Efficiency of labour refers to the capacity of workers to work per unit of time. Efficiency of labour depends on;

• education and training
• working condition
• the quality of management
• availability and quality of capital equipment
• the level of motivation

Mobility of Labour

Mobility of labour refers to the movement of workers between firms, industries and regions in response to pay differentials and employment opportunities. There are two types of mobility of labour. They are;

1. Occupational Mobility of Labour
2. Geographical Mobility of Labour

Occupational Mobility of Labour

Occupational Mobility of Labour refers to the movement of workers from one occupation to another occupation. It depends upon;

·         the facilities for training and retraining

·         wage differentials

·         job security future prospects

·         fringe benefits etc

Barriers to Occupational Mobility of Labour

• Lack of natural abilities
• Lack of qualification
• Cost and length of training
• Discrimination
• Ignorance of available job opportunities

Ways to increase Occupational Mobility of Labour

• By providing training and retraining
• By organizing job centers 

Geographical Mobility of Labour

Geographical Mobility of Labour refers to the movement of workers from one place to another place. It depends upon;

• cost of housing
• cost of relocation
• availability of social amenities
• family ties etc

Barriers to Geographical Mobility of Labour

• Climate condition
• Lack of employment opportunities
• Lack of economic development
• Lack of technological development
• Slow urbanization
• Scarcity of basic facilities

Ways to Increase Geographical Mobility of Labour

• By providing more employment opportunities
• By starting new industries and expanding existing industries
• Through technological development
• By speeding up urbanization
• By providing basic facilities and social amenities