Employer : Employee Contribution Towards Safety Shoe And Uniform

Dear Members,
Issue of Safety Shoe and uniform to employees on contributory basis (70 : 30 Employer : Employee).
I understand that some manufacturing Units are deducting certain token amount towards Safety Shoe and Uniform cost from the employees to feel that they have purchased it.
Whether it is lawful. Please examine the issue.
Regards,

Dear,
Providing the Safety Shoes & Uniform is the requirement of business as well as in terms the Health & safety of the employees, company is bound to provide the same as the nature of work.
It is mandatory to provide the same to the employees & recovering the cost from employes is not correct, ethical, & lawfull.
Regards,
Tushar Swar

As said by Tushar the employer must procure the Safety shoes, Uniform, Safety Helmet and other PPEs to all workers including contractor workers. But you can recover the amount if the worker leave the work without fulfilling the terms and conditions and before the specific period.

HAI MEMBERS,
PROVIDING THE PPEs TO EMPLOYEES ARE MANDATORY. ON MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING EMPLOYEES WILL BE PROVIDED STITCHING CHARGES WHEN CLOTH SUPPLIED FOR THEM.
REPAIR OF SAFETY SHOES ALSO BE UNDERTAKING AT WORK SPOT AS WELFARE MEASURE.

Dear,
Issue of Safety Shoe and uniform to employees is in conformity with the safety requirements of the job/ organisation whether prescribed by Factories Act/Rules or otherwise and have not been issued by the employer as per the wishes of the employee. Such being the case the question of recovery of an amount , whatever be the ratio, is not permissible either by the statute or otherwise.
S.K.Johri

I appreciate the correct answers given by the members.
It is surprising and shocking to note that there are companies who stoop so low so as to even recover a part of the PPE's issued to employees.
Such bad practices should be condemned and brought to the notice of authorities.
What happens if an employee is not able to or does not want to contribute or "purchase" ?? Does the company refuse to issue him these safety appliances, putting him to risk ???
Warm regards.

Personal Protective Equipments are the second line of defense for employee’s protection. The first line of defense is to eliminate accident-causing situations at the work place.
In the Factories Act, 1948, there are specific provisions for providing the
personal protective equipment for workers who are exposed to unsafe and unhealthy environment. It is also the intention of the law that theses personal protective equipments shall be of such type and made of such materials that they withstand to such specific hazards for which they are actually being used. You are requested to refer to the rules framed in your state under the Factories Act, 1948 for more details in this regard. This being the legal position recovering the cost of PPEs is not legal.
….Satori S.

Hello,

Your question is valid and yes does invite a strew of thoughts.

However, may I give a perspective where - eg- When a person works in a company, they expect the company building to be strong, foundation stable, in days of summer to have adequate ventilation and sufficient light in the cubicle, offices. And just because a company provides these doesn't mean they should charge an employee for it.

Similarly, protective gear is required to save, protect lives of people who are working for the company. This is a basic right, requirement need for a person working. Generally companies give safety gear and a change approx. every three months. This is a standard and basic requirement which should be provided to employees at no cost. Legally one shouldn't recover.

But yes, if a company doesn't have a good policy - they will end up with workers coming to you every moth with reasons on how they lost their equipment, damaged, misplaced it, etc and you need to end up giving them extras. Its a balance of providing basic facilities+ Protection but ensuring that its not taken for granted.

If this is the reason for charging them money - the perspective is understandable; but instead of making them pay - perhaps companies can instil a policy wherein they keep a limit to no of overalls a person will be given at no cost, or conditions under which they can claim x number of overalls a months; but in case of wilful damage, etc they may need to bear a small portion of the cost.

Thanks for putting up the query for examination.

Regards,

Deena Jagasia

hello,
Following is a very good practice following in my organization. We give uniform and footwear to all employees.
What we provide:
-3 shirts
-2 trousers
-shoes
-sweater
How we process:
-3000 deducted from first month salary
-reimbursed after 6 months...
Why: because now a days attrition is very high. It will control the same.
Hope is helps
Kanika

Dear Kanika
Has it helped your company in "controlling" Attrition ???
On the contrary, it might have helped the company to generate some income to be tabled under the head "Other Incomes" in the Income statement.
Warm regards.