Understanding Worker Categorization Under the Factories Act
The Factories Act is an Act that provides for the health, welfare, and security of workers employed in a factory. It does not address employee skill levels, wages, or service conditions. The only Act that categorizes employees into unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled is the Minimum Wages Act, which also does not specify how to promote an employee from unskilled to semi-skilled or from semi-skilled to skilled. This means it depends on the employer to determine whether one is unskilled or skilled. It typically relies on the education/training acquired and the level of supervision needed for a worker to complete the work.
Criteria for Worker Classification
If a worker has no formal education or training in the particular work, they can be classified as unskilled. Someone with basic training but who cannot work without direct supervision would be considered semi-skilled. A worker who can work independently without supervision is considered skilled. Highly skilled workers, who can even manage operations in the absence of a supervisor, fall under the highly skilled category.
Employer's Role in Classification and Wage Decisions
If an employer keeps an employee classified as unskilled to reduce wage costs, the worker can question this decision. However, the employer's decision determines whether to upgrade the wages. The worker must demonstrate the relevant parameters to be considered for an upgrade. In a unionized environment, this process may be more straightforward, whereas in other circumstances, the employer may keep the worker as semi-skilled unless they show potential to work as a skilled employee elsewhere. In such cases, the employer may offer a promotion or change in grade to skilled worker status. This is the general process of categorization in the workforce.