How Can We Motivate Employees in the Unorganized Sector? Let's Brainstorm Together

Dear Members,

I invite you all to brainstorm the ways of motivating the employees of the unorganized sector!

Regards,

Nagaraj D B
Manager - HR

Unorganized sector?? Servants at home?? Agri laborers?? Coolies??

What can we do to motivate??

You mean these categories???

Siva

Dear Mr. Nagaraj,

This is a wonderful question that might have evolved through deep realization about the issue entailing a series of experiences.

In the unorganized sector, the workers are always a challenge as they are less educated or educated to a degree so that they possess a certificate. They are more strongly attached to their social customs, religious (dogmatic even) beliefs, and family responsibilities. They work not for satisfaction or excellence but just for money alone, so that they could purchase another piece of land back home (village) or get their daughter/sister married. They are unable to see a career beyond this. If there is a second thing that they work for, it is ego massage or self-respect or friendship. I hope you remember the late 70s and early 80s movies of Amitabh Bachchan or mid-80s movies of Mithun Chakravarti. The characters these actors would play (normally a poor chap fighting against the system and the rich for friendship, pride, mother, or revenge) aptly define the unorganized sector workers.

In the unorganized sector, workers have the following priorities:

1. Getting right wages/salaries on time

2. Maintaining the same group of workers (who, by now, have become friends) at a given site of work.

3. Not getting insulted/abused

4. Time-to-time getting some financial 'extras' reasonably (as bonus, overtime charges) or without any reason (like 'sahab khush ho gaye')

5. Personal treatment from supervisors. They appreciate if the supervisor acts friendly at times.

6. Some gifts - like a shirt on Diwali, a pack of soaps on Holi, etc.

7. A boss who is strict at work but 'understands' their feelings and is 'good at heart' otherwise.

If you feel helped in any way with this preface, let me know. We will be discussing it further as to what measures can create a win-win.

Awaiting an early response.

Regards,

Satyabrata Tripathy

Wonderful Mr. Tripathy! You have given deep thought. You mentioned the exact points I had in mind. Let us continue this brainstorming to have more ideas.

Nagaraj

Dear Mr. Nagaraj,

I would be happy to continue with this brainstorming exercise. I would also like to know what exactly you want this for. This will help me give you pinpointed suggestions.

Kindly help me with this.

Satyabrata Tripathy

Dear Nagaraj,

Your question is very vague. Which unorganised sector do you want to motivate? Different people need different types of motivation. If you can specify your needs, we can provide an answer or guide you on how to approach it.

Regards,

Prasanna Kumar
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Dear Mr. Nagraj, Siva, Satyabratha,

The points discussed here are very good. In my organization, around 50 workers are working as casual labor and need this type of encouragement. We need not go outside to the unorganized sector; instead, we can have such types of workers in our organization. Let us continue this type of brainstorming with some more ideas.

M. Srinivas
9866005600

Dear all,

The topic seems to have generated a good number of responses. It seems hot.

Let's have some tips on handling the workers in the unorganized sector:

1. Stop giving them training on 'how to work better', 'behavior', and other sophisticated areas of subject matter. Train them on something they think they can directly sell - Welding, painting, Calculations, and so on.

2. They do not like the implementation of a new system (for instance in line with TQM/ISO). So be ready with additional manpower as you cannot stop implementing a new policy just because your workers are against it. So in case of a rebellion... additional trained resources.

3. Care for their family and not for their career. They do not understand a career. They understand tangible benefits. So medical facility (directly) for family members (and not allowance as they can't understand CTC, Gross, take-home, etc.).

4. Give away some gifts from occasion to occasion. They should preferably be FMCG, Garments, etc.

5. Bring about a food facility in-house. Again, no allowance.

6. They do not accept bosses. So be an elder brother who has the 'same language and culture'.

7. Do give donations for any celebrations they want to do - Pongal, Holi Milan, Vishwakarma Puja, etc.

8. Keep them busy with work. If they remain free, they will get into gossip, thereby into conclusions and rumors, resulting in demotivation.

If you find it useful, do reply.

Satyabrata Tripathy

Dear all,

The topic seems to have generated a good number of responses. It seems hot.

Let's have some tips on handling the workers in the unorganized sector:

1. Stop giving them training on 'how to work better', 'behavior', and other sophisticated areas of subject matter. Train them on something they think they can directly sell - Welding, painting, calculations, and so on.

2. They do not like the implementation of a new system (for instance, in line with TQM/ISO). So be ready with additional manpower as you cannot stop implementing a new policy just because your workers are against it. So in case of a rebellion... additional trained resources.

3. Care for their family and not for their career. They do not understand a career. They understand tangible benefits. So medical facility (directly) for family members (and not an allowance as they can't understand CTC, gross, take-home, etc.).

4. Give away some gifts from occasion to occasion. They should preferably be FMCG, garments, etc.

5. Bring about a fooding facility in-house. Again, no allowance.

6. They do not accept bosses. So be an elder brother who has the 'same language and culture.'

7. Do give donations for any celebrations they want to do - Pongal, Holi Milan, Vishwakarma Puja, etc.

8. Keep them busy with work. If they remain free, they will get into gossip, thereby into conclusions and rumors, resulting in demotivation.

If you find it useful, do reply.

Satyabrata Tripathy

Hi, This is really a very good topic, in fact. I would like to add my views to this. These employees do not forget people who help them. They will stick to the company when we help them in need. It is not restricted only to monetary favors but other things as well.

As these people are in low-profile jobs, they want their children to pursue education. Given their situation, suggest helping them. If they are unable to pay their school fees and are finding it hard to handle their children, then recommend a government hostel. If their son/daughter has not completed higher education, suggest...

Hi,

My topic got discontinued.

If their kids are looking for jobs, try to help them in possible ways. If they have passed +2 but can't pursue further education because of financial problems, suggest they pursue distance education. Additionally, if possible, counsel them as they need guidance that they may not receive from their parents or relatives. Provide all the necessary details such as website addresses, fee information, and application deadlines. Strengthening the relationship for the long term is important, and showing concern for these individuals is a way to help make their new generations competitive with others, ultimately contributing to a stronger India.

Thanks,

Archana P
Sr. HR Executive