THE EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION OF SOUTHERN INDIA
The Employers’ Federation of Southern India (now popularly known as EFSI) was founded in the year 1920. Historically it was coeval with the emergence of the Trade Union movement in India with the first Trade Union in India being formed in Madras in 1918 and with the establishment of International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva in 1919. Though founded in Madras by the local industrialists, the Federation in due course acquired the support of employers and also leading Industrial Associations and other Employers’ Organisations in all other States in the Southern Region.
The Federation has on its rolls over 730 company members with factories/establishments and 15 major industrial associations. EFSI, therefore, is in an unique position unlike other trade/industrial associations, to represent employers in all types of industries such as cement, engineering, fertilizer, plantation, sugar, textiles, leather, etc., accounting for a total employment of roughly over a million in the Southern Region.
Since its inception in 1920, the Federation has a continuous record of service in the cause of employers in the Southern Region. The strength of its success and sustained activities lies in its resilience and adaptability to successive changes in the political, economic and social environments in the country from time to time, and at the same time maintaining its primary goal and objective of projecting and promoting employers’ interests consistent with the times.
ORGANISATION
True to its name the Federation operates through federal structure in which each of the States have their own Committees and secretariat to deal with the affairs in the respective States and the representatives nominated by these State Committees along with the representatives of leading industrial associations and other experts constitute the Executive Committee of the Federation. The offices of the President and Vice-President of the Federation at the regional level go by rotation to different States and the different industrial associations to ensure their participation and contribution and to signify their role in the Federation. At the regional level the Secretariat functions from Chennai coordinating the activities of the State Committees and liaising with Central and State Governments and apex bodies.
The Federation deals with wide-ranging subjects which include labour policy and labour legislation at the Central and State level, personnel matters, human resources development, training and social issues of relevance and importance to the Community of employers of all sectors. The Federation also renders advice to individual companies in respect of their problems.
REPRESENTATION
The Federation is represented on several official policy making bodies and other bodies/ committees concerning labour policy and legislation and industrial relations, constituted by the Central and State Governments, and also on bodies constituted by the other agencies.
Some of the important Government Committees in which the Federation is represented are:
1. Central Apprenticeship Council
2. Central Advisory Board – Minimum Wages Act
3. State Labour Advisory Boards
4. Regional Boards of ESI/EPF
5. State Contract Labour Advisory Boards
Representation on the above bodies affords Members an opportunity to have important issues referred to the appropriate forum through the Federation for consideration.
COORDINATION
The Federation serves as the coordinator for employers’ organisations and industrial associations dealing with labour matters and serves as the secretariat for mutual consultation and coordination of approach on common issues. Over the years, the Federation has come to be accepted as the focal point in this regard and recognised as the common and expert forum of employers.
The Federation maintains excellent rapport with all major trade unions and interacts with them in issues of common importance.
FEDERATION AND GOVERNMENT
The Federation has developed over the years excellent rapport with the State and Central Governments. On all important issues they invite the views and suggestions of the Federation and over the years the Federation has been acknowledged as the Chief spokesman for the employers.
INFORMATION
The Federation keeps Members informed of current enactments, rules, notifications and other developments in the field of industrial relations in the country from time to time through a regular flow of circulars. Information on collective agreements, terms and conditions of services in different firms etc. are also made available to Members on request. The Federation circulates the Consumer Price Index Numbers for 78 centres to Members. The Federation also circulates important judgements of the Supreme Court and High Court on Labour matters.
SECRETARIAT
Administratively, the Federation’s office at Chennai is headed by a Secretary and specialised in the field of its activities with a team of dedicated staff.
With leading counsels on its Executive Committee the Federation can arrange for representation in labour courts and tribunals.
SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS
Apart from the Annual General Meeting each year which is addressed by Ministers and Senior Representatives of the Central and State Governments, and other leading personalities from industry and academia, the Federation organises periodic high-level seminars/ workshops on matters of topical importance to Members which are highly rated.
On the occasion of its Golden Jubilee in 1970 the Federation instituted an endowment in Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai for an annual lecture on a subject in the field of Human Relations, by eminent personalities.
AFFILIATION
1. Hosur Industries Association
2. Indian Leather Products Association
3. St. John Safety & Health Society
4. South India Shoe Manufacturers Association
5. The All India Skin & Hide Tanners & Merchants Association
6. The Indian Finished Leather Mfrs’ and Exporters’ Association
7. The Madras Printers & Lithographers Association
8. The Southern India Mills’ Association
9. The South Indian Sugar Mills’ Association
10. The South India Tanners & Dealers Association
11. The Tamilnadu Spinning Mills Association
12. The Tamilnadu State Beedi Manufacturers Association
13. The Tirupur Exporters Association
14. The United Planters’ Association of Southern India
15. The West Coast Employers’ Federation
The Federation itself is affiliated to Employer’s Federation of India (EFI), Mumbai and All India Organisation of Employers (AIOE), New Delhi and is represented on their Committees.
The Federation directly and through apex bodies maintains close contacts with the ILO and its agencies and other organisations in other countries.
THE FUTURE
The economic reforms and the process of restructuring and liberalisation have ushered an era calling for radical changes in thought and actions of all sections of society to face the challenges of market economy and national and international competition, consumer demands and social issues like environment/pollution etc. Employers have a great stake in the process and vital role to play and these have to be effectively coordinated and channelised by organisations like the Federation. It, therefore, has to be more representative and strong and supported by the entire community of employers and assisted by their expert inputs, knowledge and expertise.
Membership of the Federation is therefore a common commitment and best suited for self advancement and promotion of interests of all.
For further information and Membership details you are welcome to write to:
The Secretary General
The Employers’ Federation of Southern India
2-D, Eldorado Building (Second Floor)
No.112, Nungambakkam High Road,
Chennai 600 034
Phone: 044-2827 0801
E-mail: efsi@vsnl.net Web: www.efsi.org.in
The Hony. Secretary
The Employers’ Federation of Southern India
(AP & TS Branch)
312, Topaz Complex III floor, Amrutha Hills,
Punjagutta, Hyderabad – 560 082
Ph.: 040-23411208 Email: efsiaphyd@gmail.com
The Hony. Secretary
The Employers’ Federation of Southern India (Karnataka Branch)
No.64, Vastra Bhavan, 4th Floor,
4th Main Road, Malleswaram,
Bangalore-560 055
Phone: 080-23348530
Email: efsikarnataka@valliappa.com