The Kerala Handloom Workers' Welfare Fund Board is a statutory entity created under the Kerala Handloom Workers' Welfare Fund Act of 1989. The head office of the board is situated near the Talikavu temple at Kannur (Cannanore).
The Handloom Workers' Welfare Fund is one among the 20 odd Welfare Fund Boards - a group of statutory bodies whose function is to provide social security benefits to employees in specified sectors. A Typical Welfare Fund Board administers a welfare fund, consisting of contributions from employers and employees from the specified sector, and a grant from the Government, typically equal to contributions from employees.
The Handloom Workers' Welfare Fund board has four offices:
- Kannur Office, having jurisdiction over Kasaragod, Kannur, and Wayanad Districts
- Kozhikode Office, having jurisdiction over Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palghat Districts
- Ernakulam Office, having jurisdiction over Trichur, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Idukki and Alappuzha districts
- Thiruvananthapuram office, having jurisdiction over Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanimthitta districts
The board provides social security benefits to handloom workers who are members of the scheme. There are separate categories of memberships for employees of factories / establishments and self-employeed workers. Membership entails payment of - three Indian Rupees per month, while their employer (if employed) contributes six Rupees per month. Self-employed persons contribute a sum of Rs. 5.00 per month. The State government contributes a sum equal to employees' share of the contribution collected by the board in a year. Such funds, along with the Cess levied from textile dealers, constitutes the common fund of the board, which is utilised to provide various benefits to the workers.
The important benefits currently given are:
- Education assistance to children of members, for education in High and Secondary (Plus two) Schools, Graduation and Post graduation in recognised institutions.
- Marriage benefits to children of members and female members.
- Maternity benefits to female members.
- Ex-gratia benefits to workers who are unable to continue employment on health grounds.
- Death benefit to close relatives or dependants (usually spouse and children) of a deceased member of the fund.
- Pension to workers who have been members for at least 3 years and discontinue employment on attainment of 60 years age. From 2008, the pension age has been lowered to 58 years.
The fund is governed by the board of directors which is appointed by the Government of Kerala. The staff of the board constitute both direct employees of the board and employees on deputation from the State Government.
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