Overview
The Labour Bureau is an attached office under the . It functions as the primary agency for collecting, compiling, and disseminating labour statistics in India.
Headquarters: Chandigarh
Regional Offices: Shimla and other field offices across India
It was established in 1946 to provide reliable labour market data for policy formulation.
Objectives
- To generate credible labour market statistics
- To monitor working and living conditions of workers
- To support evidence-based policymaking in employment and wage policy
- To track price movements affecting workers
Key Functions
Labour Statistics
- Conducts surveys on employment and unemployment
- Collects data on wages and earnings
- Compiles industrial relations statistics
Price Indices
- Publishes Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW)
- Publishes Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL)
- Publishes Consumer Price Index for Rural Labourers (CPI-RL)
These indices are used for:
- Dearness Allowance calculation
- Wage revision
- Policy decisions
Annual and Periodic Surveys
- Annual Survey of Industries-related labour data
- Wage rate surveys
- Working and living conditions surveys
Research and Reports
- Industrial dispute statistics
- Labour market trends analysis
- Reports on social security coverage
Importance
Policy Formulation
- Provides inputs for minimum wage fixation
- Supports inflation-indexed wage adjustments
Social Security Planning
- Helps in assessing welfare schemes
- Supports labour law implementation
Economic Planning
- Tracks labour force participation
- Assists in employment generation strategies
Recent Developments
- Integration with digital data platforms
- Efforts to improve real-time labour market monitoring
- Coordination with national statistical agencies
Significance in Governance
The Labour Bureau plays a crucial role in:
- Industrial relations management
- Monitoring informal sector trends
- Supporting labour reforms
- Ensuring data-driven decision-making
Conclusion
The Labour Bureau is a key statistical institution under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. By generating labour market data and price indices, it supports wage policy, social security design, and broader economic planning in India.
