Tips for labour management ?

[qaisazhar]

Assalam-o-alikum,

Its great to read comments and opinions from the very experienced people on this portal. This is what i have in mind:

Managing labour is one of the toughest challenges in the world in my opinion for which i'd like you all to share insights in order to make this task efficient based on reliability.

Our labor loves to present the clients/contractor with unique excuses in order to take a hold on them. They commit as if they'll sacrifice their lives for us working, but they never show up the next day or take the opportunity for granted.

This mindset is dangerous for not just the clients but for themselves in professional decorum and economics of the country.

What possible steps should be taken to avoid such hurdles during an execution of the project?

Would appreciate your invested time.

[overcsconstruction (Team Overcs)]

Dear Qais

This is very common practice which we experience on daily basis in this field. We have to remember that our country as no proper labour laws (Even if we do have in books, nowhere we see them implemented). Secondly we have no proper technical and vocational training of our labour class which in developed or developing countries, we see those people give equal importance to this sector just like normal education.

There might be no way of completely eliminating this practice (keeping in mind that there are many good people too from whom you might not experience this behaviour), but to keep yourself on safer side, deal with such people very cleverly, do not open or blind trust them. While handing over the work, try to go through their previous jobs, meet with their previous clients to get an idea about their reputation, check whether they have a proper office/shop/workshop or not. Get rates from atleast two other same job persons to for the respective job so that you can have an idea about the budget required to do that job. Bargain to a respectable extent, the more you bargain, the more chance of inferior quality work (these people will never let go the work away from them, they will agree to minimum budget too because they know what quality work can be done in what rate), once finalized, do not pay lumpsum amount full and final at start, break the payment method in installments and make sure you always have the upper hand. Decide time frame strictly for particular job and add penalty clause in case work is not done in time. Most important is whatever you decide, convert it into a written agreement.

[qaisazhar]

Thanks for sharing thoughts.

I run through all the steps as you mentioned above, and additionally, I demand guarantee cheque too in case someone tries to be smart. The reliable ones give it without a question which makes the process a bit easier to strain these people.

The challenge exists even after checking these points since most of them do not understand the long term benefit which is why they are vulnerable and can quit whenever they want despite of the fact we have upper hand. Although be friendly and polite towards their behavior, they easy with he given task when fell in comfort zone with the relationship.

So much of a psychology is behind this pattern of behavior that affects them which actually is the cultural reason too. After listening to many people, I experienced myself the professionalism in Karachi's seller and labour because of the historical background of the region.

Only if law and order is applied correctly in our country, so many other question may be answered too, but that will take a century and a period of evolution towards literate nation.

Till then, its the daily challenge we will face, whatsoever.

[aftabkhattak]

I will recommend to deal with one labor as their leader and assign the task/work. The work should be task defined and not time one (for example tell him to complete this wall and not to say that work for 3 days). So in this way, you will be clear that how much u will be paying. Some experienced people told me that if u dont like the work, destroy it in first place. You will loose some of ur cement etc, but this will give the lesson to the labor that u r not compromising on the quality and he will be careful next time. Ask for the rates and talk in term of rates. For example Tesi Karande (which is from 220-290). Always take a previous reference. Keep one of ur reliable (normally your village person) person to keep an eye as a caretaker.

[qaisazhar]

This is some valuable information you've shared with me Aftab. Will make sure to make it my studio's policy in order to be strict with the labor.

Thanks very much !

[qaisazhar]

@Team Overcs

Thank you for your time in answering in detail

.

Apart from a signed written agreement, I have gone to the extent of demanding their legal documents of owned property and guarantee cheque in case they try to be smart. The ones who are loyal to their work come on board with me on the project, the others runaway, this step allows me to strain the good and bad from the labor class.

One thing I've noticed in my experience is that labor should always be hired from the main city because they are much professional and reliable with authentic shop location than the ones hired from the suburban area because they either switch work or look for another project to work on without telling the previous client.

Although labor laws should be implemented but we all know our government won't give its attention to this area of business for civilians. We'll have to do some itching on our own.

Good insight from you too, it's great to have people sharing knowledge on this platform.