The daily forecast of manpower can best be
considered an approximate estimate of the work force required under the normal
operating conditions. The factors such as learning process, weather conditions,
labour turnover, strikes, absenteeism, sickness and the overtime working policy
affect the day-to-day aggregated manpower requirement. Though it is difficult
to quantity such variables, for planning proposes the aggregated manpower in
each category may be increased by 5% or so to cater to these factors.
On the other hand, it is also possible to
decrease manpower. Though it is difficult to replace skilled workers by
machines, the overall strength of the work force can be reduced by increasing
productivity as follows:
a. Replacing unskilled labour by machines,
wherever feasible, in jobs like loading, unloading, shifting, bar-cutting, etc.
b. Using appropriate and efficient tools as
equipment.
c. Constantly improving the methods of
production.
d. Increasing productivity through improved
working condition and incentives.
e. Implementing the job-oriented financial
incentive schemes.
f. Training workers to overcome the initial
learning period.
In particular, overtime working based on
job-oriented financial incentive schemes, if properly implemented can cut down
the daily manpower requirement by a substantial amount, say 10-15%.
