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Whatever happened to work-time? An enquiry into the manufacturing of industriousness in the Indian mines, 1895–1970

Dhiraj Kumar Nite

Published 2025 in South Asian History and Culture

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT This article elucidates the reconstitution of the work-time regime, from mineworkers performing the overlong workday, porous hours, and flexible schedules during the mid-1890s–1930s to that of the shortened workday, lengthened work years, and intensive work by the 1950s–60s. The regulation of work-time and free time by employers and the state, and workers’ adaptation to the work-time regime, together manufactured mineworkers’ industriousness. It occurred when mineworkers effectively conducted a short-hours campaign to secure a shortened workday and some paid and casual leaves in the long run. Overall annual work hours became somewhat higher, primarily as a consequence of the creation of a stable and regular workforce, and monetary inducement through production and attendance bonuses. In return, these workers claimed the right to profit sharing through certain provisions of paid leaves and bonuses, too, in order to meet consumption necessities and maintain job security. Additionally, they expressed opposition to the way new authoritarian forms of surveillance and power were established over the labour process and the transaction of time.

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