Rule 57 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rule 57 sets out when a welfare officer must be appointed in a factory, mine or plantation, who qualifies, what status and protection the officer has, and what the officer does.
The employer of every factory, mine and plantation ordinarily employing 250 to 500 workers must appoint at least one welfare officer, with one more for every additional 500 workers or fraction over 500. The officer needs a postgraduate degree or diploma in social work, human resources management or labour welfare and knowledge of the language spoken by most workers. The appointment must be intimated to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator. A welfare officer is on an executive or officer pay scale, has a right of appeal to the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator on discharge or dismissal, and must not handle disciplinary cases or appear for management against workers.
The Code source
Section 24(2)(iv) of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (the OSH Code) lets the Central Government prescribe the appointment of a welfare officer in every factory, mine or plantation where two hundred and fifty or more workers are ordinarily employed, and the qualification, conditions of service and duties of the officer. Rule 57 is that prescription. See our section 24 explainer.
Central Rules apply where the Central Government is the appropriate Government. Where the State Government is the appropriate Government, the State's own OSH rules apply. For help with appointments and intimations, see our labour law compliance service.
How many welfare officers
Rule 57(i) applies to the employer of every factory, mine and plantation.
| Workers ordinarily employed | Welfare officers |
|---|---|
| Between 250 and up to 500 | At least one |
| More than 500 | An additional welfare officer for every additional 500 workers or fraction thereof over 500 |
For example, a unit with 700 workers has one officer for the first 500 and an additional officer for the 200 over 500, which counts as a fraction, so two in total. The text does not spell out the arithmetic for larger headcounts, so confirm the count with the "fraction thereof" wording in front of you. The text is also silent on establishments with fewer than 250 workers.
Women welfare officers
Where both male and female workers are employed, the number of women welfare officers is in proportion to the women workers employed. Where the number of women is more than one hundred and the total does not exceed one thousand, an additional woman welfare officer is appointed. The text does not give a fixed ratio for "in proportion", so the employer should document how it set the number.
Chief Welfare Officer
Where more than one welfare officer is appointed, one is designated Chief Welfare Officer and the others welfare officers.
Qualifications and intimation
- Qualification (sub-rule (ii)): a postgraduate degree or diploma in social work, human resources management or labour welfare from an institution recognised by the Central or State Government, and knowledge of the language spoken by the majority of the workers in the establishment.
- Intimation (sub-rule (iii)): the employer intimates the appointment electronically or otherwise to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator, giving the officer's qualifications and conditions of service.
The text gives no time limit for the intimation. Do it promptly and keep proof.
Status and protection: sub-rule (iv)
| Point | Rule |
|---|---|
| Status | Welfare officer is given appropriate status corresponding to other executives and appointed on an executive or officer pay scale |
| Conditions of service | The same as other executives or officers of corresponding status |
| Discharge or dismissal | The welfare officer has a right of appeal to the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator, whose decision is final and binding on the employer |
Duties: sub-rule (v)
The welfare officer is to:
- (a) establish contacts and hold consultations to maintain harmonious relations between management and workers;
- (b) bring workers' grievances to management for expeditious redressal and act as liaison;
- (c) study workers' point of view to help management shape labour policies and interpret them to workers in a language they understand;
- (d) advise on compliances, statutory or otherwise, on working hours, maternity benefit, medical care, compensation for injuries and sickness, other welfare measures and social security benefits;
- (e) advise on welfare facilities such as housing, foodstuffs, social and recreational facilities, sanitation, individual personnel problems and education of children; and
- (f) advise on training of new recruits, apprentices, transferred and promoted workers, instructors and supervisors, on supervision and control of notice boards and information bulletins to further workers' education, and on encouraging attendance at technical institutes.
What the welfare officer must not do
Sub-rule (vi): welfare officers shall not deal with disciplinary cases or appear on behalf of management against workers or appear before a conciliation officer or tribunal on behalf of management. This keeps the role separate from HR discipline and industrial relations litigation. A company that wants one person to run both must reconsider, as the text does not allow the welfare officer to handle disciplinary matters.
Consequences
Rule 57 states no penalty of its own. Contravention is dealt with under the Code's penalty provisions; see our section 94 explainer. For the older factory framework, see our guide to welfare provisions under the Factories Act.
Practical examples
Example 1. A plantation company employs 320 workers. It appoints one welfare officer with a postgraduate diploma in labour welfare who speaks the workers' main language, and intimates the Inspector-cum-Facilitator with qualifications and service terms.
Example 2. A factory with 700 workers, including 150 women, appoints two welfare officers by the headcount rule, designates one as Chief Welfare Officer and, because women exceed 100 (and total women do not exceed 1,000), also checks whether an additional woman welfare officer is required.
Example 3. A company dismisses its welfare officer without notice. The officer appeals to the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator under sub-rule (iv); the decision is final and binding.
Need help appointing a welfare officer?
Headcount tests, qualification checks, the intimation to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator and the role boundaries all need to line up. Our labour law compliance team can help you decide how many officers each site needs and prepare the appointment file.
Key takeaways
- Rule 57 applies to factories, mines and plantations.
- One welfare officer is required for 250 to 500 workers, with additional officers above 500.
- Women welfare officers are appointed in proportion to women workers; an additional one where women exceed 100 and the total does not exceed 1,000.
- The officer needs a postgraduate degree or diploma in social work, human resources management or labour welfare and the workers' majority language.
- The appointment is intimated to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator.
- The officer has executive status, a right of appeal on discharge or dismissal and must stay out of disciplinary matters.
- State rules apply where the State is the appropriate Government.
Read next
- Rule 56: shelter and rest room
- Rule 58: crèche facility
- Section 24: welfare facilities in the establishment
- Welfare provisions under the Factories Act
Disclaimer: Based on the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 345(E), 8 May 2026), as on 30 September 2026. The Code is in force from 21 November 2025; some provisions may be notified later, and State Governments make their own rules for establishments where the State is the appropriate Government. Verify the current position before acting.