"Social Work Education and Social Work Practice in India", edited by Professor T. K. Nair and published by the Association of Schools of Social Work in India (ASSWI) more than three decades ago, was a landmark publication. That is the only book based on a serious review of the first four decades of social work education and practice in the country. The present book "Social Work Profession in India : An Uncertain Future", edited by Prof. Nair, is definite to be a watershed contribution for the reorientation of social work education in the country in the coming decades. Scholars and practitioners have written on different issues needing urgent consideration and intervention. The eighth decade of social work education is only months away and this book is most welcome at this time.

It is very natural and expected that any professional in any area of specialisation gets some sudden doubt or needs clarification on any issue. More particularly in the area of legal compliance or even while seeking or providing clarification to anyone, including colleagues and superiors. We continue to live in an era of the plethora of labour legislations, that too varied interpretations under judicial pronouncements. And many times, we need fast and quick inputs. And it is our experience that when we get or know the clarifying answer assertively, most problems get solved in a matter of seconds. Whenever I conduct sessions on Labour Laws, I conclude with a set of objective tests to evaluate and or to further clarify the doubts which have shown positive indications. In teaching in Management Schools, MBA, MSW, and Law, the faculty must be equipped with precise answers and even administering tests and evaluations. Now, all of us are aware of the upcoming new Four Labour Codes. Many of us, start asking ourselves, what are the answers in the Four Labour Codes and a comparative clarification? Keeping these in view, I conceived an idea and, after a thought-provoking process, to compile all possible questions and precise answers in respect of all labour legislations as also under the four Labour Codes. I am sure this would help everyone to get a comparative answer and/or clarifications simultaneously. I have been to compile around 600 questions covering 22 labour legislations, including “Management of Discipline “. The answers cover under present labour legislations as well as under Four Labour Codes. I have tried to substantiate the answers based on judicial views/judgements wherever possible. I am sure this book – FAQs & ANSWERS covering the Labour Legislations, will be a handy reckoner, a handbook to the HR Fraternity, Faculty and Students of management schools, MBA, MSW & Law. K.Vittala Rao President, KVR Management Services, Legal & Management Consultancy, Bangalore.

Contents Foreword Preface Acknowledgement PART - I THE FACTORIES ACT, 1948 1. History CHAPTER 1, PRELIMINARY 1. Short title, extent and commencement 2. Interpretation 3. References to time of day 4. Power to declare different departments to be separate factories or two or more factories to be a single factory. 5. Power to exempt during public emergency 6. Approval, licensing and registration of factories 7. Notice by occupier 7A. General duties of the occupier 7B. General duties of manufacturers, etc. as regards articles and substances for use in factories CHAPTER II, THE INSPECTING STAFF 8. Inspectors 9. Powers of Inspectors 10. Certifying surgeons CHAPTER III, HEALTH 11. Cleanliness 12. Disposal of wastes and effluents 13. Ventilation and temperature 14. Dust and fume 15. Artificial humidification 16. Over-crowding 17. Lighting 18. Drinking water 19. Latrines and urinals 20. Spittoons CHAPTER IV, SAFETY 21. Fencing of machinery 22. Work on or near machinery in motion 23. Employment of young persons on dangerous machines 24. Striking gear and devices for cutting off power 25. Self-acting machines 26. Casing of new machinery 27. Prohibition of employment of women and children near cotton- openers 28. Hoists and lifts 29. Lifting machines, chains, ropes and lifting tackles 30. Revolving machinery 31. Pressure Plant 32. Floors, stairs and means of access 33. Pits, sumps, openings in floors, etc 34. Excessive weights 35. Protection of eyes 36. Precautions against dangerous fumes, gases, etc 36A. Precautions regarding the use of portable electric light 37. Explosive or inflammable dust, gas, etc 38. Precautions in case of fire 39. Power to require specifications of defective parts or test of stability 40. Safety of buildings and machinery 40A. Maintenance of buildings 40B. Safety Officers 41. Power to make rule to supplement this chapter

The “Leaders Talk” is diversified with HR, Legal, and Mental Health Professionals. Each interview is well articulated with professional expertise and intuitions. Answers by the leaders to common questions are fascinating and offer a unique insight into the personality of leaders. Some of the questions are thought-provoking, inspiring, and motivating. These answers will be eye-openers for young readers and will help them aspire the leadership positions with passion. The interesting fact is that the questions are in the areas of personality, leadership styles, human resources, industrial relations, motivational factors, legal aspects, health aspects, and many more. This makes this book a striking masterpiece. I appreciate all the leaders for taking their time and helping the interviewers for this work. This book is distinctive as it will serve as a mentor, coach, guide, friend, and self-reflector. Readers can connect themselves with the thoughts expressed by the marvelous leaders in this book. Leadership is not just an act; It is a responsibility with accountability. Thus, shaping the leadership persona is not a day’s act or skill gained from attending a few training programs. It is a result of true penance. This book will introduce all those achievers with whom you can structure the leadership path.

Global social work: crossing borders, blurring boundaries is a collection of ideas, debates and reflections on key issues concerning social work as a global profession, such as its theory, its curricula, its practice, its professional identity; its concern with human rights and social activism, and its future directions. Apart from emphasising the complexities of working and talking about social work across borders and cultures, the volume focuses on the curricula of social work programs from as many regions as possible to showcase what is being taught in various cultural, sociopolitical and regional contexts. Exploring the similarities and differences in social work education across many countries of the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific, the book provides a reference point for moving the current social work discourse towards understanding the local and global context in its broader significance.

This book revisits community development especially questioning the meaning of the term community in the changing global and international context. The nature and dynamics of what constitutes community are changing to suit the needs of people living in a technologically advanced nature of life. Communities that were based on face-to-face interactions, sense of belonging and ‘we’ feelings are being replaced or overtaken by virtual communities. What is seen is that face-to-face human interaction is being minimized by technologically advanced ways of communicating, such as Facebook, Twitter, Skype and various other such mechanisms that have traversed physical boundaries and made human interaction possible. This new development has also been instrumental in generating new ideologies, new ways of working with people and addressing human causes. The book delivers practical advice and shares strategies that are based on the real-life experience of working with communities across the nations. It gives breadth and depth of knowledge on community development theory, practice principles, values and illustrates implications for practice based on research and practice experiences that has wider applicability. All the chapters discuss the community development approach/method as a strategy to bring about change in the society. Following a preliminary discussion by Kalpana Goel of the meanings of community and community development, all the chapters discuss the community development approach/method as a strategy to bring about change in the society.

Despite the astonishing diversity of languages, cultures, philosophies, religions, economic systems and ways that social work is taught and practised in the region, social work in the Asia-Pacific is becoming more internationally cohesive. At the same time it maintains strong foundations in its local contexts. In an increasingly globalised world, international social work belongs in every 21st-century social work curriculum. While this book does not provide all the answers, it will help educators and practitioners ask better questions.