What is labour and what are the types of Labour ?

Introduction of labour

 The aggregate of all human physical and mental efforts used in production of goods and services is called labour. It is a primary factor of production. But, according to the economist, the physical or mental effort by which a worker gets wage is called labour.

"All the activities done for earning money in order to survive are included in labour."- A.H. Smith

"The physical or mental effort made with the objective of getting any good is called labour." -Marshall

As the labour is concerned with workers, it has been defined in the labour Act 2048 as "Worker means a person employed on the basis of remuneration to work in any building, premises, machinery or any part there of used for any productions process or providing service, or any act relating to such work or for any unscheduled works and this expression also includes any worker working at piece-rate, contract or agreement."

Types of labour

Labour has been divided into three types. They are as follows:

a. Productive and unproductive labour: The legal and socially accepted works done for producing positive result in the society are called productive labour whereas, the illegal and anti-social activities like smuggling, theft, human trafficking, gambling, etc. are called unprodcutive labour.

b. Skilled and unskilled labour: The work which needs special education, knowledge, efficiency, trainings to get done is called skilled labour. The work which does not need specific education and training to get done is called unskilled labour.

c. Physical and mental labour: The work which needs physical strength and movement of body parts such as labourers, farmers, etc. is called physical labour whereas, the work which needs mental efforts, creativity, logic, etc. rather than physical labour is called mental labour.

Importance of labour

• Labour plays an important role in the economic growth of the country as it increases the economic activities in the country.
• Without labour, the production of goods and services is impossible.
• Labour mobilizes the capital and resources for the production of goods and services. 
• With the maximum utilization of labour, necessary goods and services can be produced.
• Foreign currency also can be earned by the proper utilization of labour in the production.
• Labour utilizes the wasted resources and inactive manpower.

Dignity/Respect of Labour

Respect of labour means to respect one's occupation. No occupation is superior or inferior. All the works require labour and all labours are equal. Whatever the type, quality or quantity of labour we get involve in, we should have faith in what we do. There should not be any kind of discrimination on the basis of work in which one engages to fulfill his/her needs.

Nepal is a country rich in natural resources and means but in the absence of skilled manpower and capital they are not being utilized. The problem of unemployment is increasing day by day. Many people are wandering in search of job. They hesitate to get involved in those occupations which they believe are inferior. They rather prefer staying unemployed and getting engaged in unproductive activities. They are willing to take inferior jobs in foreign countries but hesitate to do so in their own countries. This is the feudal mentality. Such a culture has led Nepal to remain backward in the development. We should love our job and respect other's too.

Everyday, more than 1,500 Nepalese youths are leaving Nepal for foreign employment. It is better to work in the motherland rather than paying large amount of money to the brokers and going abroad for dirty, dangerous, and difficult work. If we could prevent such flow of manpower and utilize in the country by providing them skills and practical education, the economic condition of the country could be improved.