In Kerala, a number of welfare funds exists for different categories of workers. To legally administer these funds, it has also created Welfare Fund Boards. Though the formation of these welfare funds has resulted in increasing the social security of the workers, there are many other sectors which require immediate attention.

The Kerala Law Reforms Committee has submitted its first report proposing a Kerala Labour Authority in the state to serve as an apex body to co-ordinate, regulate, streamline, monitor and control the activities of the labour welfare schemes of the welfare boards and the government. The state government is seriously looking into the proposed Bill---The Kerala Labour Authority Bill, 2002.

On November 26, 2001, the state government constituted a Law Reforms Committee with a view to identify and review laws which are no longer needed or are irrelevant and which are liable to be repealed. Like the Law Commissions in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the Kerala Law Reforms Committee will also examine the existing laws in the light of the generally accepted objectives of state policy like social and economic justice to the weaker sections of the society and suggest laws as might be necessary to implement these policies.

The Committee has come up with the Kerala Labour Authority Bill after thorough consultations with the state government`s labour department. The proposed Kerala Labour Authority will advise the government on matters relating to labour administration and labour welfare. It will also administer the existing non-statutory welfare funds and schemes transferred by the government to the Labour Authority; recommend to the government on the reorganisation of welfare funds and schemes in the interests of their members; prepare project reports for getting financial assistance from international organisations, overnment of India and other agencies; set up a training fund for training of workers and utilise the financial assistance received from various agencies for the common welfare of workers.