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Principles of Modern Labour Legislation

The article explains the basic principles of Modern Labour Legislation. The article also discusses important related topics like social justice, social welfare, national economy, and international solidarity.

The principles of modern labour legislation dictate the formulation of the rights and entitlements of the working people in a civilised society.The current labour laws of India provide for a social security net to every citizen in the form of progressive benefits like health insurance, old-age pension, maternity benefits, payment of gratuity, etc.The Labour Laws of India cover both public and private employment and govern activities that provide the fundamentals for social security and an equitable balance between employers and employees. The Equal Remuneration Act of 1976 aims at abolishing inequality between men and women in all matters relating to employment.

Modern Labour Legislation

For many centuries, the labour legislation in India has constantly been evolving.The labour law is designed to protect workers’ and employers’ interests.This is ensured primarily through elaborate regulations that govern various aspects of employment relationships.The long term objectives of labour legislation in India are to create a workforce that can compete with foreign labour, to bring about economic development and growth, improve cost of living and living standards, converge people’s incomes with national income levels through various taxes (for example stamp duty), establish employment security of up to ten years, provide protection and relief to the injured workers and other categories of employees.

The central objective of labour laws is to safeguard workers’ rights, promote trade union activities and make employment more secure. They aim at improving the status of working-class people. Furthermore, they ensure fair and reasonable conditions of work for all the employees. The protection of the workers’ and employers’ interests is ensured primarily through elaborate regulations that govern various aspects of employment relationships. Labour laws in India are governed by the Constitution of India, which ensures the right to work with dignity and respect. These range from maximum hours of work per day to minimum wage levels and discrimination between men and women in the workplace.

Principles of Modern Labour Legislation:

The principles of modern labour legislation formulate the rights and entitlements of the working people in a civilised society. The current labour laws of India provide for a social security net to every citizen in the form of progressive benefits like health insurance, old-age pension, maternity benefits, payment of gratuity, etc.

Following are the principles of Modern Labour Legislation: social justice, social equality, social security, social welfare, national economy, and international solidarity.

  1. Social justice: Social justice in India means providing an opportunity to all the citizens of India to reach their full potential, realise their fundamental freedoms, and pursue their goals equally, such as education, health care, etc.

  2. Social equality: Social equality in India implies that all citizens should have equal opportunities for education and employment, for example, providing free & compulsory education to all children.

  3. Social security: Social security in India means that if any one of the citizens of India cannot provide for their basic needs by themselves, then the state shall provide for them.

  4. Social welfare: In India, the state shall provide relief to any citizen who might face a calamity or someone who has some illness or disability.

  5. National Economy: The national economy or Gross Domestic Product (GDP) means domestic production and net exports minus imports.

  6. International Solidarity: International solidarity in India is being promoted by the WTO, the UN, and other international organisations. It states that all nations should live in peace.

Classification of Labour Legislation in India

The labour laws in India have been classified into four categories:

  1. Central Legislation on Industrial Relations. (Fifth Schedule of the Constitution)

  2. Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Acts of the States and Union Territories. 

  3. State-specific legislation, such as Factories Act 1948 or Shops & Establishments Acts in different states

  4. Labour and social laws of India, such as Maternity Benefit Act, Payment of Gratuity Act, various provident fund Acts, etc.

Need of Modern Labour Legislation

The need for modern legislation is to make sure that the individuals in all professions, whether in government or private sectors, have equal rights and opportunities to earn a decent livelihood. The Labour laws are essential for them to function in society and ensure that their basic rights are protected. Together with the other core provisions of the Constitution, such as Fundamental Rights, Citizenship, Equality, and Liberty, which are protected under Articles 14 through 16. The Labour laws in India are crucially important in so many ways. 

Firstly, they are necessary for the protection of workers’ rights; secondly, to ensure that the employment-related disputes are tried by a statutory body that is recognised by the state; and thirdly, to make sure that employment relations are not based on exploitation or subjugation of one individual to another.

Conclusion:

In the subsequent future, labour legislation would be developed further to provide enough and easily accessible resources to the people of India. In the coming time, it means that an employment-related law would be made in India so that all citizens of India should exercise their right to work with dignity and respect, and have the necessary means of life.

The state has made it possible for all people to enjoy their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Principles of Modern Labour Legislation are designed to protect workers’ and employers’ interests.

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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the BPSC Examination Preparation.

Who administers the labour laws?

Ans. The state is solely responsible for administering the laws relating to labour, social security, and income tax....Read full

What are Minimum Wages?

Ans. A minimum wage is a value that must be paid to the employees by the employer. It can only be determined followi...Read full

Who determines what types of work require trade unions or not?

Ans. There is no such thing as ‘non-trade unionist jobs’ or ‘trade unionist jobs’. All work ...Read full

What are the Rights of Unions?

Ans. In principle, trade unions have the same rights as individual citizens, except that they do not have a right to...Read full

What is the concept of the principles of modern labour legislation?

Ans. Principles of modern labour legislation are designed to achieve the following objectives:...Read full