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Indian Polity: Directive Principles – Krishna Pradeep
Labour welfare
Question What are the labour welfare provisions in the directive principles of state
policy? What is the need for codification of labour laws?
Why this question Four labour codes rationalised the labour laws
Introduction Directive Principles for labour welfare
Main body 1. Constitutional provisions
2. Labour codes
3. Need for labour codes
Conclusion Labour should be protected from exploitation
Full answer
Introduction Labour is a concurrent subject. Labour welfare provisions are provided in the
part 4 i.e. directive principles of state policy.
Main body
Provisions of the 1. Equal pay for equal work (39-d)
labour welfare in the 2. Preservation of the health and strength of workers (39-e)
directive principles 3. Secure the right to work, unemployment compensation, old age pension,
sickness and disablement pension (Article 41).
4. To make provision for just and humane conditions for work and maternity
relief (Article 42).
5. To secure a living wage, a decent standard of life and social and cultural
opportunities for all workers (Article 43)
6. Secure the participation of workers in the management of industries (Article
43 A).
Codification of labour Around 29 of the 40 Central Labour Laws were amalgamated, rationalised, and
laws simplified into four Labour Codes –
1. The Code on Wages, 2019
2. The Industrial Relations Code, 2020
3. The Code on Social Security, 2020
4. The Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions Code, 2020
Code on Wages 2019 1. Payment of wages act 1936
Integrates 4 labour 2. Minimum Wage act 1948
laws 3. Payment of Bonus act 1965
4. Equal Remuneration act 1976
The Industrial 1. Trade Unions Act, 1926
Relations Code, 2020 2. Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946
It amalgamated 3 3. Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
labour laws
The Code on Social 1.The Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923,
Security, 2020 2.The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948
It amalgamated 9 3.The Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952
labour laws 4.The Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act,
1959
5. The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961
6. The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
7. The Cine Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1981,
8. The Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996
9. The Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act 2008.
The Occupational 1. The Factories Act, 1948
Safety, Health & 2. The Plantations Labour Act, 1951
Working Conditions 3. The Mines Act, 1952
Code, 2020 4. The Working Journalists and other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of
It amalgamated 13 Service and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1955
labour laws 5. The Working Journalists (Fixation of Rates of Wages) Act, 1958
6. The Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961,
7. The Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966
8. The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970
9. The Sales Promotion Employees (Condition of Service) Act, 1976
10. The Inter-State Migrant workmen (Regulation of Employment and
Conditions of Service) Act, 1979
11. The Cine Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers Act, 1981
12. The Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1986
13. The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of
Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996.
Some of the important 1. A statutory right for minimum wages
provisions of the 2. Supporting the workers for their sustainable growth and inclusive
labour codes are as development.
follows: 3. Making the labour laws simple, coherent and easy to enforce.
4. Provision for annual health check-up and medical facilities to enhance
labour productivity and increases life expectancy.
5. Every employee should be issued with an appointment letter to
formalize contract of employment for job security and to enables a
worker to claim minimum wages, social security etc .
6. Provision of Re-skilling Fund for skill development of workers.
7. The laws are applicable to unorganised workers, gig workers and
platform workers and the members of their families through ESIC or
Employees’ Provident Fund Organization.
The purpose of labour a. Improving life and dignity of labour force
reforms: b. Protecting and safeguarding the interest of workers
c. Providing social security both in organised and unorganised sectors.
d. To be in tune with the changing labour market trends
e. To fall in line with the requirements of 4th Industrial revolution
Conclusion Labour welfare reforms are necessary to align with the present economic
scenario and technological advancements along with reduction in multiplicity of
laws.
