LABOUR LEGISLATION: A CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This paper aims to highlight the Constitutional and legal rights guaranteed for the protection of the labour in India. Indian Constitution through its various provisions mentioned under Part –III and Part –IV provides for the welfare of labour which includes the right to education, child and women labour,  conditions of work, workmen’s compensation, securing the health of the employees, providing just and humane conditions of work and maternity benefits.  To attain the objective, the state is duty bound to make laws in regard to the above mentioned conditions of the labour in India. Labour is a subject of a concurrent list which means the centre and the state both have the power to make laws on it. Labour class is not a slave class rather they deserve the same respect as others get in their respective work environment. Labour law regulates the relationship between the employees, its workers, trade unions and governments. It has a socio-economic impact on the society at large if the relationship between any of the variables is not in harmony which can lead to devastating effects on the economy of a nation. The main purpose of labour laws is to provide a framework within which the employers, workers and their representatives can interact and build a harmonious industrial relation which is the desire of every democratic nation. The concept of labour laws is as old as human civilization and the problem of labours are in existence since time immemorial. The Constitution of India has guaranteed equal rights which are accessible  to each and every person. An attempt will be made to examine the existing provisions of labour under the Indian Constitution and other legislative enactments. The research methodology for the present work will be empirical and researcher will rely on primary as well and secondary data.