The complete list of Labor Laws in India

Laborers have always been the backbone of the economy for India and the constitution has paid extra attention to ensure that their rights are not negated under any circumstances. From paid maternity leaves for women to mentioning that child labor is a criminal offense, it has got all the sectors covered with law. In case of any negligence,  laborers can contact a labor law consultant for further assistance.

No one can force them to do something against their will, and they have to be provided with the proper atmosphere to work in.

But the laborers have to remain aware of all the legal facilities they have been bestowed with. Here is a complete list of the labor laws in India at a glance.

1) For industrial areas, the constitution has segmented the laws to -

Industrial Employment standing order Act of 1946

Trade Union Act of 1926 and

Industrial DIsputes Act of 1947.

2) For women, laws are drafted so that equality is maintained -

Equal Remuneration Act of 1976 and

Maternity Benefits Act of 1961.

3) Labour laws in India takes care of the underprivileged and disadvantaged section of the society with-

Abolition of bonded labor system Act of 1976,

Prohibition of Child labor Act of 1986,

Children Act (includes other areas) of 1933.

4) To safeguard the interests of the workers of various sectors, various laws have been drafted. They include

-Workmen’s compensation Act,

-Employees insurance Act,

-Provident fund Act, and Gratuity Act in the years 1923, 1948, 1952, and 1972 respectively.

 5) Also, the employer is responsible for a lot of things related to the welfare of the workers and it comes under the Employers' Liability Act of 1938.

6) Employers often mistreat the laborers of the beedi industry. The constitution has laid down the Beedi workers’ welfare fund Act and Beedi workers’ welfare cess Act in 1976 in favor of the workers. In case of adverse scenarios, they can always contact the labor law consultants and seek help.

7) Similar rights have been bestowed to the people related to the film industry, and laws like Cine workers’ welfare cess act and cine workers’ welfare fund Act of 1981 have been passed to avoid discrimination.

8) Laborers related to occupations that are of high risk have also got their rights secured. Fatal accidents act of 1855, Iron ore and mines act of 1976, and other similar acts of 1972 take care of their welfare.

9) Personal injuries act (both for compensation and emergency provision) was passed in 1962 and 63 so that no laborer ever gets denied medical treatment due to lack of money.

10) Labor laws in India also have a provision for unorganized laborers so as to secure their lives and working rights. The constitution has laid down an act known as the Unorganised workers’ social security act in 2008 for the same.

11) There are various laws drafted keeping in mind the duty hours and difficult circumstances under which the laborers have to work. The Factories Act of 1948, the Plantation Labor act of 1951, Mines Act of 1952, Industrial Employment Act of 1946, and the private security agencies Act of 2005 are all implemented so that no laborer is denied his/ her rights or exploited by the employer.

 12) For people related to the media houses and journalists, the authority has passed an act popularly known as the working journalists and other newspaper employees act, and this has been enforced in 1955.

13) Laborers of various shipping companies and dockworkers have their interests and rights secured with the enforcement of the Merchant Shipping Act of 1958 and the Dockworkers act of 1948.

14) Building and other construction workers’ acts and workers’ welfare cess act was passed in 1996.

 15) The constitution has not overlooked the area of manual scavengers as they are the most neglected laborers in terms of daily wage, working conditions, and respect. They are often mistreated. The employment of manual scavengers and construction of dry latrines (prohibition) Act was passed in 1993.

16) Migrant workmen can file a suit under the Interstate migrant workmen act 1979 as this act provides them with the right to voice out any discrimination they might be facing while working in outstation areas.

The problem with our country is that the laborers are not aware of their rights. The government should be taking up serious initiatives to reach out to more poor laborers and make them aware of their rights. Also, employers have to be honest and they should never exploit their manpower.