Labour laws in India are designed to protect the rights, dignity, safety, and welfare of workers, with special focus on women workers and children, in line with the Constitution of India and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.

Objectives of Labour Laws

• Ensure fair wages and decent working conditions
• Protect women workers from discrimination and exploitation
• Prohibit child labour and promote education
• Provide social security and maternity benefits
• Prevent harassment and unsafe workplaces
• Promote industrial peace and social justice

Major Central Labour Laws

1. Industrial Relations Laws

• Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
• Trade Unions Act, 1926
• Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946

2. Wage and Remuneration Laws

• Minimum Wages Act, 1948
• Payment of Wages Act, 1936
• Payment of Bonus Act, 1965
• Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 (now part of Code on Wages, 2019)

3. Social Security and Welfare Laws

• Employees’ Provident Funds Act, 1952
• Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948
• Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
• Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923
• Women Labour Protection Laws

4. Laws for Women Workers

• Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

Provides paid maternity leave, nursing breaks, and job protection.

• Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act)

Ensures a safe, harassment-free workplace and mandates Internal Complaints Committees (ICC).

• Equal Remuneration Act, 1976

Guarantees equal pay for equal work without gender discrimination.

• Factories Act, 1948 (Special Provisions for Women)

Regulates working hours, night shifts (with safeguards), and welfare facilities.

• Code on Social Security, 2020

Extends maternity and social security benefits to women in organised and unorganised sectors.

Child & Adolescent Labour Protection Laws

5. Child Labour Laws

• Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 (Amended in 2016)

Prohibits employment of children below 14 years and regulates adolescent labour (14–18 years).

• Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act)

Guarantees free education to children aged 6–14 years.

• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015

Penalises exploitation, abuse, and illegal employment of children.

• Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976

Prohibits bonded and forced labour, including child bonded labour.

Occupational Safety & Working Conditions

• Factories Act, 1948
• Mines Act, 1952
• Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996
• Dock Workers (Safety, Health & Welfare) Act, 1986

Laws for Unorganised & Migrant Workers

• Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008
• Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979
• Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood) Act, 2014
• e-Shram Portal (National Database for Unorganised Workers)

New Labour Codes (Government of India)

• Code on Wages, 2019
• Industrial Relations Code, 2020
• Code on Social Security, 2020
• Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions Code, 2020

Role of Trade Unions in Women & Child Protection

Trade unions actively work to:

• Prevent child labour and bonded labour
• Ensure safe and dignified workplaces for women
• Support maternity, wage equality, and POSH compliance
• Provide legal assistance to women and vulnerable workers
• Promote education and rehabilitation of child workers

Bharatiya Janata Majdoor Cell Commitment

Bharatiya Janata Majdoor Cell, a registered trade union under the Trade Unions Act, 1926, is committed to:

• Protection of women workers’ rights
• Eradication of child labour
• Legal support and awareness programs
• Welfare of organised and unorganised workers
• Alignment with national labour reforms and ILO standards

“Empowering women and protecting children strengthens the future of the nation.”