Page 39 - DCOM207_LABOUR_LAWS

Labour Laws

Notes goals. And in December 1918, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) issued its own
distinctively apolitical report, which called for the achievement of numerous incremental
improvements via the collective bargaining process.

Task Do you think that the establishment of ILO brings out changes in the labour
legislation? If yes, give reason.

3.2.2 Factors Specific to India

The factors discussed above are the general factors influencing the shape of labour legislation.
There are specific factors, peculiar to India which has influenced labour legislations.

Influence of colonial rule

Most of the early labour legislation came into being because of the pressure from the manufacturers
of Lancashire and Birmingham; because labour employed in factories and mills in India were
proving very cheap in comparison to their British counterpart. No doubt, these legislations were
beneficial to Indian labour but this benefit was incidental to the main purpose, i.e. the protection
of the interests of British Capitalists.
The British Civil Servants carried with them the British tradition of democracy and pragmatism.
The Workman Compensation Act, 1923, the Indian Trade Unions Act, 1926, the Payment of
Wages Act, 1936 etc. followed British pattern

The struggle for national emancipation and adoption of Indian Constitution

The Industrial Workers got support from the freedom struggle and nationalist leaders who
made tireless efforts to get protective labour legislations enacted. The Indian Trade Unions Act,
the appointment of Royal Commission on Labour etc. was because of pressure from freedom
struggle.

The leaders of the national movement had promised the establishment of a better and just social
order after independence; which was ultimately embodied in the Preamble, Fundamental Rights
and Directive Principles of State Policy of the Indian Constitution.

We have plethora of labour legislations immediately after independence -
l z The Factories Act, 1948
l z The E.S.I. Act, 1948

l z The Minimum Wages Act, 1948
l z Mines Act, 1952
l z Employees P.F.& Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952
l z Plantation Labour Act, 1951
l z Payment of Bonus Act, 1965

Did u know? The legislations can be categorized as follows:
1. Labour laws enacted by the Central Government, where the Central Government has
the sole responsibility for enforcement.

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