Labour Laws

The Ministry of Labour & Employment is one of the oldest and important Ministries of
the Government of India. The main responsibility of the Ministry is to protect and
safeguard the interests of workers in general and those who constitute the poor,
deprived and disadvantage sections of the society, in particular, with due regard to
creating a healthy work environment for higher production and productivity and to
develop and coordinate vocational skill training and employment services.

Government’s attention is also focused on promotion of welfare and providing social
security to the labour force both in organized and unorganized sectors, in tandem
with the process of liberalization. These objectives are sought to be achieved
through enactment and implementation of various labour laws, which regulate the
terms and conditions of service and employment of workers. The State Governments
are also competent to enact legislations, as labour is a subject in the concurrent list
under the Constitution of India.

At present, there are 44 labour related statutes enacted by the Central Government
dealing with minimum wages, accidental and social security benefits, occupational
safety and health, conditions of employment, disciplinary action, formation of trade
unions, industrial relations, etc. The list of Central Acts is annexed.

Welfare of the Unorganized Sector Workers

As per the survey carried out by the National Sample Survey Organization in the
year 2009-10, the total employment, in both organized and unorganized sectors in
the country was of the order of 46.5 crore comprising around 2.8 crore in the
organized sector and the balance 43.7 crore workers in the unorganized sector. Out
of 43.7 crore workers in the unorganized sector, there are 24.6 crore workers
employed in agricultural sector, about 4.4 crore in construction work and remaining
in manufacturing and service. In order to ensure welfare of workers in the
unorganized sector which, inter alia, include weavers, handloom workers, fishermen
and fisherwomen, toddy tappers, leather workers, plantation labour, beedi workers,
the ‘Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008’ has been enacted. As per the
provisions of the Act, a National Social Security Board has been constituted for
recommending formulation of social security schemes viz. Life and disability cover,
health and maternity benefits, old age protection and any other benefit as may be
determined by the Government for unorganized workers.

Vision
Decent Working Conditions and Improved Quality of Life of Workers, Ensuring India
without Child Labour and Enhancing Employability on a Sustainable Basis.
Mission
Formulating and Implementing Policies / Programmes / Schemes / Projects for
Providing Social Security and Welfare, Regulating Conditions of Work, Occupational

Health and Safety of Workers, Eliminating Child Labour, Promoting Harmonious
Industrial Relations, Ensuring Enforcement of Labour Laws and Promoting
Employment Services.