Law of Minimum Wages


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Law of Minimum Wages

As with the law on minimum wages, which is meant to protect workers, there are also laws that protect the interests of producers and consumers in the market. These laws ensure that the relations between these three parties- the workers, consumer and producer- are governed in a manner that is not exploitative.

Merely making laws in not enough. The government has to ensure that these laws are implemented. This means that the law must be enforced. Enforcement becomes even more important when the law seeks to protect the weak from the strong. For instance, to ensure that every worker gets fair wages, the government has to regularly inspect work sites and punish those who violate the law. When workers are poor or powerless, the fear of losing future earnings or facing reprisals often forces them of accept low wages. Employers know this well and use their power to pay workers less than the fair wage. In such cases, it is crucial that laws are enforced.

Through making, enforcing and upholding these laws, the government can control the activities of individuals or private companies so as to ensure social justice. Many of these laws have their basis in the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian constitution. For instance, the Right against Exploitation says that no one can be forced to work for low wages or under bondage. Similarly, the constitution lays down “no child below the age of 14 years shall be employed to work in any factory or mines or engaged in any other hazardous employment

 
 


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