By,K. Venkata Ramana,

Lecturer, MBA Department,Gandhi Institute of Advanced Computer and Research,

Rayagada, Odisha

Labour legislation refers to the body of laws that deals with matters arising out of the occupational status of the workers.

It is the body of laws , administrative rulings that address the legal rights of and puts restrictions on working people and their organizations .

The objectives of Labour legislation is of two folds .

To improve the service conditions of industrial labour so as to provide for them ordinary amenities of life, and by that process

To bring about industrial peace which could in its turn accelerate the productivity of the country resulting in its prosperity.

Several factors which urged for the evolution of labour legislation in India :-

• Early Industrialism • Influence of colonial rules• The rise of Trade Union• The growth of Humanitarian ideas and the

concept of Social justice• Establishment of ILO• National movement• Indian constitution

Welfare and Protective Labour legislation Social security legislations Legislations concerning wages Industrial relations legislations

These are legislations that are meant to protect the working conditions of the workers at the workplace. These legislations provide the following provisions to the workers at the work place.

Health and safety provisions Welfare provisions Provisions to regulate annual leaves of workers Provisions to regulate working hours

Factories Act – 1948 Mines Act – 1952 Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition Act )- 1970 Plantation Labour act , 1951 Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment Act ),1948 A.P.Shops and Establishments Act , 1988

These are the legislations that are meant to protect the employee and his family during the days of his unemployment may be because of

Death Accident Sickness Retirement

1. The workmen’s Compensation Act – 19232. The ESI Act – 19483. The EPF Act- 19524. The payment of Gratuity Act- 1972

These are the legislations that are meant to regularise the payment of the employees in both organized and unorganized industriesand also to provide them with minimum amount of payment.

Payment of wages Act, 1936 Minimum Wages Act , 1948 Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 Equal remuneration Act, 1976

These are the legislations that provide guidelines to both the employer and the employees for the maintenance of sound industrial relations in the organizations.

Industrial Disputes Act, 1948 Industrial Employment Standing Orders Act, 1946 Indian Trade Union Act, 1926

In order to regulate the working conditions of the workers in factories and to protect the workers there of a legislation named Factories act, 1948 came into existence.

The act is a piece of social welfare provision meant to

Regulate the health, safety and welfare of the workmen . Regulate the working hours of workmen Provide them with annual leaves (with wages) Regulate the employment of women and young persons in

factories .