Workers' rights
Also called: fair compensation, workplace rights · Topic: Employment, Unemployment and Informalisation · NCERT: Class 8, Ch 7 "Factors of Production"
Meaning
Workers' rights are what every worker is owed at work. They include fair pay, safe working conditions, no discrimination, training, health care and paid leave. Businesses are responsible for providing them, and labour laws protect them. In India the Constitution backs them too. Art. 23 bans forced and bonded labour, Art. 24 bans child labour in factories, mines and hazardous work, and Art. 43 (a Directive Principle, or goal for the state) calls for a living wage, meaning pay enough for a decent life.
Example
A garment factory that pays at least the minimum wage, gives safe machines and clean drinking water, grants paid leave and pays men and women equally for the same work is respecting workers' rights. A brick kiln that keeps workers in debt bondage (forced to work to repay a loan) violates them.
Don't confuse with
- Social security: this is one part of workers' rights. It means protection through provident fund, gratuity, pension, maternity benefit and medical benefits. Workers' rights are wider and also cover pay, safety, dignity and non-discrimination.
Related concepts
- Labour laws
- Tripartism
- Floor wage
- Fair wage
- Living wage
- Need-based minimum wage
- Lay-off
- Retrenchment
- Hire and fire
- Standing orders