Equal Remuneration Act 1976
Topic: Safeguards for Vulnerable Sections: SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities, Women and Children · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 3 "Gender, Religion and Caste"
Meaning
The Equal Remuneration Act 1976 requires that men and women be paid equally for the same or similar work. It also bars discrimination based on sex in recruitment. It gives effect to Art. 39(d), the Directive Principle of equal pay for equal work. The Act is now part of the Code on Wages 2019.
Example
If a factory pays a woman packer less than a man doing the same packing work, it breaks this law. Even so, Class 10, Gender, Religion and Caste notes that women are still paid less than men in most areas of work.
Don't confuse with
- Art. 39(d): a Directive Principle, so courts cannot enforce it directly. The 1976 Act is the law that turns that goal into an enforceable rule.
Related concepts
- Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013
- Internal Committee
- Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017
- Babita Puniya case
- Dowry Prohibition Act 1961
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005
- Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act 2021
- Justice Verma Committee (2013)
- Nirbhaya Fund