The Employees State Insurance Act, 1948, is one of the most prominent social security legislations in India. It has been enacted to provide certain benefits like medical, pension to dependents of deceased workers, sickness, maternity and employment injury benefits to employees.
The Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 is an important legislation which plays a significant role in the sphere of Labour Law. The Act came into existence in 1952 which assures essential Provident Fund, Employees’ Pension Scheme and Deposit Linked Insurance in factories and other establishments for the benefits of employees. The Act was enacted with the main objective of making some provisions for the future of industrial workers after their retirement and for their dependents in case of death. The Act aims to provide for institution of provident funds, family pension funds and deposit linked insurance funds for the employees in the factories and other establishments.
The Employees' Compensation Act, 1923 which was earlier known as Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923, provides compensation benefits to certain classes of employees by their employer for the injury which is caused to them as a result of accident arising out of employment and in the course of employment. Hence if an employee suffers injury in the course of employment shall be entitled to compensation. This Act basically provides a social security to employees who receive incapacity resulting in loss in the earning capacity.
Term "Labour Welfare" refers to all such services, amenities and facilities given to the employees that improve their working conditions as well as standard of living. Its interpretation varies from entity to entity as per their socio-economic condition, degree of industrialization and level of maturity of fundamental democratic values
The Minimum Wages Act, 1948 has been enacted to provide the minimum wages in certain specified employments. The Minimum Wages Act binds the employers to pay the minimum wages fixed under the Act from time to time. Under the provisions of the Act both the Central and State Government have authority to fix, review, revise and enforce the minimum wages to workers employed in scheduled employment under their respective jurisdictions.
The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 has been enacted to provide for a scheme for payment of gratuity to employees engaged in factories, mines, oilfields, plantations, ports, railway companies, shops or other establishments upon their superannuation, retirement, resignation, death or disablement due to accident or disease.
The Act has been enacted to regulate the payment of wages to workers employed in certain specified industries and to ensure a speedy and effective remedy to them against illegal deductions and/or unjustified delay caused in paying wages to them.
The Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970 has been enacted to regulate the employment of contract Labour and to bring them at par with directly employed Labour with regard to the working conditions and other benefits and also to provide for abolition of contract Labour in certain circumstances.
The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 has been enacted to provide & regulate the payment of bonus to employees in certain specified establishments either on the basis of profits or on the basis of productivity of the establishment.
The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961has been enacted to regulate the employment of women in certain establishments for a certain period before and after the child birth and also to provide for maternity and other benefits.
The Apprentices Act, 1961 has been enacted to regulate and control the training of apprentices and for matters connected therewith.
Collective Bargaining is the process of negotiating between the representatives of the organized workers / employees and representatives of their employer usually for the purposes of determining wages, working hours and working conditions. Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes right to organize trade unions as a fundamental human right and International Labor Organization declares Collective Bargaining as an essential right of the workers.
The Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act was enacted in 1959 to provide for compulsory notification of vacancies to the Employment Exchanges and for the rendition of returns relating to Employment situation by the employers. This act came into force with effect from 1st May, 1960.
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. An Act to provide protection against sexual harassment of women at workplace and for the prevention and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961has been enacted to regulate the employment of women in certain establishments for a certain period before and after the child birth and also to provide for maternity and other benefits.
The Equal Remuneration Act is a gift of "the International Women's Year" to women workers. It is enacted to give effect to the provision of Article 39 of the Constitution of India which contains a directive principle of equal pay for equal work for both men and women. The Act provides for the payment of equal remuneration to men and women workers for the same work or work of a similar nature and for the prevention of discrimination on the ground of sex against women in the matter of employment. The main provisions of the Act are as follows.