What could happen if there were no laws that prohibited child labor? Businesses and organizations would have many more kids than schools. In the same way, if there were no time-based overtime rules, employers could be able to hire low-paid employees on a 24/7 basis. These two scenarios may seem far-fetched, but they are a part of India’s different types of labor laws. Learn about the rules governing workers, what kinds of labor laws exist, and the significance of labor law in India.

What is Labour Law?

The existing rules and regulations that define the obligations and rights of employees in contrast to the employer are part of the labor law in India. If an organization employs a worker, they are given specific guidelines regarding the nature of work, hours, and other details that are all part of the employment contract. What happens if the worker is expected to work outside the hours stipulated in their contract? What can the employee do if the company terminates their employment without reason? Do pregnant women have to choose between the two?

Answers to these and many similar issues involving employees and employers are addressed by India’s different forms of labor law. The goal is to create an equitable relationship between workers and employers to ensure that power doesn’t be concentrated on financially successful people.

What are the Various Types of Labour Law in India?

The various labor laws can be based on the foundation on which they are classified. It is contingent on who it applies to and is also determined by the particular interest the law focuses on. If we concentrate on those who are identified by the statute, the forms of law governing labor could be separated into two categories:

Two Types of Labour Laws

Collective Labour Law

Individual Labour Law

In the wake of the very first, collective labor laws are the ones that focus on the trilateral relationship between the employee as well as employer and union. The laws regulate the legality of strikes as well as the regulation of industrial disputes etc.

On the other hand, the individual labor laws, as the name implies, are more focused on the individual rights of workers from India. Examples include laws that protect the social security of employees as well as discrimination prevention, for example.

Another way to classify labor law in India could be by analyzing the most critical regulated areas. Every worker shouldn’t be restricted to work and earn money. It is essential to have humane work conditions. They are entitled to compensation in the event of injuries while working; there should be equally paid for equal work. The various laws that address an issue specifically by way of labor law bare laws have been classified into the following categories:

Six Types of Labour Laws in India

Laws on Industrial Relations

Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

Trade Unions Act, 1926

Industrial Employment Standing Order Act, 1946

Laws on Wages

Minimum Wages Act

Payment of Wages Act

Amount of Bonus Act, 1965

Working Journalists (Fixation of Rates of Wages Act, 1958

Laws on Employment Conditions

Factories Act, 1948

Plantation Labour Act, 1951

Mines Act, 1952

Merchant Shipping Act, 1958

Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961

Journalists working for newspapers and other employees’ (Conditions of Service and Other. Provisions) Act, 1955

Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005

Plantation Labour Act, 1951

Beedi & Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966

Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970

Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation Act, 1957

Sales Promotion Employees Act, 1976.

Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979

Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993

Building & Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment & Conditions of Service) Act, 1996

Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996

Dock Workers (Safety, Health & Welfare) Act, 1986

Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) (Inapplicability to Major Ports) Act, 1997

Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1948

Dangerous Machines (Regulation) Act, 1983

Cine-Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1981