India’s Quest to Become the ‘Factory of the World’: Protecting Workers’ Rights is Paramount: Abhijeet Rane

• Low Wages: Factory workers in India are often paid meager wages.
• Lack of Safety: Workers face unsafe working conditions.
• Discriminatory Hiring Practices: Married women in the electronics sector face bias.
• Unsafe Living Conditions: Workers are often forced to live in unsafe and unsanitary conditions.

Legal Framework Governing Workers’ Rights

India has laws like:

• The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947: Regulates layoffs and retrenchments.
• The Factories Act, 1948: Ensures workers’ safety and health.
• The Minimum Wages Act, 1948: Fixes minimum wages.
• The Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952: Mandates provident funds.

As India grows as a manufacturing hub, prioritizing workers’ rights is essential. The government, employers, and workers’ unions must work together to address challenges and create a fair work environment.