India has large number of legislations, roughly 150 both at central and the State levels, earning the country the dubious distinction of being the highest labour legislated country in the world.
All the prevailing laws can be categorized into those relating to :
() Conditions of work,
() Wages, welfare, forced labour,
() Trade unions,
() Children and Women, social security, Industrial Harmony.
() UNION LEGISLATION:
TUs in our country are governed by TUs Act .1926. The main objective of this act is to provide for the registration of TUs and to give them legal status and immunity to their Office-bearers and members from civil and criminal liability in respect of legitimate TU activities. It is central legislation but is administered by State Governments.
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES ACT, 1947:- This is an Act to make provision for the investigation and settlement of Industrial disputes and for other purposes. It seeks to prevent strikes in the first place and when they occur, reasons to be found out and corrective steps to be taken to resolve the disputes. The machinery has both internal and external agencies. Internal agencies include works committee and grievance redressal committee. External agencies include, Conciliation Officers, Board of conciliation,labour courts and Industrial and national tribunals.
PAYMENT OF WAGES ACT,1936:The employers Obligations are:-
a) payment of wages and fix wage period not exceeding one month.
b) payment of wages on 7th or before every month where the number of employees are more than 1000,and on or before 10th if number is less than 1000.
c) payment of wages I currency in circulation,
d) not to make un-authorised deductions.
FACTORIES AT,1948: It is a welfare act seeking to ensure better working condition in industrial establishment.the act aims at the following,such as,health,safety,and welfare of employees. working hours of adults and annual leave with wages ;employment of women and young persons.
THE WORKMEN COMPENSATION ACT;-It seeks to provide social security to workers.Compensation need to be paid to employees and their families in case of industrial accidents and certain occupational diseses,arisin in/ out of work.The act specifies amount of compensation in case of death,disability.Workers are covered under Employees state insurance Act,1948.
Other laws are:
1)ESI ACT 1948
2)THE PAYMENT OF GRATUITY ACT,1972
3)THE MATERNITY BENEFIT ACT,1961
4)THE MINIMUM WAGES ACT,1948
5)THE PAYMENT OF BONUS ACT,1965
6)EQUAL REMUNERATION ACT,1976