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Mr. “R” was a regular worker in a small factory. He was not paid his wages properly and the factory did not follow the factory rules and regulations stated by the government, recently he lost his job and was found selling electrical items in a pushcart. Analyze the role of the government in protecting the workers like “R”.
Answer:
Answer by Student
The role of the government in protecting the workers like “R” is:
-
To ensure that they get
fair wages and working conditions
as per the Minimum Wages Act, of 1948 and the Factories Act, of 1948. These are the laws that set the minimum standards for the payment and treatment of workers in different sectors and industries.
-
To
provide social security and welfare schemes
for the workers such as Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), Provident Fund (PF), Gratuity, etc. The government has the responsibility to fund and manage these schemes and ensure that they reach all eligible workers. This way, the government can protect the workers from facing hardships and uncertainties in their lives.
-
To
regulate the informal sector and prevent exploitation and harassment
of workers by employers or middlemen. The government should also protect their rights and interests through laws like the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008, and the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.
-
To create more
employment opportunities and skill development programs
for the workers to enhance their income and livelihood. The government should promote various sectors like agriculture, industry, services, etc. that can generate more jobs for the workers. The government should also provide training and education to the workers to improve their skills and productivity.
- To ensure that the labor laws are followed by the factory owners and that the workers get benefits like overtime allowance, bonus, increment, health insurance, etc. The government should inspect the factories regularly and take action against any violation of labor laws.
Detailed Answer by Teachoo
The role of the government in protecting the workers like “R” is:
-
To ensure that they get
fair wages and working conditions
as per the Minimum Wages Act, of 1948 and the Factories Act, of 1948. These are the laws that set the minimum standards for the payment and treatment of workers in different sectors and industries. The government has the responsibility to implement these laws and punish those who violate them. This way, the government can protect the workers from being exploited and abused by their employers.
- To provide them with social security and welfare schemes such as Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), Provident Fund (PF), Gratuity, etc. These are the schemes that provide various benefits and facilities to the workers and their families in case of sickness, injury, death, retirement, etc. such as medical care, maternity leave, disability compensation, pension, etc. The government has the responsibility to fund and manage these schemes and ensure that they reach all eligible workers. This way, the government can protect the workers from facing hardships and uncertainties in their lives.
-
To regulate and recognize them in the
informal sector
. This means that the workers who are not registered or recognized by any authority and do not have any legal protection or benefits should be registered and regulated by the government and provided with identity cards, licenses, credit facilities, etc. The government should also protect their rights and interests through laws like the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008, and the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. This way, the government can protect the workers from being cheated and oppressed by their employers or middlemen.
-
To create more
employment opportunities and skill development programs
for them. This means that the government should promote various sectors like agriculture, industry, services, etc. that can generate more jobs for the workers. The government should also provide training and education to the workers to improve their skills and productivity. The government should also encourage entrepreneurship and self-employment among the workers through schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), etc. This way, the government can protect the workers from being unemployed and poor.
-
To ensure that the
labor laws are followed
by the factory owners and that the workers get benefits like overtime allowance, bonus, increment, health insurance, etc. The government should inspect the factories regularly and take action against any violation of labor laws. The government should also ensure that the workers are aware of their rights and duties and can voice their grievances through trade unions or other forums.
*Write any three points.
