Law and Social Justice

Q1. How are the people of working class exploited economically?

Ans. They are made to work for lower pay and for longer hours.

Q2. What does the right against exploitation state?

Ans. The Right against Exploitation says that no one can be forced to work for low wages or under bondage.

Q3. Why do the workers willingly work in unsafe conditions?

Ans. Since there is so much unemployment, there are many workers who are willing to work in unsafe conditions in return for a wage.

Q4. Why are companies and contractors able to violate environmental laws?

Ans. Companies and contractors are able to violate environmental laws because these laws are not strictly enforced.

Q5. What does Article 21 of the Constitution state?

Ans. Right to Life is a Fundamental Right under Article 21 of the Constitution and it includes the right to the enjoyment of pollution-free water and air for full enjoyment of life.

Q6. Who sets the minimum wages?

Ans. The Minimum Wages Act 1948 is an Act of Parliament concerning Indian labour law that sets the minimum wages that must be paid to skilled and unskilled labours.

Q7. Why do we need laws?

Ans. We need laws because it protects our general safety, and ensure our rights as citizens against abuses by other people, by organizations, and by the government itself.

Q8. Can you suggest some ways in which enforcement can be improved?

Ans. Ways to improve the enforcement

                       i.        Recruitment of adequate number of enforcement staff

                      ii.        Anyone found violating the law must be penalised with a strict punishment

Q9. What are the problems in enforcement?

Ans. Problems in enforcement are:

                        i.        Inadequate staff

                       ii.        Lack of training

                      iii.        Large population

Q10. What are the three basic rights of workers?

Ans. Basics rights of workers are:

                        i.        Right to work

                       ii.        Right to a fair wage

                      iii.        Decent work conditions

Q11. Why do we need a law on minimum wages?

Ans. We need a law on minimum wages so that workers may get fair wages by their employers. Most often they are denied fair wages by their employers. The employers usually take advantage of their poverty and pay them low wages.

Q12. How can the government ensure social justice?

Ans. Through making, enforcing and upholding the laws, the government can control the activities of individuals or private companies so as to ensure social justice. Many of these laws have their basis in the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.

Q13. Can you point to a few other situations where laws (or rules) exist but people do not follow them because of poor enforcement?

Ans. Yes, they are

                        i.        Over-speeding by motorists

                       ii.        Boarding a running bus

                      iii.        Not using Zebra crossing for crossing the road

Q14. Why do you think enforcement of safety laws is important in any factory?

Ans. Enforcement of safety laws is important in any factory for the safety of the workers and general public. As the lawmaker and enforcer, the government is supposed to ensure that safety laws are implemented. It is also the duty of the government to ensure that the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution is not violated.