Laws relating to labour welfare in India: A study with special reference to manual scavengers

This research is the study of the living standard of the workers working in the hazardous work places such as manual scavenging. There was no any specific provision for the labours in ancient time. They were considered as commodity not the human beings, they were purchased and sold but with the passage of time they were also treated as human beings as their rights were recognised by the law. Now, the labours have equal rights and liabilities. For this purpose, various legislations have been passed and numerous decisions has been given. Even there was no any specified rule or provision for payment of wages in exchange of their labour in ancient times. People used to exploit the labours by not giving them appropriate wages in exchange of their work. Often, they were given either less wages or no wages. But as soon the society changed its role, various Acts have been enacted for the protection of their rights. Labour welfare is integral part of employee and employer relationship. So, in relation to prevent the exploitation of the rights of the manual scavengers, Indian parliament has enacted its first law in relation to eradicate the employment of the manual scavenger called as “The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993.” But this Act was not implemented strictly that's why the next law for the eradication of the employment of the manual scavengers is passed which is known as “The Prohibition of Employment of Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.”