Women’s rights under Indian labour laws: a socio-legal study of Aligarh and Agra

Abstract

Women constitute half of the world s population, work two third of the world s working hours, earn one tenth of the world s income and own less than one tenth of the world s property. Women in India from antiquity were accorded the most exalted and respectful place in the society. In Vedic Age women occupied a high position in society and played a significant role in all fields including cultural, social, religious and political. Their position however, deteriorated during the Post Vedic Period. They were confined within the four walls of the house and their role remained restricted to the traditional household work of cooking, maintenance of home and rearing of children. They were not supposed to seek any gainful employment outside the family. This hindered their economic development and reduced their social position. The history of women s participation in gainful employment is a recent one. After the Industrial Revolution, the social situation changed throughout the world and so in India. The family no more remained a centre of production. Due to industrialization and urbanization new social norms and values emerged. Job opportunities, economic hardship and favourable cultural and social situations encouraged cultural and social situation encouraged women to seek employment outside the home.After independence of the country the number of women to come out of their houses for work increased day by day. Although entering of women into work force raised their economic and social status, yet it gave rise to many problems and difficulties to them by way of exploitation, discrimination and dismal working conditions. The problems and difficulties got multiplied due to their peculiar social, biological and psychological conditions and due to their illiteracy and ignoranceTo undo the discrimination and exploitation, their arose a need to provide them some security and protection through law. The Constitution of India, inter-alia, made several provisions for the protection and security of women workers.