3. Preliminary Stage
Enactments in favour
of workman:
• The conditions of labour were for the first time
given consideration in this stage. The Fatal
Accidents Act, 1855, was passed. Before, the
passing of this act, the general perception was
that neither party is at fault for an accident and so
the employer couldn’t be held liable. The
Factories Act was passed which placed limitations
on the working hours of women and children. It
was also meant to secure better working
conditions. The Mines Act was passed for securing
safe conditions of work.
Enactments in favour
of employer
• The Workmen’s Breach
of Contract Act,
Employers’ and
Workmen’s Disputes
Act, 1869 and the IPC
contained such
provisions rendering
workmen liable for
criminal penalties for
breach of contract.
4. Development Period
After the First World War, there were many changes in the industrial sector.
Businesses flourishes and expanded with increase in competition. New
factories began to be established. The population of workmen grew
consequently. The workmen now got an opportunity to organize
themselves. Collective bargaining replaced individual contracts. The workers
frequently resorted to strikes for the fulfillment of their demands. For
fulfilling these demands, new laws emerged. The International Labour
Organization was also set up in 1919 for the promotion of industrial peace
and social justice. India was also a member. The Trade Disputes Act, 1929,
the Workmen’s Compensation Act and the Trade Union Act, 1923, were
passed. This period ends with the passing of the Industrial Disputes Act,
1947, which repealed and replaced the Trade Disputes Act.
5. Independence Period
• Basic values enshrined in the Constitution of India (Preamble,
fundamental rights and DPSPs): social justice, equality, dignity, fairness,
living wage, humane conditions of work, prohibition of forced labour,
economic justice.
• The Minimum Wages Act, 1948
• The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948
• The Factories Act, 1948
• The Maternity Benefits Act
• The Payment of Bonus Act
