Scribd
Upload
38 views5 pages

PDF Document 2

Uploaded by

mohd.ashaz21
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
38 views5 pages

PDF Document 2

Uploaded by

mohd.ashaz21
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

According to a law on minimum wages, a worker has to be paid not less than the

minimum wage by the employer. There are other laws that protect the interests of
producers and consumers in the market. These help ensure that the relations
between these three parties i.e the worker, consumer and producer, are governed
in a manner that is not exploitative. By making, enforcing and upholding laws, the
government can control the activities of individuals or private companies so as to
ensure social justice.

Case Study:
Imagine a market situation. A major issue is the issue of workers' wages.
 Private companies, contractors, and businesspersons to achieve
profit might deny workers their rights and they might not pay them wages
which is illegal according to the law.
 Furthermore, to guarantee that those workers are not underpaid,
there is a law on minimum wages to protect them.
 Just like the law on minimum wages protects workers, some laws
protect producers’ and consumers' interests in the market.
 There are laws to protect workers, consumers, and producers.

Laws:
Step 1: Forming Laws
 Minimum wages act: Wages should not be below the specified
minimum wage, which gets revised every year by the government. This law
is meant to protect workers of all sorts.
 The law specifies that there should be adequate safety measures in
workplaces. Like the alarm system, emergency exits, properly - functioning
machinery, etc.
 The law requires that the quality of goods should meet certain
standards. Like the electrical appliance should meet safety standards. Poor
quality of products may cause damage to consumers.
 The law requires that the prices of essential goods are not too high.
To make sure that the poor will be able to afford these goods.
 The law requires that factories do not pollute air or water.
 Laws against child labour in workplaces. No kid below the age of 14
should be employed to work in factories, mines, or other hazardous
employment.
 Laws to form workers’ unions or associations. Unions or associations
help the workers to form a group and thus the power to demand better
wages and working conditions.

Step 2: Implementing Laws


 The government has to periodically examine worksites and take
necessary action when laws are violated.
 On a large scale, controlling the malpractices may reassure social
justice.

Case Study:
Bhopal Gas Tragedy
On 2 December night 1984, an American company, Union Carbide (UC) had a
factory in the city in which it produced pesticides whose methyl- isocyanate (MIC)
- a highly poisonous gas - started leaking. In a matter of three days, more than
8,000 people were dead, and many were affected by the gas. Those who survived
developed critical respiratory disorders, eye problems, and other health
disorders. Even Children developed strange abnormalities.

What is a Worker's Worth?


Why Did Union Carbide Establish Its Plant in India?
To cut down costs. Less cost, more profit.
 Cheap labour - As compared to other developed countries,
developing countries like India have cheaper labour.
 Companies can extract longer hours of work for lower pay.
 Supplementary expenses such as the money spent on housing
facilities of workers also reduce.
 Cutting costs can also be done by lowering the quality of working
conditions which includes lower safety measures.


Case Study:
Between the years 1980-1984, the number of workers in the MIC plant was
halved, risking people's safety. The workers were given safety training for only 15
days, in the place of 6 months. These risked the safety of the workers.
Comparison of Safety Protocols in Virginia, USA and of Bhopal, India:
In Virginia, USA:
 Computerized warning and monitoring systems were present to
ensure safety in the plant and monitor accidents like gas leaks.
 Emergency evacuation plans were well organized.
 Proper treatment of polluted resources was mandatory.
In Bhopal, India:
 No automated monitoring systems were present. It was utterly
reliable on manual gauges and the human senses to detect gas leaks or any
accident.
 No pre-planned emergency evacuation systems.
 The environmental pollution caused due to the production was not
an issue of the UC plant.

Why is There a Difference in These Safety Standards?


Reduced safety standards means less investment money. In developed countries
like the USA, no labor would be available if the safety standards are
compromised. In a developing country like India, where the unemployment rate is
high, people compromise safety over employment. There was not even proper
compensation for the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy. The employers misuse
the need for income of the people.
Enforcement of Safety Laws
What was the government doing when there have been such blatant violations of
safety standards within the UC plant?
 The safety laws in the Indian constitution are not very strong or legit.
 Even those weak laws are not implemented properly.

In the Case of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy:


1. Problem: The hazardous nature of the UC plant was ignored by the
officials.
Reason: Despite many municipal officials' objections against the UC plant
pointing out the unsafe working environment; it was ignored by higher
officials as the UC plant was a very large investment that could give more
employment opportunities.
2. Problem: The government officials continued approval of the plant, though
repeated gas leaks were evidently dangerous.
Reason: It was illogical for the officials to ask the UC plant to switch to a
safer working environment. Here both government and private companies
ignored the interest of the citizens.

New Laws To Protect the Environment:


 In the case study of the Bhopal gas tragedy, many localities with the
workers were affected. The gas leak caused death and health hazards to
everyone who inhaled it, that is everyone who lived in that area.
 Other than just protecting the workers, the law has to be enforced to
also protect the environment for which no proceedings are taken by the
government.
 Up until the 1980s Environment was a free entitlement to be used by
anyone without thinking about the consequences in India.
 Environmental activists emphasized the points and demanded the
government to take immediate action.
 Laws were enforced by the government, to not exploit the
environment for mere industrial usages. The polluter is held accountable
for any such pollution caused by his/her industry.
 The right to a healthy environment was brought under the laws of the
Right to Life.
 The Supreme Court held that the 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.
 The government is accountable for checking pollution levels,
maintaining clean rivers, and introducing heavy fines for those who pollute.

You might also like