Causes: The causes for Labour Movement are as follows:
(a) Interest of labourers: Generally industrialists concentrate on their profit rather than workers and their welfare. Labours are exploited by way of giving lesser wages, not declaring bonus, extended hours of work, denial of medical facilities, dismissal from service, etc.
(b) Negligence towards employees: The matters concerning to labourers were decided unilaterally by the Apex Body of the company. Naturally the interests of labourers were neglected.
(c) To get facilities: As the labourers are engaged in monotonous physical strain, they need to have a leisure, proper facilities like potable water, cafeteria, toilet rooms, rest rooms, creaches. medical requirements etc., for both men and women.
(d) Welfare programs: The fate of the companies depends upon the welfare and well-being of the workers. They need some benefits like bonus, allowances, loans, insurance, free quarters, transport and education facilities, pension, family pension, etc.
(e) Plight of workers of unorganized sectors: Anganawadi workers, agricultural labourers, workers on daily wages are exploited to the core as they are still fighting for their rights. The above all reasons leads to the Labor Movements.
Political Implications: To meet the demands of labourers and to provide benefits, the government has taken certain constitutional measures. They are:
(a) Part IV of the Indian Constitution which deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy directs State Governments to adopt socialist measures like equal pay for equal work for both men and women, to provide leave facilities for pregnant women for both prenatal and postnatal care. The concurrent list empowers the governments to legislate on the workers welfare.
(b) The Government of India enforced certain laws for the improvement of labourers. The Labour Laws of 1970 have fixed the wages of workers appointed on contract basis. Workmen Compensation Act of 1923. Salary Payment Act of 1936, Weekly Holidays Act of 1942. Minimum Wages Act of 1948. Employees State Insurance Act of 1948. Employees Provident Fund Act of 1952. Bonus Act of 1965 are the other laws implemented for the benefit of labourers.
