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Living Wages a deep concern for the welfare of the workers

Zafar Bhat. Dated: 11/13/2018 10:29:26 AM

Zafar Bhat
Jammu, Nov 12
Categorically, it is requires the state should endeavour to secure, by suitable legislation, or economic organization, or in any other way, to all workers, agricultural, industrial or otherwise, work, a living wage, conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life and full employment of leisure and social and cultural opportunities. In particular, the state is to promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operative basis in rural areas.
However, the employees are entitled as of right of certain relief. Thus, exemption from excise duties granted to cotton fabrics produced by co-operative societies has been held valid in terms of constitution.
Notably, A ‘living was’ is such wage as enables the male earner to provide for himself and his family not merely the bare essentials of food, clothing and shelter, but including education for children, protection against ill health, requirement of essential social needs, and a measure of insurance against the more important misfortunes including old age. A ‘minimum wage’, on the other hand, is just sufficient to cover the bare physical needs of a worker and his family. Minimum wage is to be fixed in an industry irrespective of its capacity to pay. Fixation of minimum wage is in public interest and does not impose an unreasonable restrict to the carry on a trade.
Pertinently, the state should ensure a reasonable decent standard of life, medical aid, freedom from want, freedom from fear and enjoyable leisure, relieving the boredom and the humility of dependence in old age. . The workers should not be compelled to work on all days. It is necessary that they also enjoy some holidays. As human beings, they are entitled to a period of rest which would enable them to fully enjoy their leisure and participate in social cultural activities.