SOCIAL SECURITY AND LABOUR LEGISLATION IN INDIA

AUTHOR – M R HARINIVETHA, STUDENT OF B. COM LLB (HONS), SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW, THE TAMIL NADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY, CHENNAI.

BEST CITATION – M R HARINIVETHA, SOCIAL SECURITY AND LABOUR LEGISLATION IN INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (4) OF 2025, PG. 656-668, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

Abstract

This study enlightens the constitutional foundations that support social security for workers in India, anchoring its examination in Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Indian Constitution and delves into the profound impact that the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and social justice have had on the development and transformation of legal structures aimed at protecting labor rights. Examining closely important court decisions and major legislative successes reveals the complex link between state practices and constitutional directions. By means of a rigorous analysis of the historical trajectory of labor laws from the post-colonial era to contemporary times, it reveals the roots and progressive evolution of important statutes including the Employee’s State Insurance Act, Employees’ Provident Fund Act, and the Workmen’s Compensation Act. Against the vast canvas of India’s political and economic development, we are revealing the slow change of inherited colonial institutions to fit the demands of a modern, industrializing society. The analysis demonstrates the ongoing challenges in balancing high constitutional values with the actual reality of economic inequality and the large unofficial work sector. Defining the terrain of labor rights has been much aided by the interpretations of the courts in bridging the distance between the aspirations of law and the urgent needs of society. Although the constitutional clauses provide a solid basis for social security, its successful application usually faces challenges because of administrative inefficiencies and the complexity of socioeconomic issues. In essence, this paper presents a series of thoroughly considered policy recommendations supporting integrated improvements aimed to improve the effective performance of constitutional tasks. In this sense, it improves the academic discussion on the transformation of constitutional ideals into practical rights by helping to build a more inclusive and flexible framework that so effectively safeguards the interests of every worker in India’s varied and rapidly changing economy. This extensive research provides a great understanding of the interplay between legal theory and policy implementation, therefore improving the argument on social justice and labor rights in India.

Index Terms: Constitution, Equality, Non-discrimination, Social Justice, Labour Rights, Social Security.