LABOUR LAWS ENFORCEMENT AND ITS PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT ON WORKERS: PROTECTION VS. PRESSURE
AUTHOR – FARHEEN.A, STUDENT AT SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW
BEST CITATION – FARHEEN.A, LABOUR LAWS ENFORCEMENT AND ITS PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT ON WORKERS: PROTECTION VS. PRESSURE, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (4) OF 2025, PG. 907-913, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.
ABSTRACT:
The enforcement of labor laws plays a pivotal role in shaping the quality of work life and safeguarding workers’ rights. While the primary objective of these laws is to ensure fair treatment, decent wages, and safe working conditions, the degree and manner of enforcement significantly influence their real-world impact. This paper explores the complex relationship between labor law enforcement and its effects on workers, examining both the benefits and the unintended consequences. On one hand, effective enforcement mechanisms can lead to improved worker welfare, reduced exploitation, and enhanced job security. On the other hand, overly rigid or inconsistently applied enforcement may contribute to reduced employment opportunities, the growth of informal labor markets, or employer resistance. Through a combination of legal analysis, case studies, and empirical data, this study evaluates how enforcement practices shape worker experiences across different sectors and regions. It concludes by highlighting the need for balanced enforcement strategies that protect worker rights while fostering sustainable employment and inclusive economic growth.
There are certain conceptual additions which make the paper even more an analytical one, and they are as follows:
Human rights perspective: Emphasize labor law as part of broader human rights protection.
Decent work agenda: Align with ILO’s vision for inclusive and dignified employment.
Social dialogue: Mention the role of negotiation and cooperation between employers, workers, and the state.
Access to justice: Refer to the mechanisms available for workers to claim their rights.
Labor market dynamics: Add a macroeconomic dimension to enforcement effects.
Regulatory effectiveness: Discuss how well regulations function in practice.
Capacity-building: Suggest the importance of training inspectors and institutions.
Worker voice and agency: Include workers’ ability to assert and advocate for their rights.
It concludes by highlighting the need for balanced enforcement strategies that protect worker rights while fostering sustainable employment and inclusive economic growth.
KEY WORDS: Labour laws enforcement, impact on psychological health, balanced enforcement strategies etc.