A STUDY ON WHY IS INDIA INCAPABLE OF PROVIDING THE LIVING WAGE TO ITS CITIZENS?
Rajat Datta, Amity Law School, Noida
Abstract
India being the largest democracy in the world with 2nd highest populated countries in the world which includes 28 states and 8 union territories. The constitution of India provides for equal and fair wage for workers employed. So, to find out the fair wage for every employee, a committee was formed and on its recommendation, Minimum Wage Act, 1948 was introduced. According to the Minimum Wage Act, minimum wage includes remuneration+house rent allowance whereas living wage is just a type of wage which fulfills all needs as well as luxurious needs. By the time with the amendments, minimum wage rate was increased and it differs from state to state, hence, there is no single uniform minimum wage rate across the country and the structure has become overly complex. But if we analyze the current scenario, huge unemployment and inflation is defeating the purpose of minimum wage act due to which workers have to accept the employment even on lower wage rate even if it exploits them. Every side of economy such industry, agriculture, IT, etc, skilled or unskilled workers have to accept certain employment coz they are not left with any other option even if they are capable of better jobs.
