Labour Activism, Social Struggle And Social Movements- Its Relevance In Organising Unorganized Workers
- IJLLR Journal
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
Sangam Kumari, Central University of South Bihar
ABSTRACT
Labour Activism, Social Struggles and Social Movements had always played a significant role in protecting the rights and dignity of worker specially for those who works in unorganized sectors. In India, a large number of workers are engaged in informal sector where workers often face low wages, unsafe working conditions, lack of job security, lack of social security and limited legal protection. In these kinds of situations, labour activism and collective social struggles become important weapon for raising awareness, demanding justice and ensuring the implementation of labour rights. These movements not only provide a platform for workers to raise their voice but it also helps the workers in building collective bargaining power among the marginalized labourers.
The relevancy of labour activism, social struggles movements has increased in organising unorganized workers due to rapid expansion of gig economy, migration, privatization and industrialization, etc. Unorganized workers such as domestic workers, agricultural labourers, street vendors, construction workers and platform-based workers, they often remain outside the ambits of formal labour laws protection. These social movements become essentials in mobilizing these workers and in demanding recognition, fair wages, social security benefits and safer working conditions. These struggles have also contributed to the enactment of welfare legislations and other reforms which at improving the lives of vulnerable workers.
Furthermore, labour movements are not only the economic struggles but are deeply connected with the issues of social justice, equality and human rights. They challenge the exploitative structure of the society and seeks to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect. In Indian context, movements such as the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), Safai Karamchari Andolan (SKA) and various other nationwide labour protest shows that how collective action can empower unorganised workers and strengthen democratic participation.
Therefore, labour activism, social struggles and social movements are continue to remain a highly relevant in addressing the challenges faced by unorganized workers and in promoting inclusive and equitable labour governance in modern society.
