The Intersection Of Wage Laws And The Right To Livelihood: A Critical Analysis
- IJLLR Journal
- Mar 29
- 2 min read
Dr. Harjeet Singh Bhandol, Asst. Registrar, Dept. of Cooperation, Govt. of Punjab
ABSTRACT
The Government of India has undertaken a significant restructuring of its labour law framework by consolidating 29 pre-existing statutes into four comprehensive Labour Codes. The legislative transformation reflects a deliberate effort to align labour regulation with economic and social realities of the 21st century. Among these reforms, the Code on Wages, 2019 assumes particular importance, as it seeks to universalize statutory wage protection and extend its coverage to a broader spectrum of workers. By emphasising mechanisms for ensuring minimum income security and timely payment of wages, the Code aspires to benefit millions of workers, particularly those in the unorganised sector.
The research paper undertakes a critical examination the Code on Wages within the broader constitutional framework of the Right to Livelihood – recognised as a foundational socio-economic right implicit in the Constitution of India. It traces the historical evolution of wage legislation in the country, situating the Code within the trajectory of labour law reforms aimed at ensuring fair remuneration and advancing social justice. The study further analyses the key legal innovations introduced by the Code, including the structural consolidation of wage laws, the redefinition of wage components, and the expansion of regulatory mechanisms. In addition, it evaluates the socio-economic and legal challenges arising from this reform, particularly in the context of India’s rapidly transforming labour market, marked by increasing informalization, contractualization, and the growth of gig-based employment. By examining the statutory framework alongside implementation challenges and ground realities, the paper seeks to assess whether the Code effectively strengthen livelihood security and upholds the economic dignity of workers, or whether it risks diluting protective labour standards under the pressures of market driven flexibility.
Keywords: Labour Codes, Code on Wages, Informal Sector, Gig Economy, Right to Livelihood.
