The Protection And Empowerment Of Labour: A Critical Review Of The Regulatory Framework For Working Conditions In The Factories Act, 1948
- IJLLR Journal
- Mar 19
- 2 min read
A Mario Mishal, VIT School of Law, Chennai
Vijayendra Kumar, VIT School of Law, Chennai
ABSTRACT
The Factories Act, 19481, has long played an important role in shaping labour welfare in India by regulating the working conditions of factory workers. When it was first introduced, the focus of the Act was to protect workers from unsafe environments, long working hours, and exploitation during the early stages of industrial growth. It established several important provisions relating to health, safety, welfare, working hours, and leave, with the aim of ensuring that workers were treated fairly and worked under humane conditions. Over time, however, the idea of labour regulation has evolved. Modern labour laws are not only concerned with protecting workers but also with empowering them by promoting dignity, participation, and a better quality of working life. In this context, this research article examines the regulatory framework of working conditions under the Factories Act, 1948, and evaluates how far it meets the changing needs of today’s workforce. The study discusses the key provisions of the Act and looks at how effectively they safeguard workers while also considering whether they contribute to worker empowerment. It also reviews certain amendments, judicial interpretations, and recent labour reforms that influence the implementation of these provisions. Attention is given to the transition towards broader labour reforms such as the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code, 2020. Through this analysis, the article highlights both the achievements and limitations of the existing legal framework. While the Factories Act laid a strong foundation for worker protection, there is a growing need to strengthen enforcement and move towards a more empowerment-based approach that ensures not only safe working conditions but also greater respect for workers’ rights and well-being.
Keywords: Factories Act 1948, labour welfare, working conditions, worker empowerment, industrial safety.
