Supreme Court of India

People's Union for Democratic Rights v Union of India

AIR 1982 SC 1473; (1983) 1 SCR 45619821 min read
The case in brief30-second read
Facts
A letter petition complained that workers on the Asian Games construction projects in Delhi were paid less than the minimum wage, women were paid less than men, children were employed and labour laws were ignored.
Issue
Whether the petition was maintainable and whether paying below the minimum wage violates Art.23.
Held
The petition was maintainable as public interest litigation. Labour provided for less than the minimum wage is forced labour under Art.23, since economic compulsion is a form of force. The State and its authorities were bound to enforce the labour laws against the contractors.
Principle
Paying less than the minimum wage is 'forced labour' under Art.23.
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Facts

  • A letter petition complained that workers on the Asian Games construction projects in Delhi were paid less than the minimum wage, women were paid less than men, children were employed and labour laws were ignored.

Issue

  1. Whether the petition was maintainable and whether paying below the minimum wage violates Art.23.

Held

  • The petition was maintainable as public interest litigation. Labour provided for less than the minimum wage is forced labour under Art.23, since economic compulsion is a form of force. The State and its authorities were bound to enforce the labour laws against the contractors.

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Citation

People's Union for Democratic Rights v Union of India AIR 1982 SC 1473; (1983) 1 SCR 456

Reported: https://api.sci.gov.in/jonew/judis/9882.pdf ; https://indiankanoon.org/doc/496663/. This is an educational summary, not the judgment itself. Cite the reported version in professional or academic work.