Question

The Act which provides that equal wages should be paid for equal work ______________.
A.Equal Wages Act
B.Contract Labour Act
C.No Discrimination in salaries Act
D.Labour Code on Wages Act

Answer 1

Hint: The Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in Part IV of the Indian Constitution and act as guiding principles for the governance of the country. These are positive rights that enshrine citizens with aims to fulfil their socioeconomic needs unlike the Fundamental Rights which are negative in the sense that they prevent the State from doing something and act as civil and political rights of the citizens. They are non-justiciable and thus individuals cannot seek court enforcement for these rights. Equal pay for equal work is recognised in the Directive Principles of State Policy.

Complete step by step solution:
Option A: The Equal Wages Act is correct. It is also called the Equal Remuneration Act and it was enacted in 1976. The main aim of the Act is to prevent discrimination between workers based on gender. It provides for equal pay and opportunities in matters of wage-fixing, transfers, training and promotion irrespective of the individual’s gender.
Option B: The Contract Labour Act is incorrect. This Act was enacted in 1970 to provide fairer treatment and prevent exploitation of contract labourers who are not directly hired by a company but through contractors based on the work assigned.
Option C: No Discrimination in Salaries Act is incorrect because such an act does not exist.
Option D: The Labour Code on Wages Act is incorrect. The Code on Wages Act 2019 was enacted to replace the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, and the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 and compile them in this exhaustive code.

Note: On an international level, the International Labour Organisation works to ensure equal pay for equal work in all member countries and International Equal Pay Day is celebrated annually on Sept 18 by the United Nations.