Law and Social Justice Class 8 Worksheet Civics Chapter 10

Q.1. What does the right against exploitation state?

The Right against Exploitation says that no one can be forced to work for low wages or under bondage.

Q.2. Why are companies and contractors able to violate environmental laws?

Companies and contractors are able to violate environmental laws because these laws are not strictly enforced.

Q.3. Who sets the minimum wages?

The Minimum Wages Act 1948 is an Act of Parliament concerning Indian labour law that sets the minimum wages that must be paid to skilled and unskilled labours.

Q.4. Can you suggest some ways in which enforcement can be improved?

Ways to improve the enforcement
(i) Recruitment of adequate number of enforcement staff
(ii) Anyone found violating the law must be penalised with a strict punishment

Q.5. What are the three basic rights of workers?

Basics rights of workers are:
(i) Right to work
(ii)  Right to a fair wage
(iii) Decent work conditions

Q.6. How can the government ensure social justice?

Through making, enforcing and upholding the laws, the government can control the activities of individuals or private companies so as to ensure social justice. Many of these laws have their basis in the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.

Q.7. Why do you think enforcement of safety laws is important in any factory?

Enforcement of safety laws is important in any factory for the safety of the workers and general public. As the lawmaker and enforcer, the government is supposed to ensure that safety laws are implemented. It is also the duty of the government to ensure that the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution is not violated.

Q.8. How can the government meet the challenges where everyone can benefit from the clean environment?

One way this can be done is to gradually move to cleaner technologies and processes in factories. The government has to encourage and support factories to do this. It will need to fine those who pollute. This will ensure that the workers livelihoods are protected and both workers and communities living around the factories enjoy a safe environment.

Q.9. A ‘clean environment is a public facility.’ Can you explain this statement?

The environment is something that people over generations will share, and it could not be destroyed merely for industrial development. The courts also gave a number of judgments upholding the right to a healthy environment as intrinsic to the Fundamental Right to Life. It includes the right to the enjoyment of pollution-free water and air for full enjoyment of life.

Q.10. What are the reasons for the sharp differences in safety standards between the two Union carbide factories in the USA and India?

In India, one worker can easily replace another. Since there is so much unemployment, there are many workers who are willing to work in unsafe conditions in return for a wage. Making use of the workers’ vulnerability, employers ignore safety in workplaces. Thus, there were the sharp differences in safety standards between the two Union carbide factories in the USA and India.

Q.11. Do you think the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy got justice? Discuss.

No, the victims of Bhopal gas tragedy did not get justice. The company which owned this factory- union carbide refused to accept the responsibility of its actions. They got away by paying a small compensation to the survivors. Most of those exposed to the poison gas came from poor, working-class families, of which nearly 50,000 people are today too sick to work. Among those who survived, many developed severe respiratory disorders, eye problems and other disorders. Children developed peculiar abnormalities.

Q.12. Write a short note on Child Labour Prevention Act.

According to the 2001 census, over 12 million children in India aged between 5 and 14 work in various occupations including hazardous ones. In October 2006, the government amended the Child Labour Prevention Act, banning children under 14 years of age from working as domestic servants or as workers in dhabas, restaurants, tea shops etc. It made employing these children a punishable offence. Anyone found violating the ban must be penalised with a punishment ranging from a jail term of three months to two years and/or fine of Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000.

Q.13. What are the advantages to foreign companies in setting up production in India?
Or
Why did Union Carbide set up its plant in India?

Advantages to foreign companies in setting up production in India are:
Cheap Labour - India provides cheap labour compare to some other countries.  Wages that the companies pay to workers, say in the U.S.A., are far higher than what they have to pay to workers in poorer countries like India. For lower pay, companies can get longer hours of work. Additional expenses such as for housing facilities for workers are also fewer. Thus, companies can save costs and earn higher profits.
Cost Cutting - Cost cutting can also be done by other more dangerous means. Lower working conditions including lower safety measures are used as ways of cutting costs.

Q.14. How was environment treated earlier? What has been the change in perception? Discuss.

There were very few laws protecting the environment in India, and the there was hardly any enforcement of these laws. The environment was treated as a ‘free’ entity and any industry could pollute the air and water without any restrictions. Whether it was our rivers, air, groundwater - the environment was being polluted and the health of people disregarded. Now there has been the change in perception. Indian government introduced new laws on the environment. Henceforth, the polluter was to be held accountable for the damage done to environment. The courts also gave a number of judgments upholding the right to a healthy environment as intrinsic to the Fundamental Right to Life.

Q.15. Write a paragraph on the various roles of the government that you have read about in this unit.

The government plays a large number of roles in any state. This includes providing public facilities like water supply, healthcare and sanitation and ensuring that these amenities are not overtaken by private enterprises; the government also plays a pivotal role in law enforcement, which is of utmost importance in the economic sector. The government makes laws to protect workers in production factories- laws on minimum wages, controlling working conditions and safety measures. It also makes laws for markets that protect consumers against over-pricing and sub-standard products. The government has a law against child labour and it also punishes organizations that do not follow policies put in place to protect the environment against pollution.