Here are given the notes based on the chapter “Law and Social Justice” included in Class 8 Political Science Textbook:
Main Headings
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Class 8 Chap: Law and Social Justice – Notes
Introduction
- Markets often exploit workers, consumers, and producers.
- The government enacts laws to ensure fairness and social justice.
- Laws are needed to protect people from unfair practices in workplaces, markets, and the environment.
Importance of Laws for Social Justice
- Minimum Wages Act
- Prevents exploitation by ensuring workers are paid at least a minimum wage.
- Helps laborers, construction workers, and factory workers.
- Workplace Safety Laws
- Employers must ensure proper safety measures, emergency exits, and functioning machinery.
- Protects workers from hazardous conditions.
- Consumer Protection Laws
- Ensure quality standards for food, medicines, and electrical appliances.
- Prevents health risks from substandard products.
- Price Control Laws
- Essential goods (sugar, kerosene, food grains) should be available at reasonable prices.
- Protects poor consumers from price exploitation.
- Environmental Protection Laws
- Prevents industries from polluting air, water, and land.
- Holds polluters accountable for environmental damage.
- Child Labor Prohibition
- Bans employment of children below 14 years in all occupations.
- Adolescents (14-18 years) cannot work in hazardous industries.
- Workers’ Unions & Rights
- Workers can form unions to demand fair wages and better working conditions.
2. Laws to Protect Workers
- Minimum Wages Act: Ensures that workers are not paid below a certain wage.
- Safety Laws in Workplaces: Factories must have proper safety measures like alarms, emergency exits, and well-maintained machinery.
- Workers’ Unions: Help workers demand fair wages and better working conditions.
- Child Labour Laws: Prohibit employment of children below 14 years in hazardous industries.
3. Implementation and Enforcement of Laws
- Laws alone are not enough; they must be enforced.
- Government’s Role: Regular inspections, penalties for violators, and support for affected workers.
- Challenges in Enforcement:
- Employers use loopholes to exploit workers.
- Workers fear losing jobs, so they accept unfair conditions.
4. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy – A Case Study
- Happened in 1984 at a Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India.
- A highly toxic gas leak caused thousands of deaths and long-term health issues.
- Negligence of safety laws and cost-cutting were the main reasons.
- Government’s Failure: Weak safety laws and lack of enforcement.
- Aftermath: Victims received low compensation. The issue of environmental pollution continued.
5. Environmental Protection Laws
- Before 1984, there were very few environmental laws.
- After Bhopal disaster, stricter laws were made.
- Polluter Pays Principle: Companies must compensate for environmental damage.
- Right to a Clean Environment: Courts have ruled this as part of Right to Life (Article 21).
6. Role of Government in Ensuring Justice
- Making laws: To protect people’s rights.
- Enforcing laws: Through inspections and penalties.
- Empowering citizens: Encouraging public participation in demanding justice.
Challenges in Law Enforcement
- Government often favors industries for economic benefits.
- Weak implementation results in continued worker exploitation.
- Environmental laws are violated due to corruption and lack of strict penalties.
7. Globalization and Exploitation
- Foreign companies move industries to developing countries for cheap labor and weak regulations.
- Examples: Toxic industries, ship-breaking industry.
- Workers suffer due to low wages, poor safety, and lack of social security.
Conclusion
- Laws are essential for protecting workers, consumers, and the environment.
- The government must enforce these laws to ensure social justice.
- Public awareness and activism play a crucial role in demanding stronger laws and fair enforcement.
