Devaluation of Labour Rights: An Empirical Perspective on Increasing Contractualisation of Work in India’s Manufacturing Sector

Abstract

There is increasing contractual hiring since the economic reforms of 1991 which led to the subsequent vague implementation of labour laws in factories, resulting in a detrimental impact on labour rights. It makes the understanding of the on-going contractualisation of work and the impact on labour rights critical for the protection of human rights at workplace. This study uses inductive methodology for analysis grounded on secondary data and literature review. The secondary data is drawn from publicly available reports of national and international agencies. Findings of the study suggested economic and labour reforms played a considerable role in contractulisation of work and followed by the adverse impact on labour rights and dignity of work. Extensive use of contractual labour has led to massive devaluation in working conditions, making worker’s situations highly vulnerable and informal caused by non-attendance of labour rights. This process of contractualisation of work in sweatshops has expedited the dehumanisation of labour while weakening labour rights in India.