CBSE Class 8 Civics  Chapter 8: Law and Social Justice

 

Introduction to Law and Social Justice

These notes of Chapter 8: Law and Social Justice, cover the entire chapter with all examples, laws, and concepts asked in CBSE Class 8 exams. Revise with textbook diagrams (Bhopal map, worker photos, consumer court structure) for better marks.

• Every day we see workers being exploited, environments getting polluted, and consumers cheated by companies, yet markets continue to work.
• To protect people from such exploitation, the government makes certain laws.
• One of the major objectives of these laws is to ensure social justice.
• Social justice means equal treatment of all citizens and protection of the weak from the powerful.

What is a Law?

• A law is a system of rules made by the government that citizens must follow.
• Laws are enforced through government agencies (police, courts, etc.).
• Laws keep changing with time according to the needs of society.

Why do we need Laws for Social Justice?

• Markets only look after the interests of the rich and powerful producers.
• Poor workers, consumers, and the environment are often exploited for more profit.
• Example: Child labour, low wages, unsafe working conditions, pollution, fake products, etc.
• Laws protect the interests of workers, consumers, and the environment and ensure dignity and justice.

Worker’s Worth Less Than a Machine? (Case Study)

• In India, many factories treat workers very badly to reduce costs and increase profit.
• Common violations:
  • Very low wages (sometimes ₹50–80 per day)
  • No fixed working hours (12–16 hours a day)
  • No weekly holidays or leave
  • Dangerous working conditions (no ventilation, fire exits, safety equipment)
  • Employment of children below 14 years
• Employers often say: “If we give high wages and good conditions, we will not be able to sell at low prices and will shut down.”
• This is exploitation of workers for private profit.

Laws to Protect Workers

1. Minimum Wages Act
   • Government fixes minimum wages for different jobs in different states and for different types of work.
   • Example (2024–25 rates vary): Delhi – unskilled ₹17,494/month, Uttar Pradesh – unskilled ₹8,500–10,000/month approx.
2. Payment of Wages Act, Factories Act, etc.
   • Wages must be paid on time, overtime must be paid extra.
3. Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 (amended 2016)
   • Children below 14 years cannot work in hazardous industries (mines, factories, bidi-making, etc.).
   • Children 14–18 years are adolescents and also banned from hazardous jobs.
4. Right to Safe Working Conditions
   • Factories must have proper ventilation, drinking water, creche if more than 30 women workers, first-aid, fire extinguishers, etc.
5. Contract Labour Laws
   • Contract workers must also get fair wages and facilities.

Enforcement of Laws – The Big Problem

• Laws exist, but they are not properly enforced.
• Reasons:
  • Lack of awareness among workers
  • Fear of losing job
  • Corruption and pressure from powerful employers
  • Shortage of inspectors (in government
• Example: In 2020–21, India had only about 8,000–9,000 factory inspectors for lakhs of factories.
• Result: Violations continue even after laws are made.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy – The Worst Industrial Disaster (1984)

• Union Carbide (American company) pesticide plant in Bhopal leaked deadly Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas on night of 2–3 December 1984.
• Immediate deaths: 3,000–4,000
• Total deaths over years: 15,000–20,000
• Lakhs of people suffered blindness, lung damage, cancer, and birth defects.
• The factory had many safety violations:
  • No proper safety systems
  • Stored huge quantities of MIC
  • Located near densely populated area
• Company paid only $470 million compensation (very less compared to damage).
• Case continued in courts for decades; CEO Warren Anderson never faced trial in India.

New Laws to Protect Environment

After Bhopal disaster, government passed stricter laws:

1. Environment Protection Act, 1986
   • Central government got power to protect and improve environment.
2. Right to Life (Article 21)
   • Supreme Court said clean environment is part of Right to Life.
3. Polluter Pays Principle
   • Whoever causes pollution must pay for cleaning and compensation.
4. Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
   • Hazardous industries must take insurance to pay immediate relief.
5. National Green Tribunal (NGT) 2010
   • Special court for fast disposal of environment cases.

Consumer Rights and Laws

Consumers are also exploited through:

• Underweight goods
• Overpricing
• Adulteration (mixing harmful things)
• Fake brands
• False advertisements

Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (COPRA)

• Replaced 1986 Act; stronger rights.
• Six consumer rights:
  1. Right to Safety
  2. Right to be Informed
  3. Right to Choose
  4. Right to be Heard
  5. Right to Seek Redressal
  6. Right to Consumer Education
• Three-tier redressal system:
  • District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (up to ₹1 crore)
  • State Commission (₹1–10 crore)
  • National Commission (above ₹10 crore)
• Consumer can file case easily; no big lawyer needed.
• Example: If a company sells expired medicine, consumer can demand replacement + compensation.

How to Make Markets Work for Social Justice

1. Strong Laws – Keep updating laws as new problems come.
2. Proper Enforcement – More inspectors, strict punishment, online complaint systems.
3. Role of Citizens – Be aware, form associations, file RTI, approach consumer courts.
4. Role of Government – Fix fair prices for essential goods, give subsidies to poor, punish violators.
5. Role of Workers & Consumers – Unite and raise voice (unions, consumer forums).

Conclusion

• Markets alone cannot ensure social justice.
• Laws are necessary to protect workers, consumers, and the environment from exploitation.
• But laws are useful only when they are properly enforced.
• Every citizen has a responsibility to demand enforcement of laws and report violations.
• Only then can we build a just and dignified society.

Important Terms to Remember

• Social Justice – Equal treatment and protection of weak sections.
• Exploitation – Taking unfair advantage of workers/consumers.
• Minimum Wages – Lowest wage government allows employer to pay.
• Hazardous Industries – Work that can harm health (chemicals, mines, etc.).
• Pollution – Contamination of air, water, soil.
• Consumer Rights – Legal rights of buyers against unfair trade practices.
• Enforcement – Making sure laws are actually followed.

Key Years

• 1984 → Bhopal Gas Tragedy
• 1986 → Environment Protection Act & Consumer Protection Act (old)
• 2016 → Child Labour Amendment
• 2019 → New Consumer Protection Act

Download pdf notes and Sulutions of the Chapter:

Chapter 1: Resources

Please Visit Readspot for Hindi Medium Study Material