Workers' Union is an association of workers. Workers' unions are common in factories and offices, but we also find them in many other types of industries. The leaders of the union bargain and negotiate with the employer on behalf of its members. They deal with the issues like wages, work rules, rules concerning hiring, firing and promotion of workers, benefits and workplace safety.

The thrown out factory workers end up as small traders or as daily-wages labourers. Some of them find work in smaller production units, where the conditions of work are more exploitative and the enforcement of laws is weaker.

Developed countries are relocating their toxic and hazardous industries in developing countries in order to take advantage of the weaker laws of these countries and to keep their own countries clean and safe. South Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh and Pakistan are engaged in the recreation of the industries that produce pesticides, asbestos or processing zinc and lead.

The courts ruled out that the industries in residential areas of Delhi should close down or shift out of the city. These industries were polluting the neighbourhood and discharge from these industries was polluting river Yamuna. Moreover, these industries do not follow any rules and regulations. While the court's action solved one problem, it created another. Because of the closure of industries, many workers lost their jobs.

The power looms are small units with 4-6 looms. The private owners operate them with hired and family labour. The conditions of work in the power looms are far from satisfactory. The textile mills in Ahmedabad had faced greater competition from power looms. The majority of the textile mills were closed during 1980sand 1990sbecause of cheap and large production rate of small power looms.

The worth of an Indian worker is perceived to be low as one worker can easily be replaced by another. Since there is so much unemployment, there are many workers who are willing to work in unsafe conditions in return for low wages. Making use of the workers' vulnerability, employers ignore safety at workplaces. Thus, even so many years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, there are regular reports of accidents at construction sites, mines or factories due to the callous attitude of the employers.

The law to form worker unions/associations is necessary because by organizing themselves into unions, workers can use their combined power to demand fair wages and better working conditions. The trade unions, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members who can negotiate labour contracts with their employers. The most common aim of these organizations is to maintain or improve the working conditions of their employment.

The perceived worth of an Indian worker is low because of high population and large-scale unemployment. Here 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. Employers use this vulnerability of workers and ignore safety measures in workplaces.

The government is responsible for setting up laws and procedures that can check pollution clean rivers and introduce heavy fines for those who create pollution.

In this case, the Supreme Court held that the Right to Life is a Fundamental Right under Article 21 of the Constitution and it includes the right to the enjoyment of pollution-free water and air for full enjoyment of life.

Laws can ensure that markets work in a fair manner by 
(i) enforcing the law against black marketing by regular surprise checks to curb hoarding of items.
(ii) Anti Child Labour Act must be enforced to check exploitation of children by sealing shops and industries that employ children

Law enforcement means implemention of the laws made by the government on ground without discrimination. The government is responsible for enforcement.
Enforcement of laws is important because
(i) Rules and procedures would be flouted rampantly without it.
(ii) The Bhopal gas tragedy took place because of lax safety laws in the country

1. Construction workers do not receive the minimum wages.
2. Factory workers do get minimum wages.

They are able to violate environmental laws because there is no strict enforcement of those laws by government.

We need laws for the welfare of people and order in society.