Background

Access to legal protections and justice is a fundamental human right, one that is guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. For instance, the Payment of Wages Act (1936) and the Minimum Wages Act (1948) are, on paper, excellent legal protection. However, a significant portion of India’s population, particularly the labor force in the informal sector, is left unaware of their entitlements to aid and protection. This coupled with their vulnerability to exploitation leaves them especially in need of legal assistance. For instance, daily wage laborers, domestic workers, and other informal sector workers often face challenges like unfair wages, unsafe working conditions, and lack of the means to seek legal recourse. Exacerbating this, these labor groups are also left to advocate for themselves due to a sharp lack of accessible legal resources, particularly representation. 

This gap in legal awareness and the lack of legal aid or resources naturally leads to the perpetuation of cycles of poverty and social injustice. Fair Work Foundation was established with the mission to bridge these gaps by increasing access to legal aid for these marginalized communities, focusing on employment law and awareness of constitutional rights.