EQUALITY IN EARNINGS AS A FUNDAMENTAL VALUE: INSIGHTS FROM INDIAN CASE LAW

Abstract

Social justice should include equality in earnings which is one of the key elements of constitutional values in India. The ethos of equal pay-equal work tries to avoid any unfairness in pay according to gender, caste or job ranking. Even though they are not clearly regarded as an essential right, Indian courts have also used Articles of the Constitution (Article 14, 15, 16, 39(d)) to promote wage equality. This paper looks into the role played by Indian judiciary in enhancing the idea of equality in earnings by giving historic rulings. Through doctrinal and descriptive analysis, the paper draws attention to the trends in judicial rulings, implementation hurdles, and perspectives of the constitutional values in bringing about economic justice.