People's Union for Democratic Rights v. Union of India

In People's Union for Democratic Rights v. Union of India, a public interest litigation was filed over labor rights violations at construction sites for the 1982 Asian Games. Workers were paid less than the statutory minimum wage, and women received unequal pay, violating the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. The Court held that the principle of “equal pay for equal work” is a constitutional mandate under Articles 14 and 21. It reaffirmed that state entities, even when engaging contractors, are obligated to enforce labor laws and take disciplinary action against violations. The judgment also broadened the scope of public interest litigation by relaxing locus standi requirements and emphasized that enforcement of labor rights forms part of fundamental constitutional protections.