The Constitution of India has numerous welfare provisions for social security of the weaker section of the society. Entry 24 in list III of schedule VII provides for "Welfare of Labour, including conditions of work, provident funds, liability for workmen's compensation, invalidity and old age pension and maternity benefits. Item No. 9 of the State List and item 20, 23 and 24 of Concurrent List relates to old age pension, social security and social insurance, and economic and social planning. Further, Article 41 of Directive Principles of State Policy deals with the State's role in providing social security to the unemployed, aged, sick, disabled and other unprivileged class of people. Article 39A of the Constitution envisages that the State should provide free legal aid by legislation or schemes or in any other way to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities. Article 42 of the Constitution provides that the State shall make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief. The provisions of Article 43 envisages that the State shall secure, secure, by suitable legislation or economic organization or in any other way, to all workers agricultural, industrial or otherwise, work, a living wage, conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life and full enjoyment of leisure and social and cultural opportunities.
