SANJIT ROY vs STATE OF. RAJASTHAN

The Supreme Court held that the Rajasthan Famine Relief Works Employees (Exemption from Labour Laws) Act, 1964, is unconstitutional as it violates Article 23 of the Constitution, which prohibits forced labor. The Court emphasized that every worker is entitled to at least the minimum wage as mandated by the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, and any payment below this threshold constitutes a violation of fundamental rights. The Court directed that the State must ensure payment of minimum wages to all workers engaged in famine relief work, reinforcing the principle that no person should be compelled to work for less than the minimum wage.