GUJARAT MAZDOOR SABHA vs THE STATE OF GUJARAT

The Supreme Court examined the validity of notifications issued by the State of Gujarat under Section 5 of the Factories Act, 1948, which exempted factories from certain obligations towards workers due to the economic impact of COVID-19. The court emphasized the need to balance economic recovery with the protection of workers' rights, ultimately ruling that such exemptions cannot be justified without adequate safeguards for worker welfare. The notifications were deemed unconstitutional as they undermined the fundamental rights of workers during a public emergency.