Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Flexibility in labour laws has severely impacted workers in India in the following ways:

1. Insecure employment: Workers are hired on a temporary/contract basis instead of permanently, making their jobs uncertain.
2. Loss of benefits: Workers lose entitlements like health insurance, provident fund, and paid leave that permanent workers enjoy.
3. Low wages and long hours: Workers are paid low wages and forced to work long hours and night shifts, especially during peak seasons.
4. Resembles unorganised sector: Even organised sector workers now face conditions similar to the unorganised sector, losing earlier protections.

This flexibility primarily benefits companies by reducing labour costs, while workers bear the burden.

Source: Globalisation and the Indian Economy, Chapter 4 — Impact of Globalisation / Steps to Attract Foreign Investment

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• The examiner expects 3 distinct points for 3 marks. Listing them clearly earns full marks.
• Key terms to use: temporary workers, job insecurity, loss of benefits, low wages, long working hours.
• The example of Sushila (garment worker) can be cited to support your answer — it shows real impact.
• Do not confuse "flexibility benefits companies" with "flexibility benefits workers" — the question asks about impact on workers, which is largely negative.