Just Conditions of Work and Maternity Relief
Official heading: “Provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief”
- Source edition
- The Constitution of India (as on 1 May 2026)
- Source locator
- Part IV, Article 42, printed page 22
- Last human source-link check
- Not yet checked
- Last human legal review
- Not yet reviewed
AI-assisted source comparisons are noted with the citations below; the check date remains pending until a human confirms the link. The report link opens your email app; you choose whether to send it.
1. In One Sentence
Article 42 directs the State to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.
2. What It Means in Everyday Language
Article 42 focuses on workplace dignity, health safeguards, and protections for female employees.
It directs the State to ensure that workplaces maintain humane, healthy, and safe conditions, preventing hazardous or degrading labour environments.
This article provides the constitutional foundation for statutes such as the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (and its 2017 amendments providing 26 weeks paid maternity leave), the Factories Act, 1948, and occupational safety codes.
3. Practical Illustrative Example
An expectant mother employed in an industrial enterprise applies for statutory paid maternity leave and workplace nursing breaks.
4. Important Limits, Qualifications & Exceptions
Article 42 establishes humane workplace standards and gender-specific health protections.
- Mandates both just and humane working conditions and maternity relief.
- Supports occupational safety regulations, factory workplace rules, and statutory maternity benefits.
- Courts have cited Article 42 when interpreting the right to life with dignity under Article 21.
5. Operative Constitutional Text
6. Sources & Historical Assembly Deliberations
Assembly quotations are withheld until wording, dates, and attribution have been checked against the primary record.
- •Government of India (Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice) • Part IV, Article 42, printed page 22 • Human source-link check pending
Primary PDF accessed and transcribed with AI assistance on 14 October 2026. Formatting and amendment annotation markers are omitted; operative wording is retained. This is not human legal review. Later amendments and commencement notifications have not been comprehensively checked.