Nearly 700 million Indians live at incomes below the poverty line, defined as a calorie intake of 2400 k calories per capita per day. Only a minuscule fraction of the workforce is organised, most of which is in urban areas, leaving the rest of the working class vulnerable to blatant exploitation. As a result, closures and job losses, sub-minimum wages, bonded and slave labour, contract labour, discrimination against women and the siphoning away of money from the workers' funds characterize Indian labour.

Although Indian labour laws are amongst the best in the world, their implementation is tardy and incomplete and frustrated by corruption. Over the last five years, under the impact of globalisation, privatisation and structural adjustment, the situation is further deteriorating. Despite stiff opposition from trade unions, the government has succeeded in making major inroads into workers' rights.

Employers seem to believe that India ought to completely dismantle its system of legal protection and revert to a sweatshop situation. As a result, closures and job losses, sub-minimum wages, bonded and slave labour, contract labour, discrimination against women, lack of health and safety law enforcement, and the non-payment of workers characterises the Indian labour scene.

HRLN's work has its roots in the trade union struggle in Mumbai and the primary legal intervention was in the area of worker's rights.

Second National Labour Commission Report, 2002

“Industrial sickness in India is of massive proportions and is eating into the vitals of the economy”.

- There are 300,000 sick units.

- 92% of the workforce in unorganised sector form

- 7% (35 million) employed with regular salaries

- 45% labour illiterate

- 40 million workers officially unemployed

- National Old age Pension Scheme gives €1.39 per month

- No safety net for labour; contract labour is on the rise; encouraging a policy of hire and fire.