In Brief
During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, the Government of India issued an order directing all private employers to pay full wages to workers during workplace closures. Multiple employers challenged this order as unconstitutional and violating Articles 14 and 19(1)(g). The Supreme Court found the order had been withdrawn on 18.05.2020 after approximately 50 days, making substantive adjudication academic. Rather than deciding constitutionality, the Court directed employers and workers to negotiate wage settlements through labour authorities. It emphasized that both industry and labour are interdependent, and disputes should be resolved via negotiation and conciliation rather than blanket government mandates, leaving the core constitutional questions open for future adjudication if needed."
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.