Correct Option
The correct option is Equal wages must be paid for equal work regardless of gender..
Explanation
The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, was enacted to give effect to the constitutional provision under Article 39Prohibition of women working in hazardous industries at night. of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). This article directs the State to secure that there is equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
Option Analysis:
- Equal wages must be paid for equal work regardless of gender. is Correct: The primary objective of the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, is to provide for the payment of equal remuneration to men and women workers and to prevent discrimination on the ground of sex against women in matters of employment and recruitment.
- Reservation of one-third of jobs for women in the public sector. is Incorrect: Reservation of jobs for women in the public sector is not a mandate of this specific Act. Reservations in local bodies are mandated by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts.
- Mandatory maternity leave for women in all industrial sectors. is Incorrect: Mandatory maternity leave is governed by the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (and its subsequent amendments), not the Equal Remuneration Act.
- Prohibition of women working in hazardous industries at night. is Incorrect: Provisions regarding working hours and prohibition of work in hazardous industries are typically covered under the Factories Act, 1948, and specific labor codes, rather than the Equal Remuneration Act.
Key Takeaway:
The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, is a legislative implementation of Article 39Prohibition of women working in hazardous industries at night. (DPSP), ensuring gender equality in wages for work of a similar nature.