Evolution of Industrial Legislation in India Industrial legislation in India has its roots in the colonial era, when the British government enacted various laws to regulate the working conditions, wages, and rights of the Indian labour force. Some of the earliest laws were the Factories Act of 1881, the Workmen’s Compensation Act of 1897, the Trade Disputes Act of 1908, and the Trade Unions Act of 1926. These laws were mainly aimed at protecting the interests of the British employers and maintaining social order, rather than promoting the welfare of the Indian workers. However, after the First World War, the Indian labour movement gained momentum and demanded better working conditions, higher wages, and more political rights. The Royal Commission on Labour in India (1929-31) was appointed to examine the labour problems and suggest reforms. The Commission recommended the enactment of several laws, such as the Payment of Wages Act of 1936, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act ...