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Our Research Center

The Centre for Advanced Studies in Labour Welfare (CASLW) has been established by Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab in association with International Justice Mission (IJM), an International Non-Governmental Organisation based in Washington D.C., United States of America on 1st September 2012.

This Centre has been established with a view to improve and strengthen the Labour Justice System in India. It strives to uphold and protect the rights of the labourers and their families thereby ensuring them a life of human dignity. The Centre also makes an effort to sensitize the labourers about their rights, which are enshrined in the Constitution of India and other legislations as well. In addition to it, the Centre makes an effort to impart education to the children of labourers in the University campus and makes them aware about their fundamental right to education thereby, making their parents realize their duty towards their children.

The basic aim behind the establishment of the Centre is to spread awareness about the welfare and empowerment of the labourers. Besides, the Centre organizes workshops, seminars and essay writing competitions on the problems of labourers of organized and unorganised sector. The Centre also recognizes the national and international issues concerning the promotion and protection of human rights and human dignity of labourers.

Centre Overview & Academic Mandate

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The Centre for Advanced Studies in Labour Welfare (CASLW) at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab (RGNUL, Punjab) promotes scholarly research, policy advocacy, and community outreach. The Centre bridges academic legal theory and practical socio-economic reform through statutory research, high-level institutional collaborations, and grassroots awareness drives.

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National Academic Competitions & Student Outreach

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  • National Essay Writing Competition (2017) — Theme: "De-structuring Poverty: Prosecuting Violence to Give Justice a Chance"

    • Examined the interplay between economic vulnerability, institutional violence, and procedural justice for underprivileged communities.

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  • National Essay Writing Competition (2018) — Theme: "Exploitation of Labour: Socio-Legal Aspects"

    • Critically evaluated statutory gaps, informal sector vulnerabilities, and constitutional protections governing worker rights.

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  • QUIZLEX ’18 (September 11, 2018)

    • Hosted an institutional legal tournament at RGNUL to test and enhance scholars' mastery over constitutional and labour jurisprudence.

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Institutional Seminars & Capacity-Building Programs

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  • Right to Information: A Tool for Transparency and Accountability (March 3, 2018)

    • Collaborator: Punjab State Information Commission.

    • Assessed the role of RTI in improving administrative oversight, curbing institutional corruption, and enforcing citizen rights.

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  • Rights of Women: Issues and Challenges (September 28, 2019)

    • Collaborator: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

    • Addressed workplace gender discrimination, informal sector safeguards, and institutional remedies against systemic violence.

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  • IPR in Global Economy: Issues and Challenges (October 11, 2019)

    • Collaborator: Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

    • Explored patent harmonization, technology transfer, and international trade regulation within developing legal markets.

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Community Outreach & Field Advocacy

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  • Child Labour Eradication Campaign (October 16, 2019 — Play Ways School, Patiala)

    • Conducted a field advocacy drive highlighting statutory mandates under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act and constitutional guarantees to free education.

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  • SHRAMVAAD Legal Consultancy Initiative

    • Institutional Collaboration: Executed in partnership with the Punjab State Legal Services Authority (PULSA).

    • Empirical Study on Labor Compliance: Conducted wide-scale field research in Patiala assessing statutory adherence under the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act.

    • Focus Area: Mapped statutory invisibility, lack of registration, and absence of social security safeguards among street vendors and unorganized workers to inform legal aid initiatives.

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Research Publications & Scholarly Newsletters

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  • Volume I, Issue 2 (December 2015)

    • Documented global labour trends, analyzed regulatory updates by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), and recorded legal awareness drives.

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  • Volume II, Issue 2

    • Curated winning scholarship from national essay competitions and detailed student legal aid field insights from internships with the International Justice Mission (IJM).

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  • Volume III, Issue 3

    • Tracked judicial precedents in industrial relations law, compliance reforms, and human rights enforcement experiences at IJM.

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  • Volume IV, Issue 1 — Special Edition: "Labour and Liberty: Women Empowerment"

    • Analyzed female workforce participation, wage equality reforms, and legislative protections across informal sectors.

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Leadership

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  • Centre Coordinator: Dr. Shiva Satish Sharda, Assistant Professor of Law

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