“Discover the rights of labor in Islam, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and dignity and respect. Learn how these rights are protected in Islamic teachings.”
The fact that wealth is jointly produced by labour and capital is full recognized by his creatures and enjoins them to look after the interest of others like their own. But as labour is in a comparatively weaker position and his interest is likely to be jeapardised by capital, Islam takes special case to protect his rights. The Holy Prophet treated his servants as members of his family and advised his companions to treat them well. He is reported to have said “Slaves and servants should be given food and clothing according to the prevalent custom and should to be subjected to labour that they cannot bear.” c
Labour dspates arise either from wages or the nature of work; the Holy Prhphet laid stress on both these points. He often advised his companions to pay good wages to labourers.
Anas, who serve the Holy Prophet for a long time specially mentioned that the Holy Prophet neve gave low wages to any one.
It is reported that the Holy Prophet gave instruction that “the wages of a labour should paid before his sweat dried up.”
The Holy Prophet had forbidden the employment of any labour without first settling his wages.
Explaining the Rights of Labor in Islam
The Holy Prophet was very kind to the servants and whenever any of his servants was sick, i .e. would visit his house and enquire about his health. Umar the second Caliph, made it one of the duties of the government officials to look aftter the sick slaves and to visit them whenever they were sick. When umar went to Jerusalem to stone peace contract with the Christians, he and his slave rode by turns on once cannel; when they entered the gate of the city, it was the turn of the slave to ride and umar was walking on foot.
In the light of this discussion, the basic rights of labour may be summarized as follows:
- The labour is entitled to wage which enables him to enjoy a decent standard of living.
- He should be given suitable medical and when sick and paid adequate sick pay for that period. It would be most desirabk if the contribution of labour and capital towards sick pay were supplemented by government assistance.
- He should not be given anywork which is beyond his physical strength; and if at any time, he is entrusted with heavy work, he should be provided with assistance in the form of more labour or capital.
- Reasonable provisions should be made for the payment of old age pension to the labourer.
- The employers should be encouraged to spend all their sadaqat on their employees and their children.
- They should be paid unemployment insurance benefit during periods of unemployment.
- They should be paid adequate compensation for accidents during work.
- Goods manufacture in the factory should be given to them at cheaper rate.
- They should be treated gently and politely and forgiven if they make any mistake during work .
- They should be provided with decent accomodation so that their health and efficiency may not be adversely effected.
No fine can be legally imposed on a servant who is employed for any period of time on fixed wages of damaging goods unless it was proved that he did it willfully and purposely