Which of these is an example of a labor law?
A. A regulation against price fixing
B. A law against bid rigging
C. A minimum-wage requirement
OD. A limitation on pollution
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. A minimum-wage requirement.
Explanation:
Labor laws are regulations specifically designed to govern the relationship between employers and employees. These laws aim to ensure that workers are treated fairly, protected from exploitation, and provided with certain basic rights regarding their work conditions, compensation, and safety. Minimum wage requirements fall under this category because they set a legally mandated baseline for the amount of money employers must pay their workers for their labor.
A minimum-wage law is a key aspect of labor law because it ensures that workers receive a minimum level of income for their work, preventing exploitation or underpayment. It is enforced by government agencies, and the wage can vary depending on the country, state, or region. In the United States, for example, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 established the first national minimum wage law. This law has been amended several times over the years to adjust for inflation and the cost of living. As of now, many countries have some form of minimum wage laws in place to protect workers from earning insufficient wages.
Other Options Explained:
- A. A regulation against price fixing: This is not a labor law. Price fixing is an antitrust violation, which pertains to competition law aimed at preventing monopolies or unfair practices that harm consumers.
- B. A law against bid rigging: This is also not a labor law. Bid rigging refers to a type of fraud in which businesses collude to fix the outcome of a bidding process, and it falls under the domain of antitrust or competition law.
- D. A limitation on pollution: While environmental laws regulate pollution, these are not classified as labor laws. Pollution control laws aim to protect the environment and public health, not specifically workers’ rights or conditions.
Thus, minimum-wage requirements are the only option that directly addresses the welfare and protection of workers, making it an example of a labor law.