Article 43 of the Constitution directs the State to endeavour to secure for all workers:

Article 43 directs the State to endeavour to secure, by suitable legislation or economic organisation or in any other way, to all workers, agricultural, industrial or otherwise, work, a living wage, conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life and full enjoyment of leisure and social and cultural opportunities.

Cottage industries:

• Article 43 also directs the State, in particular, to endeavour to promote cottage industries on an individual or cooperative basis in rural areas.
• This part reflects Gandhi's ideas of village self-sufficiency and is classed among the Gandhian principles.
• The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (1956) was set up to promote such industries.

Meaning of "living wage":

• A minimum wage is the lowest wage that allows a worker to survive.
• A fair wage is higher than the minimum wage, and depends on the capacity of the industry.
• A living wage is a wage that allows a worker and his or her family to meet not only basic needs (food, clothing and shelter) but also education, health care and some comforts and amenities.
• The living wage is the highest of the three, and is an ideal to be achieved gradually.

Laws to implement Article 43:

• The Minimum Wages Act, 1948, which fixes minimum wages for workers in scheduled employments.
• The Code on Wages, 2019, which brings together several wage laws.
• Social security schemes, such as the Employees' Provident Fund and pension schemes.

Classification:

Article 43 combines socialist ideas (living wage, decent standard of life) with Gandhian ideas (cottage industries).

Importance:

Article 43 aims at the economic welfare of workers, and at reducing inequality between workers and owners.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Equal pay for equal work, participation in management, and free and compulsory education are dealt with by other provisions.