Total Questions : 1
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Case Study
You have recently been appointed as a District Labour Officer in a state where tourism plays a key role in the local economy. During a routine check, you discover that a large hotel in the area has been violating the Minimum Wages Act by not paying its workers the mandated wages. The hotel owner is a powerful local political leader with strong ties to influential officials in the state. You decide to initiate a preliminary inquiry, as you have the authority to take suo-motu cognizance of such violations. However, when you approach the workers, none of them are willing to file formal complaints, fearing retaliation from the hotel management and the loss of their jobs. At the same time, your investigation catches the attention of higher authorities, who begin pressuring you to drop the inquiry, citing the hotel owner’s political influence.
This situation presents an ethical dilemma. While the violation of workers’ rights is clear, you face a conflict between your duty to uphold the law and the pressure from higher authorities to ignore the issue. The decision you make will have significant consequences, both for the workers and your career.
Questions:
(a) Identify the issues involved in this case?
(b) Evaluate the following options and suggest preferred course of action, with reasons:
1. Drop the matter as advised informally by higher authorities.
2. Persuade the hotel owner to fix the violations.
3. Submit a detailed report and seek formal directions.
4. Serve notice and begin legal action under the Minimum Wages Act.
GS Paper 4 Case Studies
