Law and Social Justice class 8 questions and answers: Class 8 Political Science chapter 8 question answer
| Textbook | Ncert |
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | Civics |
| Chapter | Chapter 8 |
| Chapter Name | Law and Social Justice class 8 ncert solutions |
| Category | Ncert Solutions |
| Medium | English |
Are you looking for Class 8 Civics chapter 8 question answer? Now you can download Law and Social Justice class 8 questions and answers pdf from here.
Question 1: Talk to two workers (For example, construction workers, farm workers, factory workers, workers at any shop) to find out if they are receiving the minimum wages laid down by law.
Answer 1: To understand the implementation of minimum wage laws, I spoke with two workers: Raj, a construction worker, and Meena, a farm worker.
Raj (Construction Worker): Raj shared that he does not always receive the legally mandated minimum wage. Despite working long hours in a physically demanding and risky job, he is often underpaid. He feels that his wages do not reflect the effort he puts in.
Meena (Farm Worker): Meena, who works on a farm, also reported earning less than the legal minimum wage. Her work is labor-intensive, yet her employer does not pay her fairly. Due to her low income, she struggles to meet her daily expenses.
These conversations highlight that minimum wage laws are not always enforced in practice. Many workers, like Raj and Meena, continue to face wage exploitation, pointing to the need for stronger implementation and oversight of labor laws.
Question 2: What are the advantages to foreign companies in setting up production in India?
Answer 2: India provides cheap labour compared to some other countries. Wages paid to workers in foreign countries are much higher than in India. For lower pay, foreign companies can get long hours of work. Additional expenses such as housing facilities for workers are also fewer in India. Thus, foreign companies can save costs and earn higher profits.
Question 3: Do you think the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy got justice? Discuss.
Answer 3: The victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy have not got justice even after 28 years of Bhopal Gas Tragedy on December 2, 1984. Even today 50,000 people are too sick to work. Many of them have developed severe respiratory disorders, eye-problems and other disorders. Even today many factories, workshops mines are running without proper safety measures.
Question 4: What do we mean when we speak of law enforcement? Who is responsible for enforcement? Why is enforcement so important?
Answer 4: Law enforcement means the implementation of law. Government is responsible for enforcement. Enforcement is important when the law seeks to protect the people belonging to the weaker sections from those who are strong and powerful.
Enforcement is important to ensure that every worker gets fair wages. When workers are poor or powerless, the fear of losing future earnings or facing reprisals forces them to accept low wages. Employers use this as a tool to pay workers less than a fair wage. In such cases, it is crucial that the laws are enforced.
Question 5: How can laws ensure that markets work in a manner that is fair? Give two examples to support your answer.
Answer 5: Law is a very important factor to control the market. Everything can’t be left free to decide the market situation. For example, it is very essential that Minimum Wages Act of workers must be enacted. Without this Act, private companies, traders, business community and factory owners would normally pay very less to the workers to make maximum profit.
Due to Minimum Wages Act, the employer cannot pay less than the Minimum Wages. The interests of the consumer and producers are also protected in a market by laws. These laws ensure the proper relations that exist between workers, producers and consumers and none is in a position to exploit the other. In this way, laws ensure that markets work in a manner that is fair.
Question 6: Imagine yourself to be a worker working in a chemical factory, which has received orders from the government to move to a different site 100 kms away from the present location. Write about how your life would change? Read out your responses in the classroom.
Answer 6: Impact of Relocation on a Worker in a Chemical Factory:
- Uprooted Routine Daily commute becomes impossible; must relocate or travel 3–4 hours daily, draining time and energy.
- Family Disruption Forced to move family: kids change schools, spouse may quit their job. Social ties in the current community break.
- Financial Strain Relocation costs (new rent, deposits) or increased fuel/travel expenses. Uncertainty about government/factory support.
- Housing Challenges Struggle to find affordable housing near the new site. Risk of overcrowded or unsafe living conditions.
- Job Insecurity Fear of layoffs during transition. Uncertainty about retaining roles, benefits, or seniority at the new facility.
- Environmental Adjustments Adapting to a new workplace layout, safety protocols, or unfamiliar local environment (e.g., lack of healthcare facilities).
- Community Impact Original town suffers economically as workers leave; new site faces sudden population influx, straining resources.
- Hope for Better Facilities? Possible silver lining: New factory might have modern equipment, better safety standards, or career growth opportunities.
Question 7: Write a paragraph on the various roles of the government that you have read about in this unit.
Answer 7: The government plays the following roles:
- Providing public facilities like healthcare, sanitation and water supply ensures that these are not overtaken by private enterprises.
- Enforcing the laws against child labour.
- Fixing minimum wages for workers and revising it from time to time.
- Enforcing laws regarding safety at the workplace.
- Enforcing laws regarding the safety of the environment.
- Protecting the interests of consumers against overpricing and standard products.
- Punishing organisations which do not follow policies to protect the environment against pollution.
Question 8: What are the sources of environmental pollution in your area? Discuss with respect to (a) air; (b) water and (c) soil. What are the steps being taken to reduce the pollution? Can you suggest some other measures?
Answer 8: Sources of Environmental Pollution in My Area:
- Air Pollution: Major sources include vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, and dust from construction activities.
- Water Pollution: Contamination comes from untreated sewage, industrial discharges, and agricultural runoff.
- Soil Pollution: Caused by improper disposal of waste and the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Current Steps: Government and local authorities have implemented stricter emission standards, set up wastewater treatment plants, and enforced proper waste disposal regulations.
Additional Measures: Promote public transport, encourage organic farming, increase recycling programs, and enhance green cover to further reduce pollution.
Question 9: How was environment treated earlier? What has been the change in perception? Discuss.
Answer 9: Earlier, the environment was treated as an unlimited resource to be exploited for economic gain, with little regard for sustainability. Over time, growing evidence of environmental degradation and scientific research raised awareness about the finite nature of natural resources and the interconnectedness of ecosystems. This shift in perception has led to increased emphasis on conservation, sustainable development, and stricter environmental regulations to protect and restore our natural surroundings.
Question 10: What do you think the famous cartoonist R.K. Laxman is trying to convey in this cartoon? How does it relate to the 2016 law that you read about on page 103?
Answer 10: R.K. Laxman’s cartoon highlights the irony of societal attitudes toward child labour. The character criticizes the burden placed on children yet admits to employing a child to assist his own son. This exposes the hypocrisy of people who condemn child labour but still contribute to it.
The cartoon relates to the 2016 law, which bans the employment of children under 14 and restricts adolescents from hazardous work. Despite legal measures, societal attitudes remain a barrier to fully eradicating child labour. The cartoon emphasizes that real change requires not just laws but also a shift in mindset to ensure genuine implementation.
Question 11: You have read about the Bhopal gas tragedy and the on-going struggle. Students from countries across the world have come together to support this struggle for justice. From protest marches to awareness campaigns, you can read about their activities on the website www.studentsforbhopal.com. The website also has resources such as photos, posters, documentaries, victims’ statements, etc. Use this and other sources to make a wallpaper/exhibition on the Bhoal gas tragedy for your classroom. Invite the whole school to see and talk about it.
Answer 11: Students should do this exercise with the help of the sources.