Goa Board Class 8 Solutions for Civics – Law and Social Justice (English Medium)
Page No. 131:
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.
Solution :
As the answers may vary, please attempt this question on your own with the help of your subject teacher or elders.
Question 2:
What are the advantages to foreign companies in setting up production in India?
Solution :
Foreign companies gain a lot of advantages by setting up production in India. These are
- Cheap labour, i.e. wages the companies pay in developed countries is far more than wages they pay in developing countries.
- For lower pay, companies can get additional hours of work.
- The companies can save costs and earn higher profits.
- Companies cut costs by including lower working conditions that consist of lower safety measures.
- Companies take advantage of the workers’ vulnerability because one worker can easily replace another.
- Because of much unemployment, many workers are willing to work in unsafe conditions in return for a wage. Hence, this also helps them in cutting costs.
Question 3:
Do you think the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy got justice? Discuss.
Solution :
No, the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy did not get justice. The reasons are
- There continues to be chronic health problems today.
- Cancer, blindness, respiratory difficulties, immune and neurological disorders, female reproductive disorders as well as birth defects among children born to affected women are still persistent.
- Cases against the guilty are still pending in courts.
- The Chairman of Union Carbide is still at large, instead of being prosecuted.
- Union Carbide has paid only a measly $470 million for this catastrophe, instead of $3 billion asked.
- Safe drinking water for healthcare facilities and jobs for people are still lacking.
Question 4:
What do we mean when we speak of law enforcement? Who is responsible for enforcement? Why is enforcement so important?
Solution :
Law enforcement is referred to as a subsystem of society that promotes adherence to the law by discovering and punishing persons who violate the rules and norms governing that society.
The government is responsible for the enforcement of law.
Enforcement is important because the rights of the citizens have to be protected. It also becomes more necessary to have stronger laws because more Indian and foreign industries are being set up. In addition, it is very important to safeguard our environment.
Question 5:
How can laws ensure that markets work in a manner that is fair? Give two examples to support your answer.
Solution :
Laws ensure that markets work in a fair manner by protecting the people from unfair practises. The two examples are
- Child Labour Prevention Act: This law states that no child below the age of 14 years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engage in any other hazardous employment.
- Right against Exploitation: This law states that no one can be forced to work for low wages or under bondage.
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.
Solution :
As the answers may vary, please attempt this question on your own in the classroom with the help of your subject teacher.
Question 7:
Write a paragraph on the various roles of the government that you have read about in this unit.
Solution :
The various roles of the government we have read in this unit are
- Makes law on minimum wages.
- Makes law on protecting the interests of producers and consumers in the market.
- Providing public facilities such as water supply, sanitation, healthcare services etc.
- Enacting laws against child labour.
- Enforcing laws regarding adequate safety measures for workers.
- Upholding laws regarding safeguarding of the environment.
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?
Solution :
The answers may vary. A sample answer is provided.
The sources of environmental pollution:
Air: Vehicles, industries, power stations
Water: Chemicals, latrines, industries throwing wastes
Soil: Garbage disposal, industrial effluents
Steps taken to reduce pollution are
- Banning the use of dangerous and unsafe substances.
- Safe disposal of waste materials.
- Limited use of non-renewable resources.
- Increasing the use of renewable resources.
- Recycling of used materials.
- Curative measures to improve the quality of degraded materials.
Question 9:
How was the environment treated earlier? What has been the change in perception? Discuss.
Solution :
- The environment in earlier days was treated as a ‘free entity’.
- Industries polluted the air and water without any restrictions.
- No precaution was taken to keep the environment clean.
- The government paid no attention to safeguard the environment.
However, with times, the perception has changed for good. The Indian government introduced new laws to protect the environment. The government also holds the polluter responsible for damaging the environment. Several judgements have upheld the right that a healthy environment is intrinsic to the Fundamental Right to Life.
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 2006 law that you read about on page 125?
Solution :
The cartoonist R. K. Laxman is trying to show the hypocrisy shown by people. The image shows a mother complaining about how the school is making her child suffer by carrying heavy books. However, she herself has hired a small boy as a servant to carry those heavy books, which according to her is normal.
The image also shows how we ourselves are responsible for an increase in child labour and are insensitive to the needs of others.
It relates to the 2006 law on Child Labour Prevention Act mentioned on page 123, as this law has banned children less than 14 years of age from working as domestic servants or as workers in dhabas, restaurants, tea shops, homes etc.
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 Bhopal gas tragedy for your classroom. Invite the whole school to see and talk about it.
Solution :
As the answers may vary, please attempt this question on your own with the help of your subject teacher.