Labour law also known as employment law is the body of laws, administrative rulings, and
precedents which address the legal rights of, and restrictions on, working people and their
organizations. As such, it mediates many aspects of the relationship between trade unions,
employers and employees. In other words, Labour law defines the rights and obligations as workers,
union members and employers in the workplace. Generally, labour law covers:

⁍Industrial relations – certification of unions, labour-management relations, collective
bargaining and unfair labour practices;
⁍ Workplace health and safety;
⁍ Employment standards, including general holidays, annual leave, working hours, unfair
dismissals, minimum wage, layoff procedures and severance pay.

There are two broad categories of labour law. First, collective labour law relates to the tripartite
relationship between employee, employer and union. Second, individual labour law concerns
employees’ rights at work and through the contract for work.
The labour movement has been instrumental in the enacting of laws protecting labour rights in the 19th and 20th centuries. Labour rights have been integral to the social and economic development
since the industrial revolution.