The Equal Remuneration Act is a gift of "the International Women's Year" to women workers. It is enacted to give effect to the provision of Article 39 of the Constitution of India which contains a directive principle of equal pay for equal work for both men and women. The Act provides for the payment of equal remuneration to men and women workers for the same work or work of a similar nature and for the prevention of discrimination on the ground of sex against women in the matter of employment. The main provisions of the Act are as follows

 APPLICABILITY

Applies to "establishments" and 'employment' form the date this Act came into force to such employment and establishment and establishments to men and women workers. Does not apply when special treatment is given to women on account of any law, in respect of child birth, marriage death and retirement [Section 2(6) & Section 4]

 EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK: No employer shall pay to any worker employed by him remuneration at rates less favourable than those at which remuneration is paid by him to the workers of the opposite sex for performing the same work or work of similar nature. [Section 4(1)]

 NO DISCRIMINATION TO BE MADE WHILE RECRUITING MEN AND WOMEN: No employer shall make any discrimination against women while making recruitment for the same work or work of a similar nature. (Section 5)