Two-Day National Seminar on Exploring Labour Laws through the Indian Knowledge System and Constitutional Values [Hybrid, Kochi]
Centre for Women and Family Studies (CWFS), The National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi.About the Seminar
The Centre for Women and Family Studies (CWFS) of The National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi is organising a two-day National Seminar titled "Exploring Labour Laws through the Indian Knowledge System and Constitutional Values - Sarva Jana Hitaya and Labour Rights in India" on 8 and 9 October 2026.
The seminar aims to explore labour laws in India through the combined perspectives of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) and the constitutional vision of social justice. It examines how the ancient Indian ideal of "Sarva Jana Hitaya, Sarva Jana Sukhaya" (the welfare and happiness of all) aligns with modern labour rights and constitutional values.
NUALS is a National Law University established by Act 27 of 2005 of the Kerala State Legislature, and CWFS is one of its research centres. The seminar notice was published on the University's official notifications board on 3 August 2026.
Major Themes
- Evolution of labour rights in India
- Decent work, social justice, and inclusive growth
- Indian Knowledge System (IKS) and labour ethics
- Traditional Indian philosophies on work, duty (dharma), and welfare
- Sarva Jana Hitaya in promoting equitable treatment of workers
- Ethical principles in modern labour relations
- Constitutional commitment to social and economic justice
- Gender equality and workplace discrimination
- Child labour, bonded labour, and migrant workers
- Corporate social responsibility and worker welfare
- Labour legislations and the Labour Codes
- Protection of wages, occupational safety, social security, industrial relations, and workers' rights
- Contemporary challenges in the labour sector
- Informal sector employment
- Gig and platform workers
- Impact of globalization and technological change on employment
- Integrating IKS with modern labour governance
- Sustainable and inclusive labour policies based on constitutional morality and indigenous knowledge
- Integration of constitutional values and IKS
- Convergence of IKS, SDGs and labour rights administration and adjudication
Abstract Submission
An abstract of not less than 500 words must be submitted by email on or before 20 August 2026.
The file name of the abstract shall follow the format 'nameabs26' - for example, rimiabs26.
Intimation of acceptance of abstracts will be sent on 8 September 2026, and the last date for submission of full papers is 29 September 2026.
Poster Making Competition
A poster making competition runs alongside the paper presentations. Digital entries are to be submitted by email with the file name 'namedigpos26' - for example, rimidigpos26.
The last date for submission of digital posters is 1 October 2026.
Publication and Selection
Selected research papers will be published in an edited book with ISBN.
Paper selection is subject to AI and plagiarism detection below 15%, and final selection is subject to the expert opinion of the Review Board.
Registration Fee and Mode
The registration fee is Rs 500 (inclusive of GST).
The seminar follows a hybrid mode of presentation. The physical venue is the NUALS Campus, H.M.T. Colony P.O., Kalamassery, Kochi - 683 503, Kerala.
Highlights
- Academic sessions led by labour law experts from across India
- Hybrid mode of presentation
- Publication of selected research papers in an edited book with ISBN
- Cash prize for the Best Research Paper (first and second)
- Cash prize for the Best Digital Poster specific to the theme
How to Submit
All submissions - abstracts, full papers and digital poster entries - are to be made by email to cwfs@nuals.ac.in, using the prescribed file naming formats.
The official brochure does not prescribe a separate online registration form; email is the submission route stated by the organiser.