tion which is less than the minimum wage, the labour or service pro­ vided by him clearly falls within the meaning of the words “forced labour ” and attracts the condemnation of article 23. Every person who provides labour or service to another is entitled at the least to the minimum wage and if anything less than the minimum wage is paid to him, he can complain of violation of his fundamental right under article 23 and ask the Court to direct payment of the minimum wage to him so that the breach of article 23 may be abated. (AIR 1983 (ISCALE) 38 at pp. 43-44) 53. Any contravention of the provision prohibiting forced labour is punishable under and in accordance with the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. In addition, the Indian Penal Code provides for punish ­ ment of a person engaging in unlawful compulsory la­ bour of any person against his will, and treats the of­ fence as cognizable. The Indian Penal Code makes the offence of kidnapping or abducting any person for sub­ jecting him to slavery as a cognizable offence by the State, and prescribes that whoever engages in such an offence, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description up to 10 years and also fine. Further, who­ ever habitually imports, exports, removes, buys, sells, traffics or deals in slaves could be punished with im­ prisonment even for life. Similarly, whoever buys or disposes of any person as a slave is punishable. 54. In order that prohibition of forced or compul ­ sory labour be implemented, the Constitution also abol­ ished untouchability which was a heinous offshoot of caste system. This matter is also governed by the Un­ touchability (Offences) Act of 1955 and the Protection of Civil Rights Act.
**Analysis**
The text discusses the prohibition of forced labor, the minimum wage, and the punishment for engaging in such practices. It also mentions the abolition of untouchability, which is a social issue related to employment and human rights. This suggests that the text is primarily concerned with employment and labor rights, as well as social issues.

**Category**
Employment, Humanitarian aid and relief