Labor relation is a broad category that takes into account the working relationships between labor unions, employees, independent workers and the government. It is through labor relations that many of the labor laws in pace today where formed. Labor relations led to safer and healthy workplaces and affirmative action to help fight job discrimination practices. Labor relations also formed the 40-hour workweek and overtime laws. In addition, they helped cap child labor and child labor abuses. Labor relations assisted in the forming of pension plans, health insurance for workers and their families and severance packages. While trade unions were the major voices in giving more power to the worker in the workplace, it has been the government who has put into place many of the laws and accompanying enforcement agencies that guarantee a worker's rights are not violated. Labor relations always play a key role in how an economy functions.