Employment laws are primarily designed to protect which of the following?

Employment laws are primarily designed to protect employees' rights and interests. This framework encompasses a wide range of protections including fair wages, safe working conditions, freedom from discrimination and harassment, and the right to organize and bargain collectively. These laws establish minimum standards intended to ensure that employees are treated fairly and equitably within the workplace. By focusing on protecting workers, employment laws aim to balance the power dynamics between employers and employees, creating a more just and safe working environment.

While options such as protecting organizations from competition or shielding employers from lawsuits may be relevant in specific contexts, they do not represent the fundamental purpose of employment law, which centers on safeguarding the well-being and rights of employees. Similarly, while government regulations may oversee and enforce the application of these laws, the primary focus remains on the welfare of employees, which is what distinguishes the correct answer.