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India has moved from 29 fragmented labour laws to 4 integrated codes designed to improve worker welfare while simplifying compliance for employers:
Code on Wages, 2019 – Unified wage definition, national floor wage, universal minimum wages, strict payment timelines, capped deductions and mandatory wage slips.
Industrial Relations Code, 2020 – Reshapes hiring–firing flexibility, dispute resolution and union relations, with higher thresholds for standing orders and smoother closure/retrenchment in certain cases.
Code on Social Security, 2020 – Extends social protection to fixed-term, gig, platform and unorganised workers, with portability of benefits across states and sectors.
OSH & Working Conditions Code, 2020 – Consolidates safety, health and welfare provisions across sectors, with mandatory safety committees and stronger compliance architecture.
This is not just consolidation; it is a structural reset of how India regulates wages, work, safety and social protection.
A defining feature of the reform is its focus on new and vulnerable workforce segments:
Fixed-Term Employees now receive parity with permanent staff, including gratuity after one year—unlocking flexible yet responsible workforce models.
Gig and platform workers are formally recognised for the first time, with aggregators contributing a share of turnover towards welfare.
Contract and MSME workers benefit from clearer accountability of principal employers for health, safety and social security, alongside guaranteed minimum wages.
Women workers gain expanded protections, family benefits and representation in grievance and safety committees.
This expands social security coverage dramatically, supporting a future‑ready and more formalised workforce aligned with India’s growth agenda.
Read more by downloading the full report below.