The Government of India has made all four Labour Codes, the Code on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Code on Social Security (2020), and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020) effective from 21 November 2025, replacing 29 existing labour laws.
These transformative reforms streamline labour regulations, guarantee minimum wages and timely payments for all workers, extend social security to gig and platform workers, mandate free annual health check-ups, and ease compliance through single registration, single licensing, and simplified returns.
The Codes allow women to work across all sectors including night shifts and hazardous industries subject to safety measures, ensure equal pay and non-discrimination, and expand ESIC coverage nationwide. Fixed-term employees gain benefits equal to permanent staff, including gratuity after one year, while MSME, plantation, digital media, mining, textile, and export-sector workers receive enhanced protections and welfare measures.
The reforms aim to formalise employment, strengthen worker safety, improve working conditions, and build a future-ready labour ecosystem aligned with global standards advancing India’s journey toward a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive workforce under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Read more details:
Social Security, 2020
Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2022