The Government of India has announced that the country’s labour landscape will transition to a new framework from 21 November 2025, with the enforcement of all four Labour Codes. These Codes bring together 29 existing labour laws, creating a consolidated structure covering wages, industrial relations, social security, and occupational safety.
The update outlines several key areas:
- The four Labour Codes include the Code on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Code on Social Security (2020), and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020).
- The new framework focuses on organised structures such as single registration, single licence, and single return, replacing the earlier fragmented setup.
- Digital processes, including electronic records and risk-based digital inspections, will form an integral part of the system.
- Provisions expand coverage for workers across sectors, introduce updated definitions, and include mechanisms such as inspector-cum-facilitator, time-bound inquiries, standardised definitions, and compounding of offences.
- The Codes also specify changes in areas such as wage criteria, social security access, working conditions, fixed-term employment, contract labour, grievance redressal, safety committees, accident coverage, and women’s employment conditions.
- A National Database for Unorganised Workers, travel support for migrant workers, and updated thresholds in areas like layoffs, standing orders, contractor licensing, and factory applicability are part of the notified structure.
- Across the Codes, several provisions aim to bring clarity, uniformity, updated processes, and wider worker coverage under a single, structured framework.
These changes collectively mark a significant shift in how labour-related processes will be governed across the country once the Codes are in force.
Read the full official notification for complete details → https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?id=156140&NoteId=156140&ModuleId=3