New Delhi, Nov 21: The centre has announced that the four Labour Codes - the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 are being made effective from today, rationalising 29 existing labour laws.
By modernising labour regulations, enhancing workers' welfare and aligning the labour ecosystem with the evolving world of work, this landmark move lays the foundation for a future-ready workforce and stronger, resilient industries driving labour reforms for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Many of India’s labour laws were framed in the pre-Independence and early post-Independence era (1930s–1950s), at a time when the economy and world of work were fundamentally different. While most major economies have updated and consolidated their labour regulations in recent decades, India continued to operate under fragmented, complex and in several parts outdated provisions spread across 29 Central labour laws.
These restrictive frameworks struggled to keep pace with changing economic realities and evolving forms of employment, creating uncertainty and increasing compliance burden for both workers and industry. The implementation of the four Labour Codes addresses this long-pending need to move beyond colonial-era structures and align with modern global trends.
Together, these Codes empower both workers and enterprises, building a workforce that is protected, productive and aligned with the evolving world of work — paving the way for a more resilient, competitive and self-reliant nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the implementation of the Four Labour Codes, describing it as one of the most comprehensive and progressive labour-oriented reforms since Independence. He said that these reforms greatly empower workers while significantly simplifying compliance and promoting ‘Ease of Doing Business.’
The Prime Minister stated that the Four Labour Codes will serve as a strong foundation for universal social security, minimum and timely payment of wages, safe workplaces and remunerative opportunities for the people, especially Nari Shakti and Yuva Shakti.
Modi further said that the reforms will build a future-ready ecosystem that protects the rights of workers and strengthens India’s economic growth. He added that they will boost job creation, drive productivity and accelerate the nation’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat.
