Labour Law

Centre tells Supreme Court that an expansive definition of "industry" could impose disproportionate obligations on employers and discourage private sector participation

Nearly 75 per cent of companies expect a rise in structured fixed-term employment as companies respond to the implementation of new labour codes, signalling a shift towards greater workforce formalisation, according to a report. The shift toward workforce formalisation is becoming increasingly evident, as an overwhelming 75 per cent of respondents anticipate greater adoption of structured fixed-term employment as a strategic response to the new labour codes, HR solutions provider Genius HRTech said in the report. This signals a decisive movement toward more formal, compliant, and documented employment arrangements, it added. In November 2025, the government consolidated and implemented 29 Central labour laws into four comprehensive codes - Wages, Industrial Relations, Social Security, and Occupational Safety, to simplify compliance, modernise regulations, and enhance worker welfare. The report by Genius HRTech is based on inputs from 1,459 companies during January 2026 across secto

The second of the two-part series looks at working hours, employer responsibilities and compliance

The first of a two-part series on labour Codes looks at wage definition, compliance challenges, and the road ahead

The Supreme Court has referred the scope of the term "industry" under labour law to a nine-judge Bench, which will revisit a 1975 ruling and assess the effect of later legislative developments

Companies are expected to continue salary hikes despite higher costs from new labour codes, but sectors like IT may see slightly lower increments due to margin pressure

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a PIL seeking a comprehensive legal framework and enforcement of minimum wages for domestic workers, saying it cannot issue a writ asking the Centre and states to consider amending existing laws. The top court also observed that trade unionism has been largely responsible for stopping the industrial growth in the country. "How many industrial units in the country have been closed thanks to trade unions? Let us know the realities. All traditional industries in the country, all because of these 'jhanda' unions have been closed, all throughout the country. They don't want to work. These trade union leaders are largely responsible for stopping industrial growth in the country," Chief Justice Surya Kant said. "Of course exploitation is there, but there are means to address exploitation. People should have been made more aware of their individual rights, people should have been made more skilled, there were several other reforms which ...

As gig workers protest pay and conditions, platforms, consumers, policymakers must rethink convenience, tipping culture and humane work practices to ensure growth does not come at the cost of dignity

Statutory impact of new labour codes, AI-led restructuring costs and a large legal provision weighed on TCS's Q3 FY26 profitability

India's new labour codes promise simplification, but for MSMEs the transition could mean higher wage bills and tougher compliance - unless strong handholding follows

Draft rules under the new Labour Codes set minimum work-day criteria for gig workers to access social security benefits, prompting unions to seek clarity on eligibility and safeguards

Draft rules under India's four Labour Codes clarify wages and gratuity calculations, extend social security, but smaller firms still face implementation concerns

Companies must recognise higher gratuity and leave liabilities under new labour codes as expenses in interim financial results for the period ending December 31, 2025

After a long wait of five years, the government has set in motion the four labour codes, which will be fully operationalised in 2026 with publication of rules ensuring minimum wage and universal social security for all workers in the country. The labour ministry has also planned to bring in EPFO 3.0 version in 2026, which will ensure speedy withdrawal of employees' provident fund as well as fixation of pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 and insurance claims under Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme 1976. Talking to PTI, Union Labour & Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said 2025 has been truly transformative for India's labour and employment ecosystem, marked by reforms that place workers at the centre of governance. A defining landmark of the year was the coming into effect of the four Labour Codes from November 21, 2025, modernising and consolidating 29 labour laws into a simplified, contemporary framework, he noted. "Looking ahead to 2026, the focus will

Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday dismissed concerns that the recently enforced labour codes would encourage hire & fire and inspector raj, and said the new laws will formalise employment while inspectors will be facilitators. Under the new codes, government permission is not required for layoff, retrenchment and closure of units with workers' strength of up to 300. Earlier, units with up to 100 workers did not require such permission. Addressing the Times Network India Economic Conclave, Mandaviya said, "We have formalised employment in the country with increasing the number of workers to 300 per unit, which was earlier 100." Earlier employers used to provide formal employment to 100 workers to avoid legal hassles and the rest were employed informally, he said. He said new codes have formalised employment of the left-out workers and they will get all benefits that an enrolled employee gets. On concerns about encouraging inspector raj by increasing compliance burden, .

Former labour secretary, Sumita Dawra, decodes the new labour codes, in a conversation with Nivedita Mookerji, executive editor, Business Standard, and AK Bhattacharya, editorial director,

In July 2024 the group's logistics services unit was accused of circumventing labour and tax laws

It's a relief that the four new labour laws that New Delhi has brought in, after delaying them for five years for fear of political backlash, haven't gone that far

The Centre has notified implementation of four labour codes, including new provisions for gig workers. But definitions, enforcement capacity and state rules may decide how far benefits reach

Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said draft rules under four new labour codes will be pre-published soon, with full implementation and social security coverage expected by April 2026