Indian Labour Laws

India's 12-hour workday pushes the wrong kind of capitalism forward

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

From gig workers to factories: What India's new labour codes really mean

India's overhaul merges 29 labour laws into four codes, reshaping minimum wages, gig-worker social security, industrial relations, and workplace safety through unified rules and digital compliance

Labour codes will unlock far-reaching benefits for workers: Swiggy

On-demand convenience firm Swiggy Ltd on Saturday termed the newly notified labour codes as a "transformative step" that will unlock far-reaching benefits for millions of workers. While supporting the government's vision of a modern and inclusive social security net, in a regulatory filing, Swiggy said it does not anticipate any material impact from the CoSS (the Code on Social Security, 2020) on its business sustainability, cost structure, or long-term financial performance. The government on Friday notified the four labour codes, which have rationalised 29 existing labour laws. These will formalise employment, strengthen worker protection, and make the labour ecosystem simpler, safer and globally aligned. Under the new codes, 'gig work', 'platform work', and 'aggregators' have been defined for the first time. The codes stipulate that aggregators employing gig workers must contribute 1-2 per cent of annual turnover to social security, with the total contribution not exceeding 5 per

From margins to mainstream: Gig workers finally get formal safety net

The newly notified labour codes represent a transformative and historic reform for India's gig economy, finally bringing this vast segment of workers under formal regulatory recognition and social security. For the delivery partner dropping off groceries or the driver navigating city traffic, this move signals the end of legal invisibility, transitioning them from the fringes of the "unorganised" sector into a formal social security net. The introduction of uniform employment rights, mandatory appointment letters, and access to benefits such as provident funds, ESIC, and insurance has laid a new foundation for stability and predictability for millions of gig and platform workers across India, experts say. However, the implementation poses operational challenges owing to the fluid and varied nature of gig work, requiring robust compliance mechanisms and behavioural adaptations from both platform companies and workers. "For the first time, this rapidly expanding segment of the ...

Dialogue among employers, workers key as labour codes take effect: ILO DG

International Labour Organization Director-General Gilbert F Houngbo has said social dialogue among government employers and workers will remain essential as the labour codes are implemented to ensure they are positive for workers and business. In a post on X, he said: "Following with interest developments of India's new Labour Codes announced today, including on social protection & minimum wages." In a landmark overhaul of labour laws, the government on Friday notified all four labour codes, ushering in major reforms, including universal social security coverage for gig workers, mandatory appointment letters for all employees, and statutory minimum wages and timely payment across sectors. Meanwhile, reacting to the labour codes, Sajja Praveen Chowdary, Director, Policybazaar for Business said making annual health checks mandatory for employees above 40 years marks an important shift in how organisations view workforce wellbeing. In the long run, this alignment of policy and ...

Govt enforces four labour codes; rationalises 29 existing labour laws

The Centre has brought all four Labour Codes into force from November 21, rationalising 29 old laws to improve worker welfare, and simplify rules for businesses

India among world's busiest nations, strives for work-life balance

People with advanced education qualifications have more workload on them

Labour codes' rollout: Centre nudges states to get in driver's seat

Several states have now gone ahead proactively in amending their labour regulations to align with key industry demands

Labour codes may align with state rules by March; West Bengal not on board

Labour economist K R Shyam Sundar said the "vaguely constructed" new labour laws were at the root of the "malady"

Labour reforms, focus on informal workers, other policies on cards in 2025

Speedy implementation of labour codes, providing social security to informal workers, especially gig and platform, and bringing transformative policies would be the government's priority in 2025 to empower all and boost the economy. All 36 states and UTs are expected to complete harmonization and pre-publication of draft rules under the four labour codes by 31st March 2025, according to the labour ministry. The ministry has identified four reforms in labour laws to be carried out viz. Single Registration, Single Return, Firm-based common licence with five years validity. Talking to PTI, Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya stated: "As we stand at the dawn of a New Year, our commitment remains resolute -- building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready workforce for India." In 2024, "we achieved significant milestones in enhancing the IT systems of EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation) and ESIC (Employees' State ...

Labour ministry plans scheme to extend benefits to gig and platform workers

The Ministry of Labour & Employment is working on a scheme to provide various benefits like social security to gig and platform workers in the country, a senior official said on Wednesday. Addressing the CII Global Economic Policy Forum, Union Labour Secretary Sumita Dawra said the labour code on social security has outlined social security benefits for them. "We are putting together the scheme for the gig and platform economy workers because there is no traditional employer-employee relationship defined for the gig and platform workers but we need to bring social security coverage for them so that they can be more productive and support the country's economy and the e-commerce and services sector more effectively," she said. In October, Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that a policy for providing social security benefits like pension and health services to gig and platform workers is under process. He had also said that Niti Aayog has estimated 65 lakh gig and ...

Centre, states likely to review labour code rollout at December meet

Last year, a study released by a government agency - V V Giri National Labour Institute- had said that the rules framed by various states and UTs under the new labour codes have "too much" divergence

New labour codes set for rollout as 25 states finalise draft rules. Details

The remaining three states, including West Bengal, which had previously raised concerns about the codes, have now agreed to draft the necessary subordinate legislation to enforce them

Centre asks platform aggregators to register workers on e-Shram portal

The government has invited platform aggregators to register their gig workers on the e-Shram portal that could help them access various social security benefits. This registration is crucial to ensure workers' access to social welfare schemes, the Ministry of Labour and Employment in a statement said, adding that aggregators will help develop an accurate registry of beneficiaries. "The Ministry of Labour & Employment has taken another major step in extending social security benefits to gig and platform workers by inviting platform aggregators to register their workers on the e-Shram portal," it said. The e-Shram portal serves as a nationwide database of unorganised workers, designed to provide them with access to social security and welfare schemes. To guide the process, the statement said the ministry has issued an advisory with a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlining aggregator responsibilities, including registering workers and updating their data. Upon registration, ...

Youth jobless rate fell globally to 15-year low in 2023: ILO report

Report expresses concern over number of youth in NEET, which stood at 20.4% globally

Made to stand for 10 hrs: Amazon India staff alleges inhuman work practices

Workplace exploitation: In a survey conducted by UNI Global Union, as many as 1,838 Amazon employees reported dire working conditions at its facilities in India

Karnataka govt set to introduce draft Bill to protect gig workers' rights

The draft Bill will reportedly ensure protections such as grievance redressal and safeguards against unjust dismissal for gig workers in ride-hailing and delivery services

World Day Against Child Labour 2024: History, Theme, Importance and Quotes

The ILO and its partners observe the World Day Against Child Labour every year on 12 June. The goal is to bring attention to the issue of child labour and bring it to an end for the benefit of world

India's fresh formal job creation slowed to three-month low in February

In what suggests some robustness, nearly 67 per cent of the total new EPF subscribers belong to the 18-28 age group, a cohort mostly comprised of new entrants to the labour market

TCS get notice from Maharashtra labour dept for employee transfer practices

Group representing Indian IT workers alleges company harassing employees who oppose 'forced transfers'