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New Labour Codes
New Labour Codes
The implementation of the four Labour Codes in 2025 marks a historic transformation of India’s regulatory framework, replacing 29 fragmented labour laws with a modern and streamlined system aimed at protecting and empowering workers. These comprehensive reforms, in effect from November 21, 2025, ensure better wages, enhanced social security, and greater workplace safety, particularly benefitting sectors like gig work, MSMEs, and digital media. By mandating appointment letters, expanding ESIC coverage, and extending legal protections to all forms of employment, the codes pave the way for a future-ready, resilient workforce. This overhaul aligns India’s labour ecosystem with global standards and supports...
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MGNREGA to see a name change, rise in guaranteed employment days
Cabinet clears Bill to rename MGNREGS as 'Poojya Bapu Grameen Rozgar Yojana' and raise guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days
 "New Labour Codes")
Delhi HC flags lack of repeal notification as Centre enforces labour code
Delhi HC flagged concerns that the Centre may have enforced the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 without formally repealing older labour laws, and has sought clarity on how the transition was notified
Updated On : 11 Dec 2025 | 9:37 PM IST "New Labour Codes")
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
Updated On : 05 Dec 2025 | 7:33 AM IST "New Labour Codes")
New Labour Codes aim for big reform, but face bigger test of enforcement
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
Updated On : 04 Dec 2025 | 11:39 PM IST "New Labour Codes")
Latest Updates on New Labour Codes
Centre proposes renaming MGNREGA to VB-G RaM G, to change funding pattern
The Centre has proposed renaming MGNREGA as VB-RaM G, raising guaranteed workdays to 125 and shifting the funding pattern to 60:40, drawing criticism over diluted worker protections
 "Centre proposes renaming MGNREGA to VB-G RaM G, to change funding pattern")
Implementation of new labour codes likely by April 2026: Labour Minister
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
 "Implementation of new labour codes likely by April 2026: Labour Minister")
Do new labour codes support 72-hour work week idea? Here's the truth
The 72-hour work week has been a topic of debate. Some industry leaders support the idea, while many young professionals strongly oppose it. Do new labour codes support it?
 "Do new labour codes support 72-hour work week idea? Here's the truth")
Explained: What new labour codes mean for petroleum industry workers
Earlier, safety regulations in this sector relied mainly on the Factories Act, 1948, which provided a limited, factory-centric approach to hazardous industries
 "Explained: What new labour codes mean for petroleum industry workers")
Centre working on national gig-worker welfare blueprint under Labour Codes
According to a NITI Aayog report, nearly 10 million gig workers were employed in the country in 2024-25, with the number projected to grow to 23.5 million by 2029-30
 "Centre working on national gig-worker welfare blueprint under Labour Codes")
EPFO pension and PF cover to self-employed, gig staff? Here's what we know
The Centre reportedly is planning to ask EPFO to design new provident fund and pension schemes for self-employed and gig workers under the Social Security Code, offering flexible contributions
 "EPFO pension and PF cover to self-employed, gig staff? Here's what we know")
Best of BS Opinion: Will a 25% rate cut make any meaningful difference?
Today's Best of BS Opinion looks at India's real GDP growth contrasts with weak nominal growth, persistent air pollution, confusion over AI , and uncertain labour-code implementation and more
 "Best of BS Opinion: Will a 25% rate cut make any meaningful difference?")
Statsguru: Labour pain may give birth to a new era with new Codes
The new codes, consolidating 29 laws, promise enhanced social security for gig workers and women, amid data showing rising wages but high wealth inequality
 "Statsguru: Labour pain may give birth to a new era with new Codes")
New Labour Codes: The main challenge with Indian policy is its execution
India's new labour Codes promise sweeping reform, but weak state capacity, patchy data, and political risk may once again turn ambitious legislation into uneven, middling execution
 "New Labour Codes: The main challenge with Indian policy is its execution")
Biggest reform in laws since 1947 to spur jobs, investment: Labour secy
The new laws are expected to create 7.7 million additional jobs and bring down unemployment by as much as 1.3 per cent over the medium term, according to a Nov 25 report by SBI Research
 "Biggest reform in laws since 1947 to spur jobs, investment: Labour secy")
Rules for four new Codes to be in place before April 1: Labour secy
Gurnani said that the labour ministry will republish the draft rules soon and give 45 days' time for public consultation
Want labour machinery to focus on defaulting firms: Labour Secretary
Labour Secretary Vandana Gurnani talks about how the ministry plans to enforce worker protections without bureaucratic drags and how states are aligning their rules with the national framework
 "Want labour machinery to focus on defaulting firms: Labour Secretary")
Labour codes a step in right direction, but face a long road of reforms
Reforms modernise a tangled legal regime and open new opportunities, yet overtime rules, size controls and paternalistic mandates still limit true choice for workers
Central Labour Codes won't be implemented in Kerala: Minister Sivankutty
Kerala Labour Minister V Sivankutty on Thursday made it clear that the Centre's Labour Codes would not be implemented in the state. Speaking to reporters here, Sivankutty said that the majority of the states have taken steps to implement the labour codes, but not Kerala. The minister further said that the Union Labour Ministry had called a meeting of all the states last month and there, Kerala had clearly indicated its stand that it would not implement the labour codes. When reporters asked whether the state succumbed to central pressure to prepare the draft regulations linked to the labour codes, he denied it. "If we were succumbing to central government pressure, we would have given a letter accepting the codes. we have not done that," he said. The draft regulation was notified in the state on December 14, 2021. He also asserted that the draft regulations were not prepared in secret. "It was done openly and I recommended in the file that public opinion be sought regarding it.
 "Central Labour Codes won't be implemented in Kerala: Minister Sivankutty")
States can draft labour code rules at their pace if aligned with new laws
Reportedly, the centre is in works to come up with the rules under the new codes by the first week of December, following which there will be a 45 day window for stakeholder consultations
 "States can draft labour code rules at their pace if aligned with new laws")
New labour codes likely to boost pension, trim monthly salaries: Tax expert
Salaried employees may get slightly less in monthly take-home pay but their contributions to compulsory retirement plans will increase, he says
