Lok Sabha Question No. 218 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Implementation of Four Labour Codes
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 218

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## IMPLEMENTATION OF FOUR LABOUR CODES

## 218.  SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has made the Four Labour Codes viz., Code  on  Wages,  Industrial  Relations  Code,  Code  on  Social Security and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code to be effective across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the date by which these Codes have come into force;
- (c) the names of the States/Union Territories which have completed the process of framing and notifying the corresponding rules;
- (d) the details of the manner in which implementation of said Labour Codes is likely to simplify, rationalise and streamline the existing labour laws for workers and employers;
- (e) the details of major changes introduced under each Labour Code and  their  likely  impact  on  wages,  social  security  and  working conditions of employees; and
- (f) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure smooth, uniform and effective enforcement of the Labour Codes across all sectors in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*                                         *****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  218  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON 15.12.2025  REGARDING  'IMPLEMENTATION OF  FOUR  LABOUR CODES' Raised BY SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA & SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE.

- (a) & (b): The Central Government has formulated the four Labour Codes, namely, 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 after amalgamating, simplifying and rationalising the relevant provisions of the previous 29 Central Labour Acts. The four Labour Codes have come into  force  with  effect  from  21st  November  2025  across  the country.
- (c): The States/UTs are still in process of finalizing the Rules under the four Labour Codes.  As per available information, Code wise status of pre-published Rules by States/UTs are as under:
- (i)
- (ii)
- The Code on Wages, 2019: 34
- The Industrial Relations Code, 2020: 35
- (iii)The Code on Social Security, 2020: 34
- (iii)
- The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 : 35
- (d) & (e): The four Labour Codes reduce multiplicity of definitions & authorities,  facilitate  use  of  technology,  bring  transparency  & accountability  in  enforcement.   Simultaneously,  it  strengthens  the protection available to workers, including unorganized workers. The following are the salient features of the Labour Codes:

## Code on Wages 2019

- Universalisation of  minimum wages to all employments as against scheduled employment in the previous Act.
- 'Floor  Wage'  has been made Statutory which will be notified by Central  Government.  Minimum  rates  of  wages  fixed  by  the appropriate Government shall not be less than floor wage.
- Promote gender neutrality and prohibit discrimination recruitment and wage payment, including transgender.
- •
- Timely payment of wages to all employees.
- Allowances  exceeding  50%  made  part  of  wages  which  will enhance maternity benefits, gratuity, Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Employees Pension Scheme (EPS) Contribution, etc.
- in

## Industrial Relations Code 2020

- Statutory 'Negotiating Union' and 'Negotiating Council' to facilitate collective bargaining.
- Two-Member Industrial Tribunal as against one member for speedy disposal of industrial disputes. Equal representation of employer and employee in Grievance Redressal committee.
- Fixed Term Employment (FTE) introduced where an employee gets all  the  benefits  at  par  with  permanent  worker.  Proportionate gratuity on completion of 1 year of service.
- Penalties for violations rationalized and made commensurate with gravity of offence.

## Code on Social Security, 2020

- Social Security cover to all workers including unorganised workers, Gig & Platform workers.
- To cater to new forms of employment, definitions of aggregator, gig worker, platform workers introduced
- Universal  coverage  of  Employees  State  Insurance  Corporation (ESIC),  extended  pan-India  against  in  notified  districts/areas  at present.
- ESIC  benefits  extended  to  establishments  with  less  than  10 employees on voluntary basis
- Mandatory ESIC coverage to establishments employing even single employee, involving hazardous process.
- Universal  coverage  of  Employees  Provident  Fund  Organization (EPFO), now applies to all establishments employing 20 or more employees. The existing provision regarding schedule of industries
- has been removed.

## OSH & WC Code 2020

- The Code provides for universal application of occupational safety, health and welfare standards in all establishments having 10 or more  workers  and  even  for  establishment  with  one  employee, carrying out hazardous or life-threatening occupations.
- Formalization of employment through mandatory issue of appointment letter.
- Employer  to  provide  free  of  cost  annual  health  check-up  for employees above the specified age.
- Definition  of  Inter-State  Migrant  Worker  expanded  that  includes migrant workers employed by contractor, and also self-migrated
- workers. They are entitled for (a) annual  lump-sum travel allowance, (b) portability of benefits · Women workers are allowed to work in all establishments, for all types of work including during night subject to their consent and safety. (f): The  four  Labour  Codes  were  passed  after  extensive consultations with all stakeholders including States/UTs. The comments/concerns raised by the stakeholders were acknowledged and  examined  before  the  passage  of  four  Labour  Codes.  Further, several National and Regional Labour Conferences were held with States/UTs  to  discuss  issues  relating  to  four  Labour  Codes.  The Ministry  of  Labour  and  Employment  is  pursuing  with  stakeholders including States/UTs for smooth implementation of the Codes.
- *****