Lok Sabha Question No. 254 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Implementation of Four Labour Codes
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Jagdambika Pal, Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Shri Balabhadra Majhi, Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Shri Vijay Kumar Dubey, Shri Rahul Singh Lodhi, Shri Manoj Tiwari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 254

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## IMPLEMENTATION OF FOUR LABOUR CODES

## 254.  SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:

SMT. KAMALJEET SEHRAWAT:

SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY:

SHRI RAHUL SINGH LODHI:

SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

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

- (a)the details of the key features and objectives of the four Labour Codes,  brought  into  effect  from  21  November  2025,  particularly with  reference  to  workers  and  employers  in  the  tribal  areas  of Odisha;
- (b)the details of the simplified compliance mechanisms introduced under the said Labour Codes, such as single-window filing, webbased inspections and uniform definitions for workers and establishments;
- (c)the manner in which the mechanisms are being implemented in the tribal-dominated areas of Odisha;
- (d)whether the Government has devised any monitoring or evaluation framework to assess the outcomes of the implementation of the said  Labour  Codes  including  their  impact  on  ease  of  doing business,  workplace  safety  and  formalisation  of  the  workforce particularly in the tribal areas of Odisha; and
- (e)if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

- (a) to (e): The Central Government has implemented the four Labour Codes viz; the Code on Wages, 2019, the Code on Social Security, 2020,  the  Industrial  Relations  Code,  2020  and  the  Occupational Safety,  Health  and  Working  Conditions  Code,  2020  across  the country, including Odisha, w.e.f. 21.11.2025. The four  Labour Codes

provide for single registration, licencing and return, 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 and promotes formalisation of workforce.

Further, the Shram Suvidha Portal (SSP) under Ministry of Labour and Employment acts as a single unified web portal for online registration  of  units,  reporting  of  inspections  and  submissions  of annual returns, thereby improving ease of doing business, reducing delays  and  enhancing  access  and  transparency.  The  portal  also captures  comprehensive  sector/industry-wise  and  State-wise  data relating to units registering on the portal, their compliance reporting status, and submission of statutory returns.

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 in 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.

## 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.

Contd..3/-

## 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.

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