NewKerala.com

Centre Fully Operationalises Four Labour Codes, Ushering in New Era for Workers

The Centre has fully operationalised the four labour codes by notifying the corresponding rules, more than five years after the reforms were introduced. The codes, which came into force on November 21, 2025, consolidate 29 existing labour laws into a simplified framework. Key benefits include equal wages for men and women, increased maternity leave to 26 weeks, and annual health check-ups for workers aged 40 and above. Labour Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya stated that the reforms reflect Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantee of ensuring dignity and social security for workers.

Key Points: Centre Fully Operationalises Four Labour Codes

  • Four labour codes fully operationalised after rule notification
  • Codes consolidate 29 existing labour laws into a simplified structure
  • Provisions include equal wages, 26-week maternity leave, and work-from-home for women
  • National Reskilling Fund to support unemployed workers with fresh training
2 min read

Centre fully operationalises four labour codes

The Centre has fully operationalised four labour codes, consolidating 29 laws. Key benefits include equal wages, 26-week maternity leave, and annual health check-ups for workers.

"The implementation of the four Labour Codes reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantee of ensuring dignity, welfare and social security for workers across the country. - Dr Mansukh Mandaviya"

New Delhi, May 9

The Centre has completed the implementation of the four labour codes by notifying the corresponding rules in the official gazette, more than five years after the reforms were first introduced to overhaul India's labour law framework.

The four labour codes -- 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 -- had come into force on November 21, 2025.

With the publication of the rules, the new labour regime has now become fully operational across the country.

Notably, the labour codes were brought in to replace and consolidate 29 existing labour laws into a simplified structure

However, according to officials, some operational aspects of the codes could not be implemented earlier due to the absence of notified rules.

Earlier in May, Labour Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya launched a nationwide annual health check-up initiative for all workers aged 40 and above under new Labour Codes.

The free health check-ups for all workers above 40 years of age will now be conducted across the country every year.

Mandaviya said the implementation of the four Labour Codes reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantee of ensuring dignity, welfare and social security for workers across the country.

Highlighting key labour reforms, the minister stated that provisions for equal wages for men and women workers have been ensured, maternity leave has been increased from 12 weeks to 26 weeks and work-from-home provisions for women have also been incorporated.

In addition, the framework provides for setting up a National Reskilling Fund to support workers who lose employment and require fresh training for new opportunities.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
The 26-week maternity leave and work-from-home provisions for women are game-changers! 👏 My sister-in-law had to quit her job after her second child. These reforms could have helped her. Hope companies actually implement them properly and don't find loopholes.
K
Kiran H
Free annual health check-ups for all workers above 40? That's very thoughtful. My father worked in a small factory for 30 years and never had a single health screening. This could catch issues early. But the real question — will this reach the unorganized sector? 90% of our workforce is there. 😕
J
James A
Interesting to see India consolidating 29 laws into 4 codes. As someone who works in HR consulting, I know how complex the old system was. The National Reskilling Fund is particularly smart — automation is going to displace many jobs. India needs to stay ahead of that curve.
A
Ananya R
Equal wages for men and women is long overdue. It's 2025, and we're still talking about this as if it's a new idea 🙄 But seriously, between maternity leave increase and equal pay, these codes address the two biggest hurdles for working women in India. Implementation is key now.
N
Nitin Z
My small business employs 15 workers. The old system was a nightmare of compliance — different forms, different inspectors, different rules. This simplification is welcome. But I worry about the costs: health check-ups, higher maternity benefits, reskilling funds... small businesses might struggle initially. Hope there's support.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50