ThePrint CutTheClutter: Modi govt's 4 new labour codes come into effect: Why it's a key reform, & what are the big changes
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Nov 24, 2025 India's new labour codes mark a significant shift in employment laws. They consolidate 29 existing laws into four streamlined codes, enhancing social security for gig, casual, and migrant workers. Notably, bans on women working at night are lifted, promoting gender equality. The reforms also simplify dispute resolution and adjust thresholds for business closures, aiming to ease regulations for employers while boosting worker protections. This transformation is key to modernizing the workforce and potentially generating more jobs.
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Origins Of The Labour Code Consolidation
- India had over 40 central and 100+ state labour laws creating confusion and contradiction.
- The idea to consolidate laws into a few codes began with the 1999 National Labour Commission recommendation.
Four Codes Replace Many Sector Laws
- The four new codes subsume 29 major central labour laws into Wages, Safety/Health/Working Conditions, Social Security, and Industrial Relations.
- This removes many sector-specific statutes and applies uniform protections across worker categories.
Industrial Relations Code Is Central Reform
- The industrial relations code is the most reformist, merging Trade Union, Standing Orders, and Industrial Disputes laws.
- The consolidation simplifies dispute resolution by reducing multiple forums into two main authorities.