Labour codes may top new govt’s 100-day plan
A senior government official told ET the plan is to roll out the labour codes from the beginning of the next fiscal year on April 1, 2025, to sync it with the business cycle. “However, it is important to come up with the rollout plan in advance so that enterprises get enough time to prepare for the changes that will come in with the codes,” the official said.
The government has already begun working on possible challenges and is deliberating on how to monitor implementation.
“Work is going on to make social security organisations under the labour ministry, including the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation and the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, receptive to the changes under the codes,” the official said.
Slow Progress Made by States
The Codes on Wages was passed by Parliament in 2019 while the Social Security Code, Industrial RelationsCode and the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions were passed in 2020. The pandemic and slow progress by states on framing rules have delayed implementation of codes — labour is on the concurrent list. Also, some unions are critical of the provisions as being anti-worker.
The four labour codes are aimed at “strengthening the protection available to workers, including unorganised workers in terms of statutory minimum wage, social security and healthcare of workers,” according to the government.
Other focus areas
The ministry had earlier this year issued an advisory for employers to promote female workforce participation and is eyeing more
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