From 21 Nov 2025, India’s four Labour Codes—Code on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Code on Social Security (2020), and Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions Code (2020)—replace 29 existing labour laws.
Codes ensure minimum wages for all, social security for gig, platform, contract, and migrant workers, and mandatory appointment letters for formal employment.
Women can work on night shifts and in all occupations with safety measures; gender pay equality and anti-discrimination laws have been strengthened.
Employers must provide free annual health check-ups, timely wage payments, and social security benefits nationwide.
Single registration, licence, and return simplify compliance, while national standards improve occupational safety and industrial welfare.
Codes expand protections to youth, MSME, plantation, audio-visual, IT, dock, export, hazardous, and textile sector workers, boosting employment, social security, and worker dignity.