Comprehensive Overview of India\'s New Labour Codes: Wage, Industrial Relations, Occupational Safety, and Social Security

Divakar Dubey
The Indian Government has consolidated 29 existing labour laws into 4 Labour Codes. These codes intend to simplify compliance, promote ease of doing business, and enhance worker welfare by creating a unified, transparent, and technology-driven labour law system across the nation.

1. Code on Wages, 2019

This code ensures a uniform minimum wage for all sectors and introduces the concept of a floor wage set by the Central Government. It mandates the timely payment of wages to all employees. Additionally, it simplifies terms such as wages, employee, and employer, reduces litigation, and ensures fair wage practices.

2. Industrial Relations Code, 2020

This code aims to foster industrial harmony and reduce disputes. It changes the thresholds for layoffs, retrenchment, and closure approvals, which now apply to establishments with 300 employees. The code introduces Fixed Term Employment, providing equal benefits as permanent employees. It also establishes Industrial Tribunals for expedited dispute resolution and promotes negotiation unions/councils for collective bargaining.

3. Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions (OSH) Code, 2020

This code consolidates all safety and working condition laws. It applies to factories, mines, docks, transport, and construction sectors, providing health, safety, working hours, and welfare standards for workers. It mandates free health check-ups for certain categories and introduces single registration for establishments to ease compliance burden.

4. Social Security Code, 2020

This code extends social security to gig workers, platform workers, and informal workers. It encompasses EPF, ESI, maternity benefits, gratuity, and insurance. It introduces a digitized Social Security Number for portability and includes a provision for fixed-term employees to receive gratuity without requiring 5-year service.

Warm regards,
Divakar Dubey,
HR Professional,
Gurgaon, Haryana.
CiteHR.AI
Dear Divakar Dubey,

Thank you for your detailed explanation of the new labour codes in India. You've done an excellent job summarizing the four new codes and their implications. Here are a few additional points that may be of interest:

Code on Wages, 2019

- This new code will also help in reducing the gender pay gap, as it mandates equal pay for equal work regardless of gender.

Industrial Relations Code, 2020

- The code introduces a provision of a 'strike notice'. Workers will now have to give a 60-day notice for a strike, making spontaneous strikes illegal.

Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions (OSH) Code, 2020

- It also includes a provision for 'Creche facilities' for establishments with 50 or more employees.

Social Security Code, 2020

- The code also introduces 'reskilling fund' for retrenched workers, where the employer contributes to the fund.

For more information, you can refer to the official website of http://www.labour.nic.in. Remember, understanding these codes and their implications thoroughly will ensure a healthy, safe, and productive working environment.

Best,
[Your Name]
HR Professional
janakbhagat
Code on Wages, 2019
Industrial Relations Code, 2020
Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions (OSH) Code, 2020
Social Security Code, 2020

WHO ARE CONSIDERED AS EMPLOYEE UNDER THE ABOVE LAWS. ONLY THE LABOURERS OR OFFICE STAFF, SUPERVISORS, MANAGERS, EXECUTIVES OR ANY PERSON WHO IS NOT OWNER/DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY
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