The Four Labour Codes
- Code on Wages, 2019
- Code on Social Security, 2020
- Industrial Relations Code, 2020
- Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020
Key Points
- These Four Labour Codes are proposed to replace 29 Central Labour Laws
- These New Codes bring changes to compliance requirements, including wage structures, gratuity eligibility, and statutory filings
- All the provisions of Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 have been notified w.e.f. 21st Nov, 2025
- Only selective provisions of Code on Wages, 2019 and Code on Social Security, 2020 have been notified w.e.f. 21st Nov, 2025
Executive Summary
Press Release dated 21st November, 2025
Excerpt from Press Release of Ministry of Labour & Employment:
"In line with the wide-ranging consultations carried out during the drafting of the Labour Codes, the Government will likewise engage the public and stakeholders in the framing of the corresponding rules, regulations, schemes, etc. under the Codes. During transition, the relevant provisions of the existing labour Acts and their respective rules, regulations, notifications, standards, schemes, etc. will continue to remain in force."
Interview of Union Labour Secretary dated 26th November, 2025
Excerpt from Interview:
"We will pre-publish the central rules next week, allow 45 days for comments, then take 30-45 days to finalise them. In two and half to three months, the final central rules should be notified."
Current Status
- Existing Labour laws, Rules, Schemes and Notifications etc. continue to prevail
- Indications on the State Rules awaited as they are relevant to enforce majority of Codes in States
Codes and Existing Laws
Code on Wages, 2019
Existing Laws proposed to be repealed:
- Payment of Wages Act, 1936
- Minimum Wages Act, 1948
- Payment of Bonus Act, 1965
- Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
Code on Social Security, 2020
Existing Laws proposed to be repealed:
- The Employee's Compensation Act, 1923
- The Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948
- The Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952
- The Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act, 1959
- The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961
- The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
- The Cine-Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1981
- The Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Cess Act, 1996
- The Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act, 2008
Industrial Relations Code, 2020
Existing Laws proposed to be repealed:
- Trade Unions Act, 1926
- Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946
- Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020
Existing Laws proposed to be repealed:
- Factories Act, 1948
- The Plantations Labour Act, 1951
- The Mines Act, 1952
- The Working Journalists and other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955
- The Working Journalists (Fixation of Rates of Wages) Act, 1958
- The Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961
- The Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966
- The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970
- The Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1976
- The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979
- The Cine-Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1981
- The Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1986
- The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996
Central Laws to Continue
Post implementation of Codes, the following Central Laws will continue to prevail:
- Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial & Other Subsidies, Benefits & Services) Act, 2016 & (Sharing of Info.) Reg 2016
- Apprentices Act, 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules, 1992
- Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Rules, 1976 and amendment thereto
- Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
- Dock Workers (Safety Health and Welfare) Act 1986 & Rules 1990
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 and Rules, 2018
- Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 and Rules, 1952
- National Minimum Guidelines for setting up and running creches under Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Rules, 2012
- Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 [Formerly known as Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955] and Rules 1977
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017, Tamil Nadu Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2018 and amendment thereto
- The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017
- The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
- Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020
- Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005
State Laws to Continue
Post implementation of Codes, the following State Laws will continue to prevail:
- Industrial Establishment (National and Festival Holidays) Acts and Rules
- Payment of Subsistence Allowance Acts and Rules
- Shops and Establishments Acts and Rules
- Industrial Establishments (Conferment Of Permanent Status To Workmen) Acts and Rules
- Labour Welfare Fund Acts and Rules
- Professions, Trades, Callings and Employments Taxation
- Minimum House-Rent Allowance Acts and Rules
Contact Information
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