India Fully Implements Four Labour Codes After Five-Year Wait

The Indian government has fully implemented four long-pending labour codes after publishing their rules in the official gazette, marking the final step in a sweeping overhaul of the country's labour framework. The Code on Wages, 2019, Industrial Relations Code, 2020, Code on Social Security, 2020, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, became effective from November 21, 2025, but required rules for full enforcement, which were notified on May 9, 2026.

The rules establish minimum wage protections, universal social security, a 48-hour work week, mandatory appointment letters, and equal pay for women across shifts, while also introducing a National Reskilling Fund for displaced workers. They mandate at least one rest day per week, overtime pay, and free health check-ups for workers aged 40 and above. The draft rules were released December 30, 2025, for stakeholder feedback before legal finalization.

As labour is a concurrent subject, both the Central and State governments must notify the rules for nationwide enforcement. The reforms aim to simplify compliance for businesses, enhance worker rights, and modernize outdated labour regulations by consolidating 29 existing statutes into a unified legal framework.

The government will now coordinate with state administrations to ensure uniform rollout, while monitoring bodies will assess compliance. The Ministry of Labour is expected to issue implementation guidelines within the next fortnight.