Labour Codes

Before the Codes, central labour law was spread across 29 Acts, many framed between the 1930s and the 1950s. The Code on Wages Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 30 July 2019 and the Rajya Sabha on 2 August 2019, and was published as Act No. 29 of 2019 on 8 August 2019. It repealed the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 and the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. The other three Codes were passed by the Lok Sabha on 22 September 2020 and the Rajya Sabha on 23 September 2020.

On 21 November 2025 the Government brought all four Codes into force, rationalising 29 central labour laws. The Code on Wages gives all workers a statutory right to a minimum wage; earlier, minimum wages applied only to scheduled employments. The Code on Social Security defines gig work, platform work and aggregators for the first time, and requires aggregators to contribute 1–2% of annual turnover, capped at 5% of the amount paid to gig and platform workers. Fixed-term employees become eligible for gratuity after one year of continuous service instead of five.

Labour is on the Concurrent List of the Constitution, so both the Central Government and the State Governments make rules under the Codes. The Centre fixes a floor wage, and States cannot set minimum wages below it. During the transition, the relevant provisions of the old Acts and their rules continue in force. The Codes provide for a single registration, single licence and single return, with States/UTs able to integrate their IT systems with Central systems; the registration of unorganised workers on e-Shram is covered on the Labour & Social Security page.

State rules decide how the Codes apply in each State. By 18 July 2022, draft rules had been pre-published by 31 States/UTs under the Code on Wages, 26 under the Industrial Relations Code, 25 under the Social Security Code and 24 under the OSH Code. By 24 July 2025, 32 States/UTs had pre-published draft rules under the four Codes, while West Bengal and Lakshadweep had not pre-published under any. At a regional conference on 17 February 2026, the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour & Employment urged States/UTs to expedite the finalisation of their rules.

29 → 4 central labour laws rationalised into Codes (in force 21 Nov 2025). 8 Aug 2019 Code on Wages enacted as Act No. 29 of 2019. 23 Sep 2020 Parliament completes passage of the other three Codes. 32 States/UTs with draft rules under the four Codes (24 Jul 2025). 1–2% of annual turnover as aggregators' contribution for gig and platform workers. Sources: Ministry of Labour & Employment via PIB; Gazette of India.