The Government of India has subsumed over 29 Central laws and corresponding State laws into four major Labour Codes: the Code on Wages, 2019; the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 and the Code on Social Security, 2020. All the Labour Codes have been aimed to broadening the scope of coverage, rights and protections, reducing multiplicity in definitions, authorities and compliances, and embracing more digitization in registrations/compliances. However, at the same time, the Labour Codes are largely a consolidation of existing laws rather than the substantial changes in the position of law itself.

The Code on Wages, 2019 (“Wage Code”):
It amalgamates four labour laws pertaining to minimum wages, payment of wages, applicable deductions, statutory bonus and equal remuneration to employees. The most significant aspect of the Wage Code is the uniform definition of wages which has also been adopted across the other three Labour Codes as well as broadening its applicability to all establishments.

The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (“IRC”):
It subsumes three major labour laws that deals with employees’ working conditions, separation from employment, industrial disputes and collective bargain. The majority of rights and protections have been retained for employees and the coverage has broadened on account of certain changes in definitions. It also encourages more industries to expand operations since the law is not onerous in some aspects as before.

The Occupational, Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (“OSHWC Code”):
It repeals 13 central labour laws which are applicable to various types of industries viz. mines, plantation, contract labour and construction establishments.

The Code on Social Security, 2020 (“SS Code”):
It combines and repeals nine laws that were primarily employees’ social welfare legislations and seeks to create a comprehensive social security system to provide retirement, health, old-age disability, unemployment and maternity benefits to the majority of population.

Our Law Firm provides comprehensive litigation as well as consultation services to its individual and corporate clients in the field of Labour and Industrial Laws, viz.:-

• Compensation under Employee’s Compensation Act;
• Disputes between employers and employers, and employers and employee (workman);
• Strike, lock out and lay off etc.;
• Legal and constitutional rights of employees and their other benefits;
• Trade Unions, their registration and rights;
• Disciplinary proceedings and other actions against employees;
• Relief against illegal Retrenchment, termination and dismissal of employees;
• Disputes regarding salary, provident fund and gratuity etc.;
• Disputes with regard to bonded labour and child labour;
• Reinstatement of employees, etc.