From 29 Laws to 4 Codes
A historic rationalization of India's labour ecosystem. Modernizing regulations to drive Aatmanirbhar Bharat, enhance worker dignity, and ensure ease of doing business.
The Scale of Transformation
The report highlights two critical trajectories: the massive simplification of the legal framework and the aggressive expansion of the social security net over the last decade. These charts visualize the core justification for the reforms.
Legal Rationalization
Number of Central Labour Laws
Insight: 29 complex, overlapping laws have been subsumed into 4 unified codes, reducing compliance burden and ambiguity.
Social Security Net
Workforce Coverage (%)
Insight: Coverage has surged from 19% (2015) to 64% (2025), with a target of universal coverage under the new Codes.
The Four Pillars
Explore the specific mandates of each Code. Click the tabs below to understand how the 29 laws were reorganized into functional domains.
Code on Wages, 2019
Universalizing the right to minimum wage.
Key Reforms
- ✓
Universal Coverage: Extends minimum wage protection to ALL employees, removing the restriction of "scheduled employments."
- ✓
Floor Wage: Central Govt to fix a 'Floor Wage' to reduce regional disparity.
- ✓
Gender Parity: Prohibits discrimination in recruitment and wages based on gender.
Did You Know?
Prior to this code, nearly 40% of the workforce was excluded from minimum wage protection because their specific job roles weren't listed in the "schedules". This Code closes that gap entirely.
Industrial Relations Code, 2020
Balancing flexibility with worker rights.
Key Reforms
- ✓
Fixed Term Employment (FTE): Legalized. FTE workers get same benefits as permanent staff.
- ✓
Reskilling Fund: Employers must contribute 15 days' wages of retrenched workers to a fund for their reskilling.
- ✓
Dispute Resolution: Faster mechanisms with a 30-day enforceability for Tribunal awards.
Trade Union Recognition
The Code introduces a statutory provision for recognizing a "Negotiating Union" or "Negotiating Council" to streamline collective bargaining.
OSH Code, 2020
Safety, Health and Working Conditions.
Key Reforms
- ✓
Women in Night Shifts: Allowed in all establishments with mandatory consent and safety provisions.
- ✓
One Nation, One License: Single license, single return. Pan-India validity.
- ✓
Health Checkups: Free annual health check-up for employees above a certain age (45).
Inter-state Migrants
Definitions expanded. Benefits include portability of PDS (Ration), journey allowance, and access to a toll-free helpline.
What Does This Mean For You?
The reforms are designed with specific stakeholders in mind. Select a profile below to see the personalized impact of the Labour Codes.
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Click on an icon to see how the new 2025 Labour Codes directly affect your work, security, and future.