Labour and Industrial Laws in India

Industrial laws in India regulate labor rights, employment conditions, wages, industrial disputes, and workplace safety. The government has consolidated various laws into four labor codes: the Code on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Occupational Safety Code (2020), and Social Security Code (2020). These reforms aim to simplify compliance and provide social security benefits to gig workers.

Existing laws such as the Factories Act (1948), Industrial Disputes Act (1947), and Minimum Wages Act (1948) ensure worker welfare, dispute resolution, and fair wages. The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Act (1952) and Maternity Benefit Act (1961) provide retirement savings and maternity leave, while the Workmen's Compensation Act (1923) ensures compensation for workplace injuries.

Recent reforms, including the coverage of gig workers under social security and the introduction of fixed-term employment, aim to enhance worker benefits and rights. However, the full implementation of these new labor codes is still pending.