‘Strong foundation for universal social security, minimum wages’: PM Modi on implementation of four labour codes

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that the four new labour codes, to be implemented from today, provide a strong foundation for universal social security and will protect workers’ rights.

The Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 are set to be implemented from today.

“Shramev Jayate! Today, our Government has given effect to the Four Labour Codes. It is one of the most comprehensive and progressive labour-oriented reforms since Independence. It greatly empowers our workers. It also significantly simplifies compliance and promotes ‘Ease of Doing Business’,” the Prime Minister posted on X.

PM Modi further stated that the implementation of these four labour codes will ensure minimum and timely payment of wages, along with a safe workplace and remunerative opportunities, especially for women and youth.

“These Codes will serve as a strong foundation for universal social security, minimum and timely payment of wages, safe workplaces and remunerative opportunities for our people, especially Nari Shakti and Yuva Shakti,” the PM said.

He further stated that these reforms will boost job creation, drive productivity and push India towards being developed.

“It will build a future-ready ecosystem that protects the rights of workers and strengthens India’s economic growth. These reforms will boost job creation, drive productivity and accelerate our journey towards a Viksit Bharat,” he added.

In a historic decision, the Government of India has announced that the four Labour Codes – the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 are being made effective from 21st November, rationalising 29 existing labour laws.

By modernising labour regulations, enhancing workers’ welfare and aligning the labour ecosystem with the evolving world of work, this landmark move lays the foundation for a future-ready workforce and stronger, resilient industries driving labour reforms for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

According to an official release issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, many of India’s labour laws were framed in the pre-Independence and early post-Independence era (1930s-1950s), at a time when the economy and world of work were fundamentally different. While most major economies have updated and consolidated their labour regulations in recent decades, India continued to operate under fragmented, complex and in several parts outdated provisions spread across 29 Central labour laws.

These restrictive frameworks struggled to keep pace with changing economic realities and evolving forms of employment, creating uncertainty and increasing compliance burden for both workers and industry. The implementation of the four Labour Codes addresses this long-pending need to move beyond colonial-era structures and align with modern global trends.

Together, these Codes empower both workers and enterprises, building a workforce that is protected, productive and aligned with the evolving world of work — paving the way for a more resilient, competitive and self-reliant nation. (ANI)