Labour codes could be implemented before April 1

The four labour law codes enacted by Parliament in 2020 and 2019 could be implemented before the sooner goal of April 1, in accordance with Union Labour and Employment Ministry officers.

The codes, which have amalgamated 29 legal guidelines governing minimal wages, occupational security, social safety into 4 codes, have been earlier anticipated to be implemented by April 1. However, Labour and Employment Secretary Apurva Chandra on January 12 mentioned the foundations framed underneath the codes would be finalised by January-end. Once the foundations have been notified, the codes would come into impact.

While the foundations underneath the Code on Wages, 2019 have been finalised, these underneath the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and the Social Security Code, 2020 have been but to be notified. Mr. Chandra mentioned the IR Code guidelines had been finalised, whereas the occupational security and social safety codes would be finalised inside the subsequent 10-12 days. Around 1,200 feedback had been acquired on the draft guidelines underneath the occupational security and social safety codes.

On January 12, Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar held discussions with commerce unions and employers’ organisations concerning the occupational security and social safety guidelines. Ten Central commerce unions – the All-India Trade Union Congress, the Indian National Trade Union Congress, the Hind Mazdoor Sabha, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, the All-India United Trade Union Centre, the Trade Union Coordination Committee, the Self Employed Women’s Association, the All-India Central Council of Trade Unions, the Labour Progressive Federation and the United Trade Union Congress — boycotted the digital assembly, terming it a “farce” through a joint assertion on January 11.

(*1*) the assertion mentioned.

BMS’ demand

The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), the union affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, attended the assembly and raised the demand of accelerating the restrict of earned depart from 240 days to 300 days as per the occupational security code guidelines.

In an announcement, it mentioned: “This is a great loss for those who have sacrificed their right for leave and worked for their employers…The proposed draft rules did not cover 80% of the provisions in the labour codes passed by the Parliament. Most of the power to make rules have been transferred to State governments whose lack of interest in labour matters is notorious.”

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) , which participated within the session, sought a clarification on which allowances would be a part of wages and submitted its suggestions on the 2 draft guidelines, a CII assertion mentioned.

CII director basic Chandrajit Banerjee mentioned: “The new definitions of wages and factories, stronger safety norms and expanded social security coverage to the gig economy require stakeholders to reorganize and strategise for the smooth implementation of the Codes and shape the employment ecosystem in the country. These reforms will help India improve the ease of doing business, attract investment and lead to massive employment generation.”