Employees Must Know about these 4 new Labour Codes notified by Government
Ministry of Labour and Employment recently published a press release on November 21 2025 regarding announcement of four Labour Codes.
The Government of India has decided to bring four new labour laws which will come into force from November 21, 2025. These laws are the Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Code on Social Security, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code. Together, they replace 29 old labour laws.
This move will simplify and modernise the rules for workers and companies. The main objective of this is to improve workers’ welfare, make workplaces safer, and help industries work more smoothly. Overall, these new laws prepare India’s workforce for the future and support stronger, self-reliant industries under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
For many decades, India’s labour laws were old and scattered across 29 different rules many of them created before or just after Independence. These laws were made for a time when the economy and types of jobs were very different from today. Because they were outdated and complicated, they created confusion and made it difficult for both workers and businesses to follow them.
However, most of the countries have already modernized and simplified their labour rules. India has now done the same by bringing in four new Labour Codes. These new codes substitute the old system with clearer and more updated rules. These new system will safeguard workers’ rights while also helping companies work smoothly.
How the new Labour Reforms benefit different groups
Following are some sectors which will get benefits from new Labour Reforms:
1. Fixed-Term Employees (FTE):
These are workers hired for a specific time. With the new rules:
- They will get the same benefits as permanent staff such as medical care and social security.
- They can get gratuity after just one year, instead of waiting five years.
2. Gig and Platform Workers
- They will get a special Aadhaar-linked Universal Account Number.
- This makes their benefits easy to track and use anywhere in India, even if they move to another state.
3. Contract Workers
- They will get better job opportunities because companies can hire more flexibly.
- They will also get social security and health benefits, similar to permanent employees.
- The company hiring them (the principal employer) must provide these benefits.
4. Women Workers
- Women can now work night shifts and in any type of job, including underground mining or running heavy machines.
- This is allowed only if they agree to it and proper safety measures are in place.
5. Young Workers (Youth)
- Everyone must receive at least the minimum wage, no matter what job they do.
- Every worker must get an appointment letter, which helps prove employment history and ensures access to social security.
For complete information refer to the official press release-