The Union Government notified that the four new Labour Codes will come into effect from November 21, 2025, completing a long-awaited consolidation of India's fragmented labour law framework. The four codes consolidate 29 existing central labour laws into a streamlined four-code structure.
The Four Labour Codes are: (1) Code on Wages, 2019 — covers minimum wages, payment of wages, and equal pay; (2) Industrial Relations Code, 2020 — governs trade unions, industrial disputes, and standing orders; (3) Social Security Code, 2020 — extends social security benefits to gig workers, platform workers, and contract workers; (4) Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 — regulates working conditions, safety, and welfare provisions.
A landmark feature is the explicit inclusion of gig and contract workers (estimated at 7.7 million in India) under the social security net — a first in Indian labour law. This addresses workers on platforms like food delivery apps and ride-hailing services. The official material states that the Codes strengthen protections for workers including unorganised, gig and platform workers; e-Shram had over 31 crore registered unorganised workers by January 2026.
Rajasthan's relevance: Rajasthan has a large informal labour force in agriculture, construction, handicrafts, and mining. The state has already notified its own rules under the Codes. The reform improves ease of doing business, which is significant given Rajasthan's push for industrial investment in textiles, gems, and defence manufacturing.
Critics argue that the Codes dilute existing worker protections and reduce union bargaining power through relaxed retrenchment norms for firms employing up to 300 workers (raised from 100).