India's Four Labour Codes: A Transformational Reform For The Nation's Workforce

The Historic Implementation

On November 21, 2025, the Government of India made a landmark decision by implementing four Labour Codes ie., 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). This historic move consolidates and modernizes 29 existing central labour laws, marking a significant departure from colonial-era labour structures that have governed Indian workers for nearly a century. The decision represents India's commitment to aligning its labour ecosystem with global standards while ensuring social justice and protection for all workers across the country.