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ARTICLE · 28 OCTOBER 2026

Inter-State Migrant Workers Under India’s OSH Code, 2020: Rights, Journey Allowance And Employer Compliance

King, Stubb & Kasiva
King, Stubb & Kasiva
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King, Stubb & Kasiva

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India’s Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH Code) introduces a consolidated framework for regulating workplace safety, health and working conditions, including specific protections for inter-State migrant workers. With the Code coming into force on 21 November 2025 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 being notified on 8 May 2026, employers and contractors must reassess how they identify, document and provide benefits to migrant workers.

IndiaEmployment and HR
Rohitaashv Sinha
Rohitaashv Sinha
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Introduction

India’s Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH Code) introduces a consolidated framework for regulating workplace safety, health and working conditions, including specific protections for inter-State migrant workers. With the Code coming into force on 21 November 2025 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 being notified on 8 May 2026, employers and contractors must reassess how they identify, document and provide benefits to migrant workers.1

One of the most significant changes is the recognition of workers who migrate independently to another State and subsequently secure employment, rather than limiting protection to workers recruited through contractors. The framework also provides for an annual journey allowance, electronic reporting of migrant-worker statistics and access to specified welfare benefits. For employers operating across States, these provisions make accurate worker classification,

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