Implementation of the new Labour Codes in India from November
21, 2025, marks one of the most significant legal reforms in India
in the labour & employment law landscape in decades. The
consolidation of 29 central labour statutes into four comprehensive
Codes, each on Wages, Social Security, Industrial Relations and
Operational Health & Safety, seeks to simplify the regulatory
framework, thereby increasing the ease of doing business. However,
the Labour Codes come with their own challenges, both in terms of
interpretation and implementation.
With only few states having finalized the rules under all four
codes and the rules under the erstwhile legislations still being
operational, the exact legal framework needs to be carefully
understood. In addition to introducing novel concepts, the Labour
Codes have also revamped certain pre-existing constructs. The new
framework also contains features that, if not reviewed, could lead
to increased cost for employers. In addition,
