Center: State Officials to Undergo Training on New Labour Codes

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To acquaint state governments with the recently introduced labour codes, the Ministry of Labour & Employment is gearing up to conduct a comprehensive training workshop for state government labour officials.

According to reliable sources, this workshop aims to address the challenges posed by the new labour codes and ensure a smooth nationwide rollout.

During discussions with state officials, it has become evident that many are still grappling with the intricacies and objectives of the new labour codes.

A reliable source said to Business Standard, “In our discussions with state officials, it has become evident that many have yet to fully grasp the objectives and complexities of the new labour codes.”

According to Business Standard, “In some states, the draft rules formulated under these codes diverge in nature and scope from the central laws, rendering the entire exercise redundant. Therefore, a workshop to acclimatise and sensitise officials to the new codes is being considered in the coming months,” the source added.

Recognizing this gap, the ministry plans to acclimatize and sensitize officials through the upcoming workshop.

Building Consensus and Readiness

The workshop seeks to build upon the consensus achieved during the labour ministers’ meeting held in August 2022. Over the past two years, internal discussions between states and the central government have made considerable progress. Now, it’s time to translate that progress into practical implementation. By preparing state officials, the government aims to preempt legal challenges and ensure a seamless transition to the new labour codes.

“Internal discussions have been ongoing at various levels between states and the central government over the past two years, leading to considerable progress. This workshop will build upon the outcomes of the previous ministerial conference held in Tirupati,” the source added.

Finally, to kickstart this process, a crucial meeting is scheduled for Thursday. State labour secretaries and labour commissioners will convene under the chairmanship of Sumita Dawra, the central Labour Secretary.

Their primary agenda: reviewing the draft state rules aligned with the new codes. This review process is essential to foster consensus and operationalize the codes promptly.

Resuming Labour Reforms

These efforts come after a pause in labour reforms due to political sensitivities before the general elections. However, the new government is now committed to enhancing the ease of doing business and attracting investments.

As part of this commitment, the government consolidated 29 central labour laws into four comprehensive codes:

  1. Code on Wages, 2019
  2. Industrial Relations Code, 2020
  3. Code on Social Security, 2020
  4. Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020

Labour Codes: State-Level Implementation Status

A recent study conducted by the government’s VV Giri National Labour Institute sheds light on the progress made by states and Union Territories (UTs) in adopting the new codes.

Here are the key findings:

  • Fully Compliant States and UTs: Twenty states and four Union Territories have successfully formulated rules under all four codes.
  • Partial Compliance: Three states have rules in place for three out of the four codes.
  • Yet to Formulate Rules: West Bengal, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Lakshadweep, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli are yet to formulate rules under any of the codes.

However, the study also raises concerns about the divergence in rules framed by various states and UTs.

Some of these divergent rules contradict the fundamental principles and spirit of the new labour codes. Harmonizing these variations will be crucial for effective implementation and ensuring uniformity across the country.

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