Tiffany Thompson · 12/08/2025
India's new Labor Codes consolidate 29 existing labor laws into four codes: Wages, Social Security, Industrial Relations, and Occupational Safety. While implementation has been delayed, companies should prepare now. The changes will significantly impact wage structures, compliance requirements, and employment costs.
The new Wages Code mandates that basic wages must be at least 50% of total remuneration. This seemingly simple rule has major implications for take-home pay and employer costs.
The Social Security Code extends coverage to gig workers, platform workers, and the unorganized sector. It also creates a national social security board and simplifies registration.
The Industrial Relations Code aims to make it easier to hire and, notably, to adjust workforce size. Fixed-term employment gets formal recognition, and retrenchment rules are simplified for smaller establishments.
Even though implementation dates remain uncertain, proactive preparation minimizes disruption when the codes take effect.