The Labour Codes have been a significant part of the reform agenda, with the ministry focusing on the notification of these codes as one of the oldest pending items. A senior official mentioned that work is underway to review the implementation process for the codes, including the development of regulations and notifications. The preparation also involves addressing several key provisions within the codes, such as the establishment of a social security fund aimed at benefiting informal workers.
Efforts are being made to ensure readiness for the codes, with most states having already outlined draft rules for public feedback. The decision to move forward with the implementation lies with the next government after its formation in June. The government's decision to consolidate 29 Central labour laws into four Labour Codes, including the Code on Wages, the Industrial Relations Code, the Code on Social Security, and the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code, is seen as a step towards facilitating business operations and aligning labour laws with the changing economic scenario.
Despite being passed by Parliament, the Codes require consensus-building with states due to labour being a subject on the concurrent list in the Constitution, allowing both the Centre and States to legislate on it. Previous concerns raised by industry and trade unions have led to hesitance among some states in notifying the Labour Codes. The Centre has conducted numerous consultation exercises to address these concerns and garner agreement on various provisions before moving forward with the implementation process.