Labour Code Central Draft Rules

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has released the Draft Rules for the four Labour Codes for public consultation. These are not the final rules; they have been published to invite objections and suggestions from stakeholders before final notification.

High-Level Summary of Draft Rules

  • Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 2025: Focuses on the transition to a standardized “floor wage” and minimum wage calculation based on specific caloric intake and family units. It streamlines the payment of bonuses and timely wage disbursements.
  • Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 2025: Modernizes the framework for trade union recognition, grievance redressal committees, and standing orders. It emphasizes digital communication and electronic voting for worker representation.
  • Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2025: Consolidates safety standards across sectors (factories, mines, docks). It mandates annual health check-ups for employees and introduces a single registration for establishments.
  • Code on Social Security (Central) Rules, 2025: Integrates benefits like PF, ESI, and Gratuity. It introduces specific reporting requirements for vacancies via “Career Centres” and digital record-keeping for employee compensation.

Stakeholders and employers may raise any objections or provide feedback to the officials listed below within the specified window period.

Code NameWindow PeriodDue Date (Approx.)Email IDPhysical Address for Submission
Industrial Relations (Central) Rules, 202530 DaysJan 28, 2026irpl-mole@gov.inMr. Govind Ram, Deputy Secretary, Room No. 306, Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001
Code on Wages (Central) Rules, 202545 DaysFeb 12, 2026padam.s@nic.inMr. Padam Singh, Under Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Shram Shakti Bhawan, New Delhi-110001
Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 202545 DaysFeb 12, 2026ravis.nirala@nic.inMr. Ravi Shankar Nirala, Under Secretary, Room No. 17, Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001
Code on Social Security (Central) Rules, 202545 DaysFeb 12, 2026s.datta@nic.inMr. Supriya Ranjan Datta, Deputy Secretary, Room No. 318, Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001