The draft of Haryana Wage Code 2026 Rules and Draft OSH Rules 2026
- Significant Regulatory Changes (Wage Code 2026 Rules )
- Consolidation of Rules: The 2026 Rules explicitly supersede the Punjab Payment of Wages Rules, 1937, the Punjab Payment of Wages (Procedure) Rules, 1965, and the Punjab Minimum Wages Rules, 1950 as they applied to Haryana.
- Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA): Revision of VDA will now be endeavored twice a year—before April 1st and October 1st—based on the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers published by Haryana’s Department of Economic and Statistical Affairs.
- Electronic Compliance: The new rules place a heavy emphasis on digital transparency. Employers are encouraged or required to maintain registers (Forms I, VI, VII) and issue wage slips (Form VIII) electronically.
- Composition of Offences: A new formal procedure allows accused persons to apply for the composition of offences (settlement) by paying 50% of the maximum fine, provided it is not a repeat offence.
- Technical Committee: A new technical committee, chaired by the Labour Commissioner, is established specifically to advise the government on skill categorization and hazardous occupations.
Filing Objections
The 2026 notification is currently a draft. The public has 30 days from the date of publication (May 4, 2026) to submit objections or suggestions to the Deputy Labour Commissioner-2 in Chandigarh or via the specified government email.
- The Haryana Occupational Safety, Health and Working Condition Rules, 2026,
Drafted in exercise of the powers conferred by the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, introduce several significant procedural and regulatory updates for establishments in Haryana.
1. Digital Governance and Registration
- Electronic Registration: All employers seeking registration must apply electronically via the departmental portal using Form-4.
- Registration Fees: Fees are structured based on the number of employees, ranging from ₹1,000 (up to 20 employees) to ₹50,000 (above 5,000 employees).
- Deemed Registration: If a complete application is not processed within seven days, the establishment is deemed registered, and a certificate is auto-generated.
- Legacy Updates: Establishments already registered under older labor laws must update their particulars on the website within four months of the Code’s commencement.
2. Health and Safety Infrastructure
- Annual Health Examinations: Employers must provide free annual medical examinations for employees earning below a government-notified ceiling, conducted by qualified practitioners as per Form-8.
- Safety Committees: Mandatory for establishments with 150+ employees, or 50+ employees if involved in hazardous processes. The committee must meet at least once per quarter.
- Safety Officers: Establishments with 500 to 1,500 employees must appoint one safety officer; hazardous factories require one for every 250 to 1,000 employees.
3. Working Conditions and Leave
- Overtime Calculation: In calculating overtime, fractions between 15 to 30 minutes count as 30 minutes, and more than 30 minutes are rounded to one hour.
- Wages for Overtime: For monthly-rated workers, the daily wage for overtime calculation is defined as 1/26th of the monthly wage.
- Double Employment: Workers are permitted to work in more than one establishment on the same day if they are part-time or the work is occasional.
- Leave Encashment on Discharge: Entitled compensatory holidays must be provided to a worker before they are discharged or dismissed.
4. Special Provisions for Women and Migrants
- Employment of Women: Women can work between 07:00 PM and 06:00 AM in any establishment with their consent, provided safety and holiday conditions are met.
- Inter-State Migrant Workers: Employers must pay a lump sum journey allowance (at least II Class Sleeper train fare or bus fare) to migrant workers who have worked at least 60 days in the preceding 12 months.
5. Compliance and Record Keeping
- Appointment Letters: No employee can be employed without a formal letter of appointment; existing employees without one must be issued one within three months of these rules coming into force.
- Annual Returns: Employers must electronically submit an annual return in Form-13 by February 1st of each year.
- Accident Reporting: Fatal accidents must be reported within 12 hours (Form-9), while injuries causing disability for more than 48 hours must be reported within 60 hours.
6. Regulatory Oversight
- Competent Persons: The Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator recognizes “Competent Persons” (not above 62 years old) for testing and certifying buildings, dangerous machinery, and pressure plants.
- Appeals: Employers aggrieved by registration orders can file an electronic appeal within 30 days.