NEW DELHI
The Indian government has unveiled new Labour Codes aimed at providing safer and more accountable workplaces for workers in hazardous sectors, marking a major shift in workplace safety and welfare standards. Industries such as mining, petroleum, metallurgy, chemical, and heavy manufacturing, which employ large numbers of workers in high-risk conditions, are set to benefit from these reforms.
The new framework consolidates 29 central labour laws into 4 Labour Codes, with the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (OSH&WC), 2020, at its core. This code introduces a preventive and integrated safety system, mandating risk assessments, free annual health check-ups, training, personal protective equipment (PPE), and emergency planning. Employers now have clearer guidelines while workers receive stronger protections and safer conditions.
All employees in hazardous industries, including chemical, explosive, gas, radiation, mining, construction, dock, and heavy engineering sectors, are covered under OSH&WC. Health records, previously maintained manually, are now digital, portable, and accessible to workers and inspectors, ensuring transparency and long-term traceability. Mandatory pre-employment, periodic, and post-exposure medical examinations further support early detection of occupational diseases, reducing medical costs and improving workforce productivity.
Social security has also been strengthened under the Social Security Code, 2020, guaranteeing immediate compensation for workplace accidents or occupational diseases. Workers are entitled to ESIC benefits, including medical care, disability support, injury compensation, maternity benefits, provident fund, gratuity, and pension. Digital records enhance accessibility and transparency for all benefits.
Officials said the reforms aim to create a labour ecosystem where safety and social security are not privileges but guaranteed rights, supported by emergency response mechanisms, welfare facilities, and clear regulatory pathways. The codes are expected to transform hazardous workplaces into safer, healthier, and more productive environments for India’s workforce.
