New Labour Code: Decoded

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Work, Wages & Welfare: Breaking Down India’s New Labour Code: Decode

1. 🚀 Introduction: Why the New Labour Codes Matter

India’s labour laws were historically complicated—spread across 29 acts, multiple ministries, outdated definitions, unclear enforcement, and state-wise variations.

To solve this, the Government of India introduced four major codes:

  • ✔️ The Code on Wages, 2019

  • ✔️ The Industrial Relations Code, 2020

  • ✔️ The Social Security Code, 2020

  • ✔️ The OSHWC Code, 2020

These codes modernise India’s labour landscape by:

  • Allowing flexibility in hiring and work hours
  • Ensuring fair wages
  • Expanding social security
  • Improving workplace safety
  • Streamlining compliance
  • Protecting gig, platform & contract workers

2.📘The Four Labour Codes Explained

A. ⚖️ Code on Wages, 2019

Replaces: Minimum Wages Act, Payment of Wages Act, Payment of Bonus Act, Equal Remuneration Act

Key features:

  • Uniform definition of “Wages”
  • National floor minimum wage
  • Gender-neutral equal pay
  • Timely payment of wages
  • Overtime = 2× normal wage
  • Coverage across all employees

➡️ Ensures fairer, transparent salary practices.

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B. 🛡️ Code on Social Security, 2020

Merges major acts like EPF, ESI, Maternity Benefits, etc.

Key features:

  • Social security extended to gig & platform workers
  • Gratuity rights for fixed-term employees
  • Digitized social security records
  • Employer contribution for gig workers (1–2% of turnover)
  • Wider coverage for the unorganised sector

➡️ Brings millions under formal protection.

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C. 🏛️ Industrial Relations Code, 2020

Replaces Trade Unions Act, Industrial Disputes Act, Standing Orders Act.

Key features:

  • Layoff threshold raised from 100 → 300 employees
  • Faster dispute resolution
  • Clearer rules for strikes/lockouts
  • Fixed-term employment formalized

➡️ More flexibility + better structure for industrial relations.

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 D. 🏗️ OSH & Working Conditions Code, 2020

Covers factories, mines, construction, IT, logistics & more.

Key features:

  • Standardised working hours
  • Free annual health check-up (40+ years)
  • Women allowed in night shifts
  • Better sanitation & safety
  • Single licence for factory + contract labour

➡️ Creates safer, modern workplaces.

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3. 💼 The 50% Wage Rule

Basic Salary + DA must be at least 50% of CTC.

Impact on Employees

  • Lower take-home salary
  • Higher PF contributions
  • Higher gratuity
  • Better long-term savings

Impact on Employers

  • Higher PF & gratuity liability
  • Need to restructure salary slips
  • More compliance requirements

Before vs After Example

Before:
Basic 30%, Allowances 50%, Bonus 20% → Low PF & gratuity

After:
Basic 50%, Allowances 30%, Bonus 20% → Higher PF & gratuity

4.⏱️ Working Hours, Overtime & Leave Changes

Working Hours:

  • 8–12 hours/day
  • Max 48 hours/week
  • 4-day week possible

Overtime:

  • Overtime = 2× normal wages
  • Mandatory attendance tracking

Leave:

  • Eligibility reduced to 180 days
  • Annual leave encashment
  • Special protection for adolescent workers

5. 🏭 Impact on Industry Sectors

A. 🔧 Manufacturing

Pros: Flexibility, safety, fixed-term clarity
Cons: Higher PF, gratuity, overtime cost

B. 💻 IT & ITES

Pros: More women in workforce, transparency
Cons: Salary restructuring required

C. 📦 Gig Economy & E-Commerce

Pros: Legal recognition, insurance & pensions
Cons: Higher operational cost for platforms

D. 🛍️ Retail & Hospitality

Pros: Flexible shifts, stability
Cons: Higher OT/weekend costs

E. 🧩 MSMEs

Pros: Simplified compliance & single licence
Cons: Increased cost of wages & welfare

F. 🚧 Construction

Pros: Strong safety rules
Cons: Contractor compliance challenges

6. 📝 HR, Payroll & Compliance Impact

HR Must Update:

  • Appointment/offer letters
  • Contractor & gig agreements
  • Policies (leave, OT, night shift, POSH)

Payroll Must Update:

  • PF/ESIC calculations
  • Gratuity
  • OT formulas
  • Salary breakup

Compliance Must Update:

  • Registers & filings
  • Vendor compliance tracking
  • Attendance & shift documentation

7. ⚠️ Risks of Non-Compliance

  • PF underpayment penalties

  • Backdated compliance liabilities

  • Fines for missing appointment letters

  • Litigation from workers

  • Business closure in extreme cases

Compliance is mandatory, not optional.

8. 💡 How Companies Can Reduce Cost (Legally)

Recommended:
  • Increase variable pay

  • Use reimbursements

  • Optimize workforce planning

  • Digitize attendance

  • Improve contractor compliance

Avoid shortcuts:
  • 11-month contracts

  • PF exclusion tactics

  • Allowance-heavy salary structures

9. 📂 AUR Consultant’s 7-Step Compliance Framework

Step 1: Salary Structure Audit
Step 2: Workforce Classification Audit
Step 3: Document Review
Step 4: HR Policy Updates
Step 5: Align Payroll & HRMS
Step 6: Contractor Compliance Check
Step 7: Training HR & Supervisors

🔚 Conclusion

The New Labour Codes represent a major transformation.
Companies that adapt early will:

  • Reduce risk

  • Improve employee loyalty

  • Strengthen culture

  • Stay audit-ready

Those who delay risk penalties, disputes, and disruption.

Learn more from our collection of Blogs Here.

How Do You Think the New Labour Code Will Impact Your Business?

  • Positive (50%, 2 Votes)
  • Negative (25%, 1 Votes)
  • Neutral (25%, 1 Votes)
  • Yet to Gauge (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 4

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