Marking a landmark reform in labour legislation, the government on Friday (November 21) notified all four Labour Codes, introducing sweeping changes bringing in universal social security for gig workers, ensuring compulsory appointment letters for all employees, and statutory minimum wages with assured timely payment across sectors.

The four Labour Codes — the Code of Wages (2019, Industrial Relations Code (2020), Code on Social Security (2020) and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020) — effective Friday, replace 29 fragmented laws with a unified, modern framework.

Benefits of reforms

The reforms include expanded rights and safety for women, including night-shift work, free annual health check-ups for workers aged over 40 years, pan-India ESIC coverage including

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