This document summarizes the Indian government's responses to questions regarding the Indian Labour Conference (ILC), the consultation process for the Labour Codes, labour inspections, and trade union recognition.
The government clarified that while the 46th ILC session was held in July 2015, tripartite consultations involving government, employers, and workers continue to occur periodically to discuss important labor policies.
Regarding the recently passed Labour Codes, the government asserts that widespread consultations were conducted, including nine tripartite consultations held between March 2015 and November 2019, involving Central Trade Unions, Employers Associations, and State Governments. Stakeholders participated and provided suggestions on various aspects of the Labour Codes.
While India has not ratified ILO Convention No. 48, 1935, it has ratified ILO Convention No. 81, 1947, concerning labour inspection and maintains a legal and institutional framework for labour inspections.
Finally, the government states that the Trade Unions Act, 1926, has been incorporated into the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, which now provides for the recognition of trade unions.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Labour Conference: A tripartite forum for discussion between the Government, employers, and workers on labour policies.
Labour Codes: A set of four codes consolidating various labour laws in India.
International Labour Organizations: A United Nations agency dealing with labour issues.
New Delhi: The location where the 46th Session of the Indian Labour Conference was held.
Labour Inspection Convention C81, 1947: An ILO convention regarding labour inspections, ratified by India.
Trade Unions Act, 1926: An Indian law related to trade unions.
Industrial Relations Code, 2020: A code that subsumed the Trade Unions Act, 1926, providing for recognition of trade unions.
SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE: Minister of State for Labour and Employment
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2457
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
INDIAN LABOUR CONFERENCE
2457. SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to
state:
(a)whether the Government is planning to convene the annual
tripartite Indian Labour Conference (ILC), as last conference held
in 2017, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor
along with bypassing the consultation with the ILC;
(b)whether the recently passed Labour Codes were consulted with
ILC, if so, the details thereof along with consultation report and if
not, the reasons therefor;
(c)whether the Government is planning for a labour inspection, as per
the ILO’s convention on labour inspection, C. 48, 1947 and if so, the
details thereof; and
(d)whether the Government is considering the enactment of any
legislation for mandating the recognition of trade union in light of
the constitutional guarantee of the right to organize and
collectivize Article 19(1)(c) and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a): The 46th Session of the Indian Labour Conference (ILC) was
held in New Delhi from 20-21 July, 2015. The Government has been
holding tripartite consultations involving representatives of the
Government, employers, and workers to deliberate on important
labour policies/issues from time to time.
(b): There have been widespread consultations while finalizing all
4 Labour Codes including nine tripartite consultations which were
undertaken on 10.03.2015, 13.04.2015, 06.05.2015, 14.07.2015,
06.10.2015, 04.10.2017, 22.11.2018, 27.11.2018 and 05.11.2019
Contd..2/-:: 2 ::
inviting all Central Trade Unions, Employers’ Associations and State
Governments. The stakeholders had participated in the afore-said
tripartite meetings and gave suggestions on various aspects of
Labour Codes.
(c): India has not ratified International Labour Organization’s (ILO)
Convention No. 48, 1935. However, as regards, Labour Inspection
Convention (C-81), 1947 is concerned, the same has been ratified
by India and has an established legal and institutional framework
for labour inspections.
(d): The Trade Unions Act, 1926 has been subsumed into the
Industrial Relations Code, 2020, which provides for recognition of
trade unions.
*****