**Executive Summary**
The Minister of Labour and Employment addresses questions regarding the implementation and draft rules of the four Labour Codes. The Central Government has implemented the four Labour Codes effective from November 21, 2025, and pre-published draft Rules on December 30, 2025, inviting stakeholder comments. A period of 45 days has been provided for submission of comments under three codes.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Implementation of Labour Codes:**
* The Central Government has implemented the four Labour Codes.
* These include the Code on Wages, 2019; the Code on Social Security, 2020 (CoSS); the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (IR Code); and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH&WC Code).
* The implementation is effective from 21.11.2025.
* **Draft Rules and Stakeholder Comments:**
* The Central Government pre-published the draft Rules under the four Labour Codes on 30.12.2025, inviting comments from stakeholders.
* A 45-day period has been allocated for submission of comments for the Code on Wages, CoSS, and OSH&WC Code.
* A 30-day period has been allocated for submission of comments for the Industrial Relations Code (IR Code).
* **Engagement with Stakeholders:**
* The four Labour Codes were enacted after extensive consultations with stakeholders, including Central Trade Unions.
* Stakeholders' comments and concerns were acknowledged and examined prior to enactment.
* The Ministry of Labour and Employment continues to engage with stakeholders to ensure smooth and effective implementation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholders: Employers, Employees, Central Trade Unions, Ministry of Labour and Employment**
**Impact**
* Employers are affected by the new rules and compliance requirements under the Labour Codes.
* Employees are affected by the new regulations in relation to wages, social security, industrial relations, and working conditions.
* Central Trade Unions' comments are concerns are taken into consideration.
* The Ministry is responsible for the implementation and stakeholder engagement to ensure smooth adoption of the labour codes.
**Action Required**
* Employers must understand and prepare for compliance with the new Labour Codes.
* Employees should familiarize themselves with the changes in their rights and responsibilities under the new Labour Codes.
* Central Trade Unions are to give feedback and consult the stakeholders involved.
* The Ministry is to continue engaging with the stakeholders.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Labour and Employment: Indian government ministry responsible for labor policy
Four Labour Codes: Refers to the collective set of labor codes
Code on Wages, 2019: One of the four labour codes
Code on Social Security, 2020 (CoSS): One of the four labour codes
Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (IR Code): One of the four labour codes
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 319
TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
RULES FOR LABOUR CODES
319. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to
state:
(a)whether it is a fact that the Government has prepublished the draft
Rules for the four Labour Codes and if so, the details thereof;
(b)whether the Government has sought public response to it by giving
45 days' time and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons
therefor;
(c)whether it is also a fact that many Central Trade Unions have called
for general strike protesting against the said move;
(d)if so, whether the Government is considering to have further talks
with all the Central Trade Unions; and
(e)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) to (e): The Central Government has implemented the four Labour
Codes, namely the Code on Wages, 2019; the Code on Social Security,
2020 (CoSS); the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (IR Code); and the
Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020
(OSH&WC Code), with effect from 21.11.2025. Further, the Central
Government has pre-published the draft Rules under the four Labour
Codes on 30.12.2025, inviting comments from stakeholders. A period of
45 days has been provided for submission of comments under three
Codes, namely the Code on Wages, 2019, the CoSS, 2020 and the
OSH&WC Code, 2020 whereas a period of 30 days has been prescribed
under the IR Code, 2020. The four Labour Codes were enacted after
extensive consultations with all stakeholders, including Central Trade
Unions. The comments and concerns raised by stakeholders were duly
acknowledged and examined prior to the enactment of the four Labour
Codes. The Ministry of Labour and Employment continues to engage
with stakeholders, including Central Trade Unions, to ensure the
smooth and effective implementation of the Codes.
*****