**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Labour & Employment held a two-day Regional Conference in Bhubaneswar on February 17, 2026, bringing together Labour, Employment, and Industry Secretaries from various States/UTs. The conference, fourth in a series of five, aimed to facilitate smooth implementation of the four Labour Codes and address issues concerning ESIC, EPFO, and the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY). Discussions focused on finalizing rules, strengthening IT systems, and ensuring effective implementation of the Labour Codes across the country.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Conference Overview:**
* The conference was the fourth in a series of five regional conferences planned by the Ministry.
* It involved Labour, Employment, and Industry Secretaries of States/UTs.
* The goal was to facilitate the implementation of the four Labour Codes.
* **Labour Codes Implementation:**
* The Labour Codes consolidate multiple central labour laws into four codes.
* They streamline the regulatory structure and enhance worker welfare.
* The Codes reduce complexities while reinforcing worker protections.
* IT-enabled systems such as single registration, single license, and single return are emphasized.
* **Key Provisions and Focus Areas:**
* Mandatory appointment letters specifying terms and conditions of service are required.
* Discrimination and exploitation are prohibited.
* Minimum wages are universalized.
* A statutory floor wage is introduced.
* Compliance burdens are eased, including compounding of offenses.
* **State/UT Actions:**
* States/UTs are urged to expedite the finalization of Rules under the Labour Codes.
* They should make effective use of Ministry FAQs and handbooks.
* States/UTs should avoid duplication with provisions under Shops and Establishments Acts.
* Active use of the PMVBRY dashboard is encouraged.
* States/UTs should strengthen Centre-State coordination to expand ESIC coverage.
* They are encouraged to act as model employers by ensuring minimum wages, timely payment of wages, and provision of social security benefits.
* **IT Preparedness:**
* The conference included discussions on strengthening and upgrading IT systems at both Central and State levels.
* Integration of State IT platforms with the Central digital framework was explored.
* **Capacity Building:**
* VVGNLI is conducting capacity-building programmes under the Labour Codes.
* States/UTs are encouraged to nominate representatives as master trainers.
* **Other Discussions:**
* The conference served as a platform for deliberating on Rules and Regulations.
* It involved identifying gaps and areas of divergence.
* It focused on expediting statutory notifications and discussing the establishment of Boards, Funds, and other institutional mechanisms.
* The need for capacity building of field-level functionaries and enhancing awareness among stakeholders was emphasized.
**Impact Analysis**
**States/UTs**
* **Impact:** Required to implement the Labour Codes, finalize rules, upgrade IT systems, and ensure compliance.
* **Action Required:** Expedite rule finalization, strengthen IT infrastructure, nominate master trainers for capacity building, act as model employers, and ensure awareness among stakeholders.
**Workers**
* **Impact:** Increased protection and welfare through measures such as mandatory appointment letters, prohibition of discrimination, universalization of minimum wages, and social security benefits.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of their rights and entitlements under the Labour Codes and report any violations.
**Employers**
* **Impact:** Need to comply with new regulations under the Labour Codes, including providing appointment letters, ensuring minimum wages, and providing social security benefits.
* **Action Required:** Familiarize themselves with the new regulations, update their HR policies, and ensure compliance with the Labour Codes.
**Ministry of Labour & Employment**
* **Impact:** Responsible for facilitating the implementation of the Labour Codes and providing support to States/UTs.
* **Action Required:** Provide guidance and resources to States/UTs, monitor the implementation of the Labour Codes, and address any challenges or issues that arise.
Key Entities Referenced
Labour Codes: Consolidated labour laws aimed at streamlining regulations, enhancing worker welfare, and promoting ease of doing business.
Ministry of Labour & Employment: The central ministry responsible for labor policy and implementation, including the Labour Codes.
States/UTs: Indian states and union territories are integral to the implementation and integration of the Labour Codes and related systems.
Bhubaneswar: The city where the Regional Conference was held.
Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY): A scheme for employment generation
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Two-day Regional Conference of Labour &
Employment and Industry Secretaries of
States/UTs inaugurated in Bhubaneswar on 17th
February 2026
Posted On: 17 FEB 2026 3:25PM by PIB Delhi
Shri Ganesh Ram SinghKhuntia, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Labour and Employees’ State
Insurance, Government of Odisha, inaugurated a two-day Regional Level Conference of Labour &
Employment and Industry Secretaries of States/UTs in Bhubaneswar today. Union Secretary, Ministry of
Labour & Employment, Ms. Vandana Gurnani, Senior Officers of Ministry of Labour & Employment,
States Governments of Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO),
Central Labour Commissioners and VV Giri National Labour Institute (VVGNLI) were also present on
the occasion.
The conference marked the fourth in a series of five regional conferences planned by the Ministry at
different locations across the country, covering States/UTs and key stakeholders, with the objective to
facilitate smooth implementation of the four Labour Codes and deliberating on issues concerning ESIC,
EPFO and the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).
In his address, Shri Ganesh Ram SinghKhuntia welcomed the delegates and noted that the country is at a
significant juncture with the Labour Codes having been brought into effect. He expressed gratitude to the
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for ushering in the transformative labour reforms and providing a
forward-looking framework for strengthening labour governance. He also referred to Odisha’s preparatory
steps towards timely implementation, including publication of draft rules.He further stated that the State Government is implementing welfare schemes for construction workers,
unorganised workers and migrant workers, which have been acknowledged by the Parliamentary Standing
Committee. Emphasising the broader objective of ensuring employment opportunities for jobseekers and
social justice for all workers, he underlined the importance of effective implementation of the Labour
Codes and expressed hope that the deliberations would lead to fruitful discussions and exchange of
experiences for further strengthening workers’ welfare.
Ms. Vandana Gurnani, Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, while setting the context of the
Conference, described the Labour Codes as a historic reform designed to align India’s labour framework
with evolving national and global economic dynamics. She stated that the consolidation of multiple central
labour laws into four Codes streamlines the regulatory structure, enhances workers’ welfare with ease of
doing business, and supports employment generation and economic growth.
She highlighted that the Codes reduce complexities while reinforcing worker protections through
measures such as mandatory appointment letters specifying terms and conditions of service, prohibition of
discrimination and exploitation, universalisation of minimum wages beyond scheduled employments,
universalisation of social security and the introduction of a statutory floor wage notified by the Central
Government below which States cannot fix minimum wages. She also noted the easing of compliance
burdens, including the provision for compounding of offences.
She further underlined the importance of IT-enabled systems such as single registration, single licence and
single return to ensure effective, citizen- and business-centric implementation, with flexibility for
States/UTs to integrate with Central systems. She underscored that VVGNLI is conducting a series of
capacity-building programmes under the Labour Codes and encouraged States/UTs to nominate
representatives as master trainers to further disseminate knowledge and facilitate training at the State
level.
She also urged States/UTs to expedite the finalisation of Rules, make effective use of the Ministry’s FAQs
and handbook on the Codes, avoid duplication or overlap with provisions under the Shops and
Establishments Acts, actively utilise the PMVBRY dashboard, and strengthen Centre–State coordination
to expand ESIC coverage and medical infrastructure through convergence with State health facilities and
PMJAY. She called upon States to act as model employers by ensuring minimum wages, timely payment
of wages and provision of social security benefits to workers and employees engaged in State
establishments, including those engaged through contractors.
The inaugural session was followed by detailed presentations by senior officers of the Ministry and the
States/UTs outlining the progress made in finalizing Rules under the new Labour Codes and the status of
IT preparedness. Comprehensive discussions were held on key aspects relating to the drafting and
notification of Rules, strengthening and upgrading IT systems at both Central and State levels in alignment
with the provisions of the Codes, and exploring the integration of State IT platforms with the Central
digital framework.
The conference, attended by senior officials from the Ministry and States/UTs, served as an important
platform for deliberating on Rules and Regulations, identifying gaps and areas of divergence, expediting
statutory notifications, and discussing the establishment of Boards, Funds, and other institutional
mechanisms envisaged under the Codes. Further, the conference emphasized the need for capacity
building of field-level functionaries and enhancing awareness among States/UTs and other stakeholders
regarding the objectives, structure, and implementation roadmap of the Labour Codes.
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