**Executive Summary**
On January 7, 2026, the Union Minister of Labour & Employment virtually inaugurated a two-day Regional Level Conference in Goa. This conference marked the first of six regional conferences aimed at facilitating the smooth implementation of the four Labour Codes, addressing concerns of ESIC, EPFO, and PMVBRY. The implementation of these Labour Codes took effect from November 21, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Conference Overview:**
* Series of six regional conferences across India.
* Objective: Facilitate the implementation of the four Labour Codes.
* Discussions on ESIC, EPFO, and Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).
* **Labour Code Implementation:**
* Implemented effective November 21, 2025.
* Consolidates 29 existing labor laws.
* Rationalization of existing Labour laws to align with the new Labour Codes.
* **Progressive Provisions:**
* Annual health check-ups for workers.
* Social security coverage for workers in hazardous activities, even in single-worker establishments.
* Mandatory issuance of appointment letters.
* Reduced gratuity eligibility period to one year.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* Draft rules pre-published on December 30, 2025, for provisions requiring rules.
* Issuance of FAQs handbook.
* Capacity-building programs through VVGNLI.
* Draft inspection scheme for states.
* Digital interventions through Shram Suvidha and Samadhan portals.
* **State Involvement:**
* States urged to notify their respective Rules at the earliest, after consulting their law department.
* States encouraged to participate in outreach under PMVBRY.
* States to address overlaps with Shops and Establishments Acts.
**Impact Analysis**
**States/UTs**
* **Impact:** Requires amending existing labour legislations to align with the four Labour Codes, and consulting with their law departments to notify respective Rules.
* **Action Required:** Draft and notify Rules for the Labour Codes, participate in consultations, and address overlaps with existing Acts.
**Employees/Workers**
* **Impact:** Benefit from progressive provisions like annual health check-ups, social security coverage, and reduced gratuity eligibility.
* **Action Required:** Understand their rights and benefits under the new Labour Codes.
**Ministry of Labour & Employment**
* **Impact:** Responsible for facilitating smoother implementation and issuing FAQs.
* **Action Required:** Continue to promote the Labour Codes, conduct capacity-building programs, and ensure digital platform functionality.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Labour & Employment: The primary government body organizing the conference and involved in implementing the Labour Codes.
Labour Codes: Refers to the four consolidated labour codes, aimed at reforming labour laws, which are the central focus of the conference.
Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY): A scheme discussed at the conference for promoting employment.
Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO): An organization, issues concerning which were discussed at the conference.
Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC): An organization, issues concerning which were discussed at the conference.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Union Labour & Employment Minister
Inaugurates Two-day Regional Level Conference
at Goa on 7th January
प्रव तथ: 07 JAN 2026 5:34PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, virtually
inaugurated a two-day Regional Level Conference at Goa on 7th January 2026. The conference marked the
first in a series of six regional conferences planned by the Ministry of Labour & Employment at different
locations across the country, covering all States/UTs and key stakeholders, with the objective to facilitate
smooth implementation of the four Labour Codes and deliberating on related issues concerning
Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and
the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).
Hon’ble Union Minister Dr. @mansukhmandviya inaugurated the two-day
Regional Conference of Labour & Employment and Industry Secretaries of
States/UTs via video conferencing. #LabourWelfare #MoLE pic.twitter.com/E2jK2
oRfT9
— Ministry of Labour & Employment, GoI (@LabourMinistry) January 7, 2026The Union Minister of Labour & Employment addressed the event through Video conference. He
appreciated States for enthusiastically undertaking exercise in amending their existing labour legislations
to align them with the provisions of the four Labour Codes, before enforcement of Codes, reflecting a
shared commitment to labour reforms and welfare. With improved understanding of labour issues and a
renewed focus on workers’ well-being, the Codes have been implemented with effect from 21 November
2025. Stakeholders have widely welcomed the Government’s decision, particularly noting key progressive
provisions such as annual health check-ups, social security coverage for workers engaged in hazardous
activities even in establishments with a single worker, mandatory issuance of appointment letters, and the
reduced eligibility period for gratuity to one year from the earlier requirement of five years. Going
forward, the Centre and States will work in close coordination to ensure effective implementation of the
Codes, promoting equity and equality in workers’ welfare and benefits. This landmark labour reform has
also received positive acknowledgement from the international media, including Global Times and The
Economist. States are further urged to participate with focused attention in ongoing discussions to address
emerging issues, enabling timely deliberation and effective implementation of the Labour Codes.
Addressing the gathering, Ms. Vandana Gurnani, Union Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment,
informed that the four Labour Codes have been implemented by rationalising 29 existing labour laws with
the objective of simplifying compliance and strengthening worker welfare, and incorporate several
progressive measures such as a web-based inspection system, and universalisation of social security
coverage. The Central Government has pre-published the draft Rules on 30 December 2025 , while
provisions not requiring Rules have come into force from 21 November 2025. She urged States to notify
their respective Rules at the earliest, after consulting their law department. To facilitate smoother
implementation, the Ministry has issued a FAQs handbook, initiated capacity-building programmes
through V.V. Giri National Labour Institute (VVGNLI), and prepared a draft inspection scheme for sharing
with States, alongside major digital interventions through the Shram Suvidha and Samadhan portals
requiring seamless API integration. States are also encouraged to participate in outreach under PMVBRY,
address overlaps with Shops and Establishments Acts through further deliberations, and leverage
expanded ESIC coverage under the Codes, including for gig and platform workers, while exploring
inclusion of contract and outsourced workers under ESI to set an example as model employers.The conference would act as a platform to deliberate on Rules and Regulations, identify gaps and
divergences, expedite issuance of statutory notifications, and discuss the constitution of Boards, Funds and
related institutional mechanisms. Consultations were also held on schemes to be formulated under the four
Labour Codes, alongside discussions on IT systems and digital platforms for effective implementation.
The Conference would further focus on capacity building of field-level functionaries and promoting
awareness among States/UTs and other stakeholders on the objectives and implementation framework of
the Labour Codes.
Senior Officers of the Ministry and States/UTs attended the Conference and actively participated.
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Rini Choudhury/Anjelina Alexander(रलीज़ आईडी: 2212132) आगंतुक पटल : 9026
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