Labour Law Reforms in India
A national program on labour law reforms in India discussed transparency, stakeholder consultation, and the need for state-level capacity building. Experts stressed balancing worker welfare with economic competitiveness.
Dr. Manoj Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Law & Justice, emphasized stakeholder consultation and transparency in the law-making process, while also highlighting the need for capacity building at the state level. “Reforms must be backed by transparency and extensive consultation, which is the cornerstone of our law-making process,” he noted. Shri K.P. Mahadevaswamy, Chairman SCOPE & CMD NBCC, highlighted the role of PSUs in effective implementation. “Public Sector Undertakings carry a special responsibility in ensuring compliance with labour laws in the larger national interest,” he said.
The conference came at a crucial time, as the four New Labour Codes enacted between 2019 and 2020 await implementation. Although designed to promote inclusive growth and ease of doing business, their rollout has been delayed due to states’ preparedness and concerns raised by stakeholders. With the rise of gig and platform workers and global trade pressures, reforms are once again seen as a necessary tool for protecting workers and boosting competitiveness.
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Three technical sessions followed, chaired by Shri Ayush Gupta, Director (HR), GAIL India; Shri A.K. Sharma, Director (Personnel), SJVN Ltd.; and Shri R.P. Singh, Director (HR & Legal), IFFCO. Each session, addressed by senior functionaries of leading Maharatna and Navratna PSUs, brought together speakers from the corporate sector, academia, research bodies, and trade unions. Shri Gupta observed that the Codes must be “implemented in a spirit that balances efficiency with welfare.” Shri Sharma added that “timely reforms will help industries remain competitive while safeguarding workers’ rights,” while Shri Singh stressed the importance of “an inclusive action plan reflecting the voices of all stakeholders.”
While industry and policy voices pressed for early implementation, trade unions expressed reservations. The BMS representative supported immediate rollout of the Code on Wages and the Code on Social Security while seeking review of the other two Codes, whereas AITUC called for a review of all four. A broad consensus emerged on the need to devise a practical action plan that accommodates diverse perspectives while safeguarding the larger interests of the economy and the nation.
The program saw wide participation from Maharatna and Navratna PSUs including GAIL, Powergrid, NHPC, SJVN, NBCC, HAL, BEML, CONCOR, CEL, as well as leading banks and cooperatives such as Central Bank of India, Union Bank, Bank of Baroda, IFFCO, and Indian Potash. Shri Alok Kumar, Director, Rightmen Services & Managing Partner, THS – The Law Firm, welcomed the dignitaries, while Shri Vinod Behari, CEO, Rightmen Services India, curated the event and delivered the vote of thanks.