India Enacts Four New Labour Codes effective to Simplify and Streamline Labour Laws, Replaces 29 Central Laws

India has officially rolled out all four labour codes, replacing 29 central labour laws. 

The new framework introduces a national minimum wage, mandatory appointment letters for workers, simpler compliance architecture for businesses, and unified safety standards across workplaces.

It also brings gig and platform workers into the formal social-security net for the first time and eases portability of benefits. Women’s employment options receive a boost with provisions for safer night-shift work, while MSMEs get relief via reduced compliance burdens.

The reform aims to modernise labour governance and deliver a clearer legal regime for both workers and employers.