Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Centre Sets October 31 Target for Labour Code Rules
The government wants every state and Union Territory to publish rules for new labour codes by October 31.
These rules explain how the codes will work in each place.
Almost every state has already shared draft rules for feedback.
Ten states and Union Territories have finished publishing their final rules.
One state has not yet shared its draft rules.
The four codes replace 29 older labour laws.
They cover wages, social security, workplace safety, and healthcare.
The government also plans to answer common questions and discuss a national minimum wage floor.
The Centre expects all states and Union Territories to publish labour-code rules by October 31.
All but one state have pre-published rules for stakeholder suggestions and feedback.
Ten states and Union Territories have published their final rules so far.
The four labour codes replace 29 existing labour laws and expand protections for workers.
A committee is discussing a statutory national floor wage, while master FAQs are also planned.
- Who
- The Central government, states and Union Territories, and Labour Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar are involved.
- What
- States and Union Territories are expected to publish rules implementing four new labour codes.
- When
- The target date is October 31; the Labour Secretary made the statement on Thursday.
- Where
- Across India’s states and Union Territories; the announcement was made at a PHD Chamber of Commerce seminar.
- Why
- The rules are needed for the new labour codes to take effect at the state level.
- Deadline
- October 31
- Draft rules
- All but one state and Union Territory have pre-published rules for feedback.
- Final rules
- Ten states and Union Territories have published final rules.
- Labour codes
- Code on Wages; Industrial Relations Code; Code on Social Security; and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code.
- Existing laws replaced
- The four codes subsume 29 existing labour laws.
- Worker coverage
- The social security code extends benefits to all workers, including gig and platform workers.
- Planned guidance
- The Labour Ministry will release master FAQs in the coming days.