Event Report
Organised by: Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI), Centre for Work and Welfare
Date: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Platform: Zoom | YouTube Live
Introduction
The Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI), in collaboration with its research facility – “Centre for Work and Welfare,” organised a webinar on “Inside the Four Labour Codes” for the ‘IMPRI WebPolicyTalk; Employment Debate’ series. In this webinar, discussion revolved around analysis of the four labor codes in India: Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Code on Social Security, and Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code.
The context in which this discussion took place was in relation to labour reforms in India, wherein a complex legal regime is to be simplified and integrated through a uniform and simplified legal structure. It hosted experts from various disciplines of labour laws and trade unionism, where they could deliberate on what is intended through labour codes in India, what challenges are involved in its implementation process, and its resultant effect on labor and employers.
Background
In the last three decades, the global the discussion opened with the context of where the four labor codes stood vis-à-vis labor reform provisions in India. The consolidation of 29 labor laws into four labor codes was highlighted as part of efforts to ease compliance with labor regulations and improve ease of business. However, it was acknowledged that having labor codes does not necessarily fix problems such as informality, challenges of labor regulation, and wage inequality.
The meeting highlighted that India’s labor market remains largely characterized by informal and unorganized sector employment, making it challenging for labor sector reforms to be implemented. It was cited that for the labor codes to achieve their objectives, it would not only be a matter of legislative intentions but also an issue of institutional capacity and enforcement at the central and state levels.
Opening Remarks by the Chair
The session was moderated by Prof. Suchita Krishnaprasad, who began the discussion by introducing the agenda of the session. While launching the session, she pointed out the need for analysis of the labor codes not in terms of what they are, but what they are likely to be and how they are intended to operate in practice.
The Chair reported that the objective of this session was to ensure a balancing discussion on opportunities and challenges offered through these labour codes, especially concerning labour rights, compliance, and industrial relationships.
Panel Discussion: Speaker Contributions and Key Interventions
Chairing the Session and Framing the Discussion
Prof. Suchita Krishnaprasad, a researcher on labour policy and employment relations and a professor who chaired the session and guided it. In the beginning of the session, she stated the need to analyze the four labour codes not only in terms of the legislation but also in terms of the role they would play in influencing the labour relations in India. She also pointed out the prevalence of informality in the labour market of India and the challenges it creates in dealing with the labour codes in a uniform manner. She also made it clear in the beginning of the session that it was intended to present a balanced view on the challenges and opportunities created by the labour codes.
Regulation of Wages and its Administration under the Wage Code
Prof. Vibhuti Patel, a feminist economist and social scientist, who has been actively engaged with labor studies and social policy, addressed the Code on Wages and its implications for wage regulation. She pointed towards the income inequalities on the basis of wage rates and mentioned that the efficacy of minimum wage measures is dependent on the capacity to enforce the Code. She also argued that the dispersal of workers on a large scale, informal employment, and non-standard forms of employment can weaken the effect of measures imposed on wage regulation. According to her, the Code on Wages would highly rely on the readiness of institutions for its implementation at the ground level.
Social Security Provisions and Vulnerable Workers
Mr. Sandeep Chachra from ActionAid Association with such expertise on labor rights and social justice spoke about the Code on Social Security, keeping in mind the informal and unorganized sector, gig, and platform workers. He pointed out that “While we welcome the far-reaching expansion of social security as envisioned in this code, our assessment is that making such social security available is contingent on registration systems and funding capacities. Unless such capacities are built for its effective implementation, ‘Social Security’ itself could become a ‘symbolic’ concept for many sections of our people.”
Industrial Relations Framework and Collective Bargaining
Dr. R. Krishnamurthy, an industrial relations expert, gave a historical insight into labor management relations in the country. He discussed how labor management relations in India have always been governed by a regulatory mechanism in relation to industry, and while simplification can be mistaken for labor reform, it shouldn’t result in a weakening of existing institutional safeguards in labor management relations.
Industrial Relations in Historical Perspective
Dr. R. Krishnamurthy, an expert in industrial relations, provided a historical perspective on labour-management relations in India. He reflected on how regulatory frameworks have traditionally shaped industrial relations and cautioned that while simplification is often presented as reform, it should not weaken established mechanisms for worker representation and dispute resolution. He stressed the importance of preserving institutional safeguards within the new labour code framework to maintain balanced industrial relations.
Trade Union Perspectives on Labour Code Reforms
Dr. Vivek Monteiro, who is also an experienced trade union leader, raised issues on behalf of the trade union. The issues were raised in the context of procedural requirements in the Industrial Relations Code with respect to formation, recognition, or strike procedure. Dr. Monteiro emphasized the fact that procedural issues might act as an obstruction for workers in exercising their trade union rights.
Occupational Safety, Health and Enforcement Mechanisms
Dr. Rahul Suresh Sapkal, who is a researcher dealing with labor rights and occupational safety, spoke about the code of Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions. He stressed that better outcomes regarding Occupational Safety and Health can only be expected through effective inspection and enforcement and accountability of employers. Dilution of inspection facilities could undermine the purpose of OSH Code, especially in hazardous sectors and areas where migrant workers are employed, he stated.
Labour Reforms and Broader Economic Implications
Prof. Ritu Dewan, a development economist specializing in labour market studies and employment policies, spoke about the implications of these labour codes on a macro or total economic level. She spoke about her area of interest, which is where labour reforms intersect with topics like migration, informality, and safety. She started by saying that while there is a unified code on Occupational Safety and Health, it is dependent on implementation capacity.
Concluding Observations
There were concluding remarks on the importance of the four labor codes, which had been a significant change in the regulation of the Indian labor system. It was noted by the speakers during the panel session that although the four labor codes are intended to make the rules simpler, its success depends entirely on its successful implementation. All speakers supported the need for further discussions regarding employment policy, which should be sustainable.
Acknowledgement: This report was written by Amishi Sinha, an intern at IMPRI
