In a landmark move to modernize and streamline labor regulations, the Government of Gujarat has officially notified the Gujarat Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Rules, 2025. These rules fall under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code, 2020, and aim to enhance worker welfare and employer compliance through unified and digitized regulations.
🔍 What’s New?
The new rules, notified by the Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department on June 6, 2025, bring a unified framework by consolidating several previous laws related to factories, construction work, contract labor, motor transport workers, and more. These include the repeal of:
- Gujarat Factories Rules, 1963
- Building & Other Construction Workers Rules, 2003
- Contract Labour Rules, 1972
- Inter-State Migrant Workmen Rules, 1981
- Beedi & Cigar Workers Rules, 1968
- Motor Transport Workers Rules, 1965
🏢 Applicability
- Applicable across the entire state of Gujarat.
- Covers all factories, establishments, and construction sites where the State Government is the appropriate authority.
- Comes into effect from the date the OSH Code, 2020, is enforced.
📋 Key Features of the Gujarat OSH Rules, 2025
1. Digital Registration Process
- All employers of unregistered establishments must apply electronically via the Commissioner of Labour’s portalusing Form 1.
- PAN or other official IDs will be verified online.
- Registration certificate (Form 2) will be issued instantly or within 7 days of complete application.
- In case of delays, auto-generation of registration ensures no bottlenecks.
2. Mandatory Information Updates
- Employers must update ownership, management or registration details within 30 days of any change.
- For businesses closing down, a digital cancellation request with self-certification of all dues paid is required.
3. Display and Validity
- Registration certificate must be displayed prominently (physically or digitally).
- It is non-transferable and tied to the original applicant.
4. Enforcement and Monitoring
- The Registering Officer will maintain all establishment records in Form 3.
- Employers must inform about the start and end of any work using Form 4, which will be auto-shared with EPFO and ESIC.
🧾 Definitions and Safety Terms
The rules introduce and clarify several terms such as:
- “Artificial Humidification”
- “Base plate,” “Bay,” and “Brace” in scaffolding
- “Caisson” and “Cofferdam” for underwater and construction safety
- “Child” defined as anyone under 14 years of age
- “Appellate authority” and “Appellate officer” under the new framework
📣 Government’s Stance
This notification reflects Gujarat’s commitment to ensure a safer, transparent, and worker-centric labor environment. By moving to electronic systems, the state promotes compliance, transparency, and ease of doing business, aligning with national labor reforms.
Conclusion:
The Gujarat Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Rules, 2025 set a new benchmark for workplace safety and regulatory compliance. Both employers and workers stand to benefit from a more structured, fair, and efficient labor law regime.