In a significant move toward modernizing India’s labour regulatory framework, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has officially notified the commencement of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code, 2020.
According to the notification (S.O. 5321(E)) issued in New Delhi on 21 November 2025, the Central Government has exercised the powers granted under Section 1(2) of the OSHWC Code to bring the legislation into force with immediate effect.
The enforcement of this Code marks a crucial milestone in India’s labour reforms journey, aimed at ensuring safer workplaces, simplifying compliance mechanisms, and enhancing worker welfare across industries.
What the OSHWC Code 2020 Aims to Achieve
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 consolidates and rationalizes 13 central labour laws relating to safety, health, and working conditions. These include the Factories Act, Mines Act, Plantations Labour Act, Contract Labour Act, Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, and several others.
With the Code now in force, the government aims to:
✔ Strengthen Worker Safety and Health
The Code introduces clear standards for workplace safety, hazard management, working hours, and facilities for employees, including free annual health check-ups and mandatory appointment letters for transparency.
✔ Streamline Compliance for Establishments
Multiple registrations and licenses are replaced with one registration and a single licence, making it easier for companies to comply with labour laws. Electronic records, online returns, and algorithm-based inspections ensure transparency and reduce administrative burdens.
✔ Expand Protection to More Workers
The Code widens the definition of workers—including inter-state migrants, gig workers in certain sectors, and those in hazardous work environments—ensuring broader access to safety and welfare measures.
✔ Support Gender-Inclusive Workplaces
Women are now permitted to work across all sectors and during night shifts, subject to safety measures and their consent, promoting equality and workforce participation.
A Key Pillar of India’s Labour Law Modernisation
The OSHWC Code is one of the four major Labour Codes that seek to overhaul India’s labour landscape. By replacing fragmented laws with a unified, digitally enabled framework, the government aims to create a system that:
- Protects every worker’s health, safety, and dignity
- Enhances ease of doing business
- Encourages formalisation and transparency
- Supports environmentally and socially responsible industrial growth
The notification of the Code’s implementation marks a major step toward realising these objectives.
Conclusion
The enforcement of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, effective 21 November 2025, represents a defining moment in India’s labour reforms. By prioritizing safety, simplifying compliance, and modernising workplace regulations, the government has taken a decisive step toward a more secure and prosperous labour environment.