In a significant move toward inclusive welfare reform, the Administrator of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep has issued a draft notification of the Social Security (Lakshadweep) Rules, 2025 under the Code on Social Security, 2020. The Department of Labour, Employment & Training has invited public comments and suggestions within 45 days from the date of the notice. SEPTEMBER 9TH 2025.
Issued with the approval of the Hon’ble Administrator , the draft rules have been placed in the public domain for stakeholder consultation, marking a step towards the effective implementation of the Social Security Code in the UT.
📌 Key Details of the Draft Notification
- Title: The Social Security (Lakshadweep) Rules, 2025
- Applicability: Entire Union Territory of Lakshadweep
- Effective Date: From the date of final publication in the Official Gazette
- Feedback Deadline: Within 45 days, before 5:00 PM, via email or registered post
🛡️ Highlights of the Draft Rules
🔹 Exemptions for Establishments (Chapters III & IV)
Employers whose establishments fall under Chapters III (EPF) and IV (ESI) may apply electronically to exit the schemes, subject to:
- Written consent from the majority of employees
- Five-year mandatory coverage before applying for exit
- Clearance of all statutory dues and returns
- Decision on application to be taken within 60 days
- If no decision is made in that period, approval is deemed granted
👪 Social Security for Dependant Parents
- Monthly income threshold for dependent parents (including in-laws of women employees): ₹9,000
- Ensures financial criteria for eligibility under social security schemes
🏢 Registration and Cancellation of Establishments
Registration Process:
- Must apply electronically via the Shram Suvidha Portal
- PAN and identity verification mandatory
- Auto-registration if approval not granted within 7 days
Cancellation Process:
- For establishments undergoing closure
- Must clear all dues and submit self-certification
- Registration may expire after 24 months of non-compliance
- Wrongful registrations are liable for cancellation after show cause notice
⚖️ Compounding of Offences (Section 138)
- Compounding notice to be issued electronically in Form-XXIV
- Payment of compounding amount within 15 days
- Certificate of composition to be issued within 10 days
- Failure to pay leads to prosecution
- Post-prosecution compounding permissible via court under CrPC Section 320
💼 Employment Monitoring and Career Centres
The UT Administration may:
- Declare existing Employment Exchanges as Career Centres
- Partner with local bodies or private agencies
- Offer services such as:
- Job-matching
- Career counselling
- Vocational training
- Job fairs and surveys
- Support for self-employment
Career Centres aim to act as employment information hubs for both employers and job seekers.
👷♂️ Welfare for Unorganised, Gig and Platform Workers
Key Provisions:
- Self-registration mandatory via Central Government portal (using Aadhaar and OTP)
- Unique Registration Number to be issued upon registration
- Workers must regularly update details like occupation, address, and skills to remain eligible for benefits
- Responsibility to register lies with:
- Lakshadweep Administration
- Building Workers Welfare Boards
- Employers, Contractors, and Aggregators
Gig and Platform Workers:
- Must register with specific details like platform engagement history
- Registration/update charges may be shared between Government, aggregators, or workers
- Non-updated profiles may lose eligibility for benefits
🔁 Deduplication and Data Management
- The Directorate General of Labour Welfare will periodically deduplicate records
- This ensures each worker receives accurate and non-duplicated benefits
📨 Public Participation Invited
The draft rules are open to feedback from:
- Citizens
- Trade unions
- Employers
- Worker representatives
- Civil society organisations
Mode of Submission:
- Registered post, or
- Email to the address provided in the official notice
Deadline: Within 45 days from the date of issuance before 05:00 PM
💬 Final Words
The Social Security (Lakshadweep) Rules, 2025 aim to extend social protection to traditionally excluded sectors like unorganised, gig, and platform workers while streamlining employer obligations. The draft rules reflect a progressive shift toward digital governance, accountability, and inclusive growth.
Stakeholders are encouraged to review and respond to ensure the final rules are practical, inclusive, and effective in safeguarding the future of Lakshadweep’s workforce.