The Government of Tamil Nadu, through its Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department, has issued two key notifications on June 18th 2025 announcing amendments to labour-related regulations under the Building and Other Construction Workers Act and the Factories Act.
1. Construction Workers’ Rules Amended to Include Migrant Worker Protections
As per G.O. Ms. No. 49 (SRO A-16/2025), the Tamil Nadu Government amended the Tamil Nadu Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2006.
- What’s New:
In Rule 241(3), the law now explicitly includes reference to the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979. - Impact:
This ensures migrant construction workers in Tamil Nadu are legally covered for safety, employment terms, and welfare, in line with both the Contract Labour Act (1970) and the Migrant Workmen Act (1979).
2. Workforce Limit Relaxed for Fireworks Factories
In a separate move, under G.O. Ms. No. 50 (SRO A-17/2025), a draft amendment has been proposed to Rule 4(6) of the Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950.
- Proposed Change:
The amendment allows fireworks factories to employ up to 15% more workers than the maximum limit specified in their licence under the Explosives Act, 1884 and Explosives Rules, 2008. - Consultation Period:
This draft is open for public objection or suggestion for 45 days from the date of publication in the Gazette which is August 2, 2025. - How to Respond:
Comments should be sent in duplicate to the Secretary to Government, Labour Welfare Department, via the Director of Industrial Safety and Health, Chennai.
These amendments are part of Tamil Nadu’s ongoing efforts to update labour laws for better worker protection and industrial growth, especially in sectors employing high-risk or vulnerable groups such as migrant labourers and fireworks factory workers.
