The four Labour Codes came into force on 21 November 2025. Together they replaced 29 Central labour laws. The Central Government and most States have since notified their Rules.
| Code | Main laws it replaced |
|---|---|
| Code on Wages, 2019 | Payment of Wages Act, Minimum Wages Act, Payment of Bonus Act, Equal Remuneration Act |
| Industrial Relations Code, 2020 | Industrial Disputes Act, Trade Unions Act, Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act |
| Code on Social Security, 2020 | EPF & MP Act, ESI Act, Payment of Gratuity Act, Maternity Benefit Act, Employees' Compensation Act, Employment Exchanges (CNV) Act, BOCW Cess Act, Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act, Cine-Workers Welfare Fund Act |
| Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 | Factories Act, Contract Labour Act, Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, BOCW Act, Plantations Labour Act, Mines Act, Beedi & Cigar Workers Act, Working Journalists Act, Sales Promotion Employees Act, Dock Workers Act, Motor Transport Workers Act and others |
What changes for an employer
- One definition of "wages", with the 50% rule. It applies to PF, ESIC, gratuity, bonus and compensation.
- One registration, one licence and one annual return, filed electronically.
- An appointment letter for every employee, and a wage slip for every wage period.
- Fixed-term employment, with gratuity after one year.
- Gig and platform workers are brought under social security.
The Employment Exchanges (CNV) Act, 1959 is also repealed — vacancy reporting now sits in Chapter XIII of the Code on Social Security. Laws outside the Codes still apply: the POSH Act, the Apprentices Act, the State Shops and Establishments Acts, professional tax and labour welfare fund laws.
Last reviewed 17-10-2026. General information, not legal advice for a specific case. Check the latest Act, Rules and notifications of the appropriate government before acting.