India, Dec. 1 -- India's ambitious overhaul of its labour law architecture-by consolidating 29 existing laws into four comprehensive Labour Codes-is projected as a landmark reform intended to simplify compliance, promote investment, and extend social protection.

The Code on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Social Security Code (2020), and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020) were envisaged as instruments to modernise labour markets and align them with global competitiveness.

Yet, as debates intensify, it has become increasingly evident that these reforms may paradoxically deepen informality, weaken collective rights, and compromise the promise of "decent work" for India's predominantly unorga...