New Delhi, Nov. 26 -- India's demographic dividend requires turning our working-age population into a productive workforce. For labour-intensive manufacturing and services to expand, it is essential that labour as a factor of production is composed of productive individuals who are equipped to take advantage of the opportunities offered by high economic growth.

It is also imperative that labour is not disadvantaged by excessive regulation, which hinders the growth of labour-intensive manufacturing.

The implementation of India's four labour codes on wages, industrial relations, social security and occupational safety, health and working conditions represents a historic step towards protecting workers, increasing productivity and easing l...