New Delhi, Nov. 22 -- In a major overhaul of India's labour framework, the Government of India has announced four new labour codes - the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. India's new labour codes, that are effective from November 21, 2025, mark a significant shift from old rules, expanding worker protections and modernising employment practices.

Under the old system, employers were not required to issue appointment letters, but the new codes make written appointment letters mandatory for all workers. Minimum wages earlier applied only to scheduled industries, leaving many workers outside coverage; the new labou...