Modernising India's Labour Laws

India's four Labour Codes finally come into force, streamlining decades-old laws while seeking a fair balance between worker welfare, job creation and industrial flexibility ; writes Pradeep Kumar Jena

- Pradeep Kumar Jena

The reforms promise fewer bottlenecks, more dignity at work, and a regulatory framework aligned with India's manufacturing ambitions

In a landmark development, the Government of India has implemented four Labour Codes with effect from November 21, 2025, bringing labour reforms enacted by the Parliament into reality.

Following this, different views and news articles have surfaced in the media on its impact, driving debates and discussions on this pertinent issue. This piece is aimed at clearing some of the confusion being created about the efficacy of the Codes. The Government has consistently strived to uphold the dignity of labour through various labour laws and a strong social security framework. However, in order to bring about economic transformation among the labour class, the availability of meaningful employment opportunities is a prerequisite, and in a labour-surplus economy like India, it is unrealistic for the Government to generate employment for all. This is where the private sector plays a crucial role, provided an enabling socio-legal framework and progressive, forward-looking labour laws are in place that reflect the aspirations of a 21st-century India.