Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 20 November 2024
A team of officials from the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, visited the Labour Department of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration on 19th November 2024 to provide guidance on the formulation of rules under the newly introduced Labour Codes. The team, led by Dr. Onkar Sharma, Advisor, and Mr. K.C. Sahu, Deputy Director, held discussions with local officials to ensure smooth implementation of the new laws.
The team met with Mr. L. Kumar, IAS, Secretary (Labour & Employment), and shared the purpose of their visit, which involved supporting the drafting of rules under the four Labour Codes recently notified by the Government of India. These include 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. These Codes are set to replace 29 existing central labour laws, streamlining India’s labour legislation.
Dr. Sharma highlighted that the Codes represent a significant step towards balancing the needs of industries with the protection of workers’ rights, both in the organised and unorganised sectors. The initiative is aimed at simplifying labour laws, enhancing ease of doing business, and fostering economic growth while safeguarding workers’ welfare in a dynamic economic environment.
The Labour Codes are expected to come into effect shortly, following consultations with stakeholders and the notification of rules by States and Union Territories. The team from the Ministry will continue their discussions with A&N Islands’ Labour Department officials until 21st November 2024 to address any gaps and discrepancies identified in the draft rules under the four Codes.