High-level meeting expects States to frame Labour Code rules by March 31

Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Setting the stage for the possible implementation of the four Labour Codes from April 1, a meeting of the officials and Ministers of the Union Labour Ministry and State Labour Ministries has reviewed the progress in drafting of rules under the Codes by the States.

The meeting noted that over 18 States and Union Territories have implemented a majority of the reforms and more than 32 States/U.T.s have pre-published the draft rules. The remaining States/U.T.s have made satisfactory progress and all 36 States and U.T.s are expected to complete pre-publication of harmonised draft rules in line with the Labour Codes by March 31.

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The two-day meeting, chaired by Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, is also discussing labour reforms and issues of gig and platform workers. Dr. Mandaviya said a fine balance between workers’ welfare and industrial growth must remain at the core of all policy decisions.

He urged all States and U.T.s to participate in knowledge sharing on reforms undertaken by them. “There is equal focus on interventions for matching demand and supply in the labour market, promoting employment generation and employability through National Career Service (NCS) Portal and Model Career Centres (MCC), etc.,” a government release said.

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The Minister also launched the State and Union Territory microsites under the e-Shram initiative and the Occupational Shortage Index (OSI) during the meeting. “e-Shram Microsites are State-specific digital platforms seamlessly integrated with the national e-Shram database. Facilitating two-way integration between State portals and the eShram portal, this will facilitate simplified registration of unorganised workers,” the government said.

OSI will match labour market demand and supply, enhancing employment outcomes across the country. It also provides data-driven insights into occupations facing shortages, helping align job seekers’ skills with industry demands.