India has implemented new labour codes, replacing an array of old laws with a more coherent set of regulations. These changes impact fundamental aspects such as salaries, leave entitlements, working hours, and workplace safety. The new framework affects a wide range of workers, including full-time employees, contract workers, and those in industry-specific roles like media, plantations, and factories.
Key updates that workers should take note of include the provision for fixed-term employees to qualify for gratuity after just one year of service, a reduction in the required number of workdays for annual paid leave eligibility to 180 days, clearer guidelines on working hours and overtime pay, mandatory issuance of appointment letters detailing wages and entitlements, and the extension of minimum wage coverage to all sectors.
Additionally, the new regulations mandate timely payment of salaries for all workers, classify commute-related accidents as workplace incidents under certain conditions, expand ESIC coverage nationwide to include workers in various industries, and provide formal protection for media, digital, and audio-visual workers through clear appointment letters outlining their terms of employment.
These changes aim to streamline labour laws, enhance worker protections, and ensure a more transparent and equitable working environment for employees across different sectors.