The OSHWC Code, 2020 has been enacted by Parliament, to replace the erstwhile 13 central labour laws (some of them were more than 50 years old) in order to simplify and rationalise the legislations. These rules subsume multiple central labour safety laws in a single, logical framework and provide for technology based e-governance to bring transparency and accountability in enforcement of the law besides facilitating implementation/ compliance with law ensuring safe working conditions, health standards and welfare of factory workers across the country including those employed in docks, construction sites, construction work, mines, managements that be contractors.

Key Impacts

1. Supersedes multiple safety and welfare standards in various sectors of agriculture, which leads to fragmentation of the law.

2. Online registration of units through the Shram Suvidha Portal ensuring time bound grant of registration and automatic issuance of unique Labour Identification Number.

3. Specific duties for employers regarding safety, health checks, accident reporting and controlling hazardous activities.

4. Compulsory annual medical examination for workers above a certain age and increased occupational health oversight.

5. Fixed period during which fatal accidents, serious injuries and dangerous occurrences must be reported.

6. Safety committees: Mandatory formation of safety committees in industries having 500 or more workers with the representation of workers.

7. Protection to inter-state migrant workers: Enhanced data-based reporting, welfare benefit tracking and safety coverage accrued.

8. Stress on safety of working women, adequate representation in safety committees and amenities.

9. E-inspections and use of online mode for maintaining registers, etc. with the EPFO/ESIC was a step forward for improving compliance.

10. Disinformation or non-compliance may result in disqualification of registration and regulatory action.

Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2025 (Draft)