Abstract

India’s labour law framework has historically been governed by a complex network of fragmented and sector-specific legislations enacted over different periods. This multiplicity of laws often resulted in interpretational inconsistencies, compliance burdens, and limited coverage of the unorganized workforce. In response to the evolving economic landscape and the need for regulatory simplification, the Government of India enacted four comprehensive Labour Codes namely, 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 by consolidating 29 central labour laws. This paper undertakes a comparative analysis of the old labour law regime and the new Labour Codes, focusing on structural, substantive, and procedural transformations. It evaluates key changes such as the introduction of a uniform definition of wages, expansion of social security to gig and platform workers, digitization of compliance mechanisms, and increased flexibility in industrial relations. The study further critically examines the implications of these reforms on labour rights, employer obligations, and the balance between economic efficiency and social justice. It concludes that while the Labour Codes mark a significant step towards modernization and ease of doing business, their success depends on effective implementation and safeguarding worker protections.

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