Labour reforms: Due to dissatisfaction with the existing set of Labour laws such as multiplicity of definitions and authorities without compromising the basic concepts of welfare and benefits to the worker, lack of transparency and accountability the government of India have constituted 4 Labour codes. Viz. The code on wages, 2019 (29 of 2019), the industrial relations code, 2020 (35 of 2020), the code on social security, 2020 (36 of 2020), and the occupational safety, health and working conditions code, 2020 (37 of 2020) replacing 29 Labour enactments. The proposed date of implementation of the above codes is likely to be with effect from 01-04-2021.
Codes have the potential to generate employment as the ease of compliance of Labour laws would promote the setting up of more enterprises, thus catalyzing the creation of employment opportunities in the country. Codification of the Labour laws will reduce the multiplicity of definitions and facilitation ad use of technology in the enforcement of Labour laws and bring transparency and accountability in enforcement.
The government of India have introduced a new scheme viz. Nation Aatmanirbhat Bharat package to incentive creation of new employment opportunities during the covid recovery phase by providing assistance to the employers of establishments registered with employees’ provident fund’s organization to recruit unemployed persons including re-employment of those who were rendered Un-Employment during the pandemic. Under the scheme, both employees share as well as employer share will be paid by the government of India for a period of 24 months in respect of all newly employed employees drawing wages below Rs.15, 000.00 per month subject to certain conditions stipulated in the scheme. The scheme commences from 1st October 2020 to 30th June 2021.
