The Lok Sabha passed the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026 today. The bill seeks to amend the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. The amendment aims to avoid any future complications regarding the continuity of three laws: the Trade Unions Act, 1926, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, which were replaced by the Industrial Relations Code of 2020.
Responding to the discussion, Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated that 17 national labour organizations have affirmed that the Labour Code was introduced in the interest of workers. He added that only a few organizations opposed the legislation. Mr. Mandaviya stated that the Labour Code ensures the introduction of a minimum wage with statutory backing, and no state will be allowed to set wages below the prescribed minimum wage. The Minister said that the code guarantees equal wages for men and women, and it also ensures timely payment of wages to workers. The Minister also stated that all workers aged 40 and above will be required to undergo a mandatory health check-up once a year under the labour code. Citing a survey, Mr. Mandaviya said that labour laws are helping in creating jobs, particularly in tier-3 and tier-4 cities. He added that social security coverage in the country has increased from 19 per cent to 64 per cent in the last 11 years.
Earlier, participating in the discussion, Kodikunnil Suresh of Congress stated that the industrial relation code amendment Bill, 2026 is not a reform. He alleged that the unemployment rate among youth is high, and instead of strengthening provisions of employment protection, the government is weakening it. BJP MP Darshan Singh Chaudhary said that the Bill will safeguard the interests of workers in the country and help facilitate ease of doing business for industries. Afzal Ansari of Samajwadi Party alleged that the Government is sidelining the interests of the labourers. Supriya Sule of NCP-SCP questioned whether contract workers are being covered under the new Industrial Relations Code Bill. She said that 42 per cent of workers in India are employed on a contract basis. Opposing the legislation, Sudama Prasad of CPI (ML) alleged that the new code is designed to benefit a few capitalists. E.T. Mohammed Basheer of IUML alleged that the Bill sacrifices the rights of workers.