New Delhi, February 12 The Lok Sabha passed the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on Thursday, aiming to provide legal clarity.
The Bill would help avoid any "future unwarranted complications" regarding the continuity of certain laws replaced by the 2020 Industrial Relations Code.
Responding to the debate on the Bill, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that the four Labour Codes, implemented nearly three months ago, ensure a guarantee of minimum wages.
These Codes also ensure the compulsory issuance of appointment letters, as well as uniform wages for the same work, regardless of gender, he added.
According to the statement of objects and reasons of the proposed law, the 2020 Industrial Relations Code replaces the Trade Unions Act, 1926, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, which relate to trade unions, industrial employment, and industrial disputes.
It contains saving provisions under section 104 to ensure continuity and legal certainty.
"Although the repeal has occurred through the operation of section 104 of the Code itself, there is a possibility of future confusion arising from a misinterpretation that the Act delegates the power to repeal these enactments to the executive," it explained.
The provisions of section 104 and the February 2026 notification are clear that the repeal has occurred through the operation of section 104 of the Code itself; therefore, it is considered desirable to introduce the proposed amendment to avoid any future unwarranted complications," it noted.
