Labour Law
Mint Explainer | Why the Supreme Court is re-examining a 48-year-old definition of ‘industry’ that could affect millions
India's top court will revisit a landmark 1978 judgment that broadly defined 'industry', impacting which organizations fall under labour laws and workers' access to dispute mechanisms. A nine-judge bench begins hearing on 17 March.
4 min read16 Mar 2026Centre reviews workplace accountability standards after new labour codes
The study by the Bureau of Indian Standards will assess the relevance of the existing framework in light of recent policy and regulatory changes aimed at strengthening labour protections.
3 min read12 Mar 2026Salary hikes this year seen at a modest 9.1%, almost same as 2025: Aon survey
India Inc is likely to roll out 9.1% salary hikes in 2026, Aon says, as firms navigate labour code costs, tariff pressures and AI-led disruption across sectors.
3 min read24 Feb 2026Update India’s reform agenda: Freeing up urban land should be treated as an economic imperative
Land supply constraints impose significant costs on the economy. They get in the way of productivity, inclusion and economic growth. Studies have indicated what must be done by way of policy reforms but the challenge is to push them through.
4 min read4 Feb 2026New labour code rules to be finalised by February-end, Centre informs Delhi High Court
The Centre will finalise rules under the Industrial Relations Code by February-end. The court noted that previous labour laws would remain in effect until new tribunals are established, alleviating concerns over legal vacuums and operational issues in industrial tribunals.
2 min read2 Feb 2026Nitin Pai: Don’t overburden the gig economy—it offers millions of Indians their first job
Do not burden the gig economy with constraints born of outrage rather than evidence. For millions of Indians, gig work has become the first rung of the employment ladder—a foothold that offers income, flexibility and mobility. The challenge is not regulation, but building higher rungs above it.
4 min read25 Jan 2026India’s inequality problem won’t be solved by freebies—it needs long-term solutions
Cash transfers offer governments a quick, visible response to rising inequality, but they risk masking deeper distortions. As fiscal pressures mount, essential services suffer. To address wide gaps between haves and have-nots, India must intervene more decisively in its capital and labour markets
3 min read22 Jan 2026More companies are going to take a knock from the labour code rollout
New labour codes are expected to trigger higher social security contributions by both employers and employees. Employees may see a slight reduction in take-home pay if the overall cost-to-company remains unchanged.
3 min read13 Jan 2026Mint Explainer | Can gig workers form traditional trade unions?
While India has many groups representing workers of food delivery, quick commerce, and app-based taxi aggregators, they are not registered trade unions. However, coming changes in Indian labour laws lend similar legitimacy to these rules.
4 min read5 Jan 2026Draft rules spell out wage, gratuity calculation under new labour codes
The Union ministry of labour has released draft rules for minimum wages, gratuity, and social security under new labour codes, affecting over 400 million workers. Changes include a revised definition of wages and stricter compliance requirements for employers.
3 min read31 Dec 2025