Labour Reforms
Episodes of labour unrest reveal the poor state of industrial relations in the country
Wages have been stagnant, with real earnings in 2022-23 still below 2011-12 levels. Contract workers are often denied basic labour protections. Lower wage bills may serve industry, but a poorly paid workforce weakens overall demand and drags GDP growth down.
3 min read30 Apr 2026India’s new labour codes decoded: Early impact, key shifts and what lies ahead
Five months after implementation, India’s four new labour codes reflect evolving changes in wages, safety and social security, with outcomes depending on effective coordination, compliance and alignment across industries and states.
2 min read23 Apr 2026Rural development needs a boost: India must step up efforts to take prosperity far and wide
With workers migrating back to their villages once again, it's time to take stock of India’s rural development efforts. The Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme announced in the previous budget speech holds promise—but it needs to be designed well.
4 min read15 Apr 2026New salary rules in India: What the 50% wage norm means for EPF, gratuity and take-home pay
Starting 1 April 2026, new labour reforms in India will change salary structures, potentially lowering take-home pay for many employees. Here's how the new rules impact EPF and gratuity.
3 min read7 Apr 2026‘Right to Disconnect’ Bill Introduced In Parliament: What Would Such A Law Mean?
India is debating a major workplace reform: the Right to Disconnect Bill. Introduced by MP Supriya Sule, the proposal seeks to give employees the legal right to ignore after-hours calls and emails, protect personal time, and regulate unpaid overtime. This video breaks down what the Bill proposes, why it matters, and the challenges ahead.
8 Dec 2025Swiggy, Zomato say new labour code won’t hurt business, analysts see rising cost
The levy for social security could add ₹2-3 per order, potentially passing billions in extra costs to customers, even as platforms race toward profitability.
3 min read24 Nov 2025Early gratuity after 1 year - check beneficiaries, new labour code rules, when are they applicable
New labour code: Amid several path breaking changes that are announced in these labour reforms, one of the noticeable ones is the provision of early gratuity which employees will be entitled to after one year of service.
1 min read22 Nov 2025What do India's new labour codes guarantee for women workers? Salary gap, night-time work opportunities — Explained
India has implemented four new labour codes and rationalised the 29 existing labour laws, with aim to “guarantee dignity for every worker in India”, including women employees. Here's a look at what has been promised:
3 min read21 Nov 2025Wanted: A new social contract for ‘Make in India’
The recently launched Global Access to Talent from India Foundation (GATI) can help fill skilled worker needs globally while providing work opportunities and financial security to Indian workers. We need a similar effort for domestic manufacturing.
4 min read6 Jun 2025Himanshu: India’s economy is too complex to afford less-than-robust statistics
The National Statistics Office has expanded the coverage of its annual Periodic Labour Force Survey and embarked on monthly data releases. This helps get updates on India’s highly complex labour market, but there’s some way to go before the survey data can be analysed well to guide policy decisions.
3 min read29 May 2025Wait for it…
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