Impact of New Labour Codes on the Welfare and Safety of India's Informal Workforce
The four new labour codes (2019 and 2020) aim to consolidate existing laws but face criticism for potentially undermining the rights of unorganised workers, who constitute 90% of India's workforce. The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code is criticized for removing specific safety rules previously present in the BOCW Act. Furthermore, the replacement of physical inspections with web-based systems is seen as a violation of ILO Convention 81. In states like Tamil Nadu, the new Social Security (SS) Code threatens existing sector-specific welfare boards that provide essential benefits to millions of manual workers.
Key Points
- Unorganised workers contribute 65% of India's GDP but are largely excluded from the protections of the new codes.
- The OSHWC Code lacks specific safety mandates for hazardous sectors like construction, leading to higher accident risks.
- The transition to a centralized e-Shram system may lead to the dissolution of effective state-level welfare boards.
- Critics argue the codes were passed without adequate tripartite consultation between workers, employers, and the government.
Exam Facts
- ILO Conventions mentioned: Convention 81 (Inspection) and Convention 161 (Occupational Health Services).
- BOCW Act: Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996.
- Informal Sector: Constitutes over 90% of India's workforce.
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