India Labour Codes 2019-2020

29 Acts. Four Codes. One platform.

The 2019-2020 Codes consolidate 29 central labour statutes into four modern Codes — published in the Gazette, with Central Rules notified between 2021 and 2026. Here's a quick map of what each Code covers and the worker thresholds that drive applicability.

CoW 2019

Code on Wages, 2019

Consolidates 4 central Acts on wages and bonus: Payment of Wages Act 1936, Minimum Wages Act 1948, Payment of Bonus Act 1965 and Equal Remuneration Act 1976.

What it covers

Universal minimum wage applicable to ALL employees (not just scheduled employment)
Floor wage notified by Central Government, state minimum can be higher
Bonus thresholds: ₹21,000 wage cap, 8.33% min – 20% max
Equal remuneration for same / similar work irrespective of gender
Penalties: ₹50,000–₹1,00,000 for first contravention

Worker thresholds → obligations

Trigger	Obligation
All employees	Minimum wage, timely payment
≥ 20 (gov factory) / others as notified	Bonus eligibility

IRC 2020

Industrial Relations Code, 2020

Replaces Trade Unions Act 1926, Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act 1946 and Industrial Disputes Act 1947. Modernises union recognition, standing orders, layoff/retrenchment and dispute resolution.

What it covers

Negotiating Union / Council framework
Standing Orders mandatory for industrial establishments with 300+ workers (notified threshold)
Re-skilling Fund — employer contributes 15 days' wages per retrenched worker
Strike notice: 14 days; lock-out notice: 14 days
Conciliation, Industrial Tribunal, National Industrial Tribunal hierarchy

Worker thresholds → obligations

Trigger	Obligation
≥ 100 workers	Worker participation in management (notified)
≥ 300 workers	Standing Orders required, prior gov permission for layoff/retrenchment

CoSS 2020

Code on Social Security, 2020

Subsumes 9 Acts including EPF 1952, ESI 1948, Maternity Benefit 1961, Payment of Gratuity 1972, Employee's Compensation 1923, Building & Other Construction Workers 1996, Unorganised Workers Social Security 2008.

What it covers

Universal Social Security floor — EPFO + ESIC + state boards
Gig & platform workers covered via a separate Social Security Fund
Gratuity portable for fixed-term employees after 1 year (vs. 5 years)
Maternity benefit: 26 weeks paid for first two children, 12 weeks for subsequent
Employee's Compensation extended to clerical/admin where notified

Worker thresholds → obligations

Trigger	Obligation
≥ 10 employees	ESI applicability (wage ≤ ₹21k / ₹25k disability)
≥ 10 women / total ≥ 10	Maternity Benefit + Creche if ≥ 50
≥ 20 employees	EPF applicability (wage ≤ ₹15k mandatory, voluntary above)
≥ 5 years service	Gratuity entitlement

OSHW 2020

Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions Code, 2020

Consolidates 13 Acts including Factories 1948, Mines 1952, Plantations Labour 1951, Beedi & Cigar Workers 1966, Inter-State Migrant Workmen 1979, Contract Labour Regulation & Abolition 1970, Building & Construction Workers 1996, Working Journalists.

What it covers

Single registration for factories with 20+ (with power) / 40+ (without power) workers
Contract Labour Licence required at 50+ contract workers (per Chapter XI)
Inter-State Migrant Worker portable benefits, Migrant Worker Helpline
Annual health check-ups for workers in hazardous processes
Working hours: 8h/day, 48h/week, OT max 125h/quarter
Women workers permitted in night shifts (with consent + facilities)

Worker thresholds → obligations

Trigger	Obligation
≥ 10 contract workers	Principal employer registration
≥ 20 (with power) / 40+ (without)	Factory licence
≥ 50 contract workers	Contractor Licence under Chapter XI
≥ 250 workers	Canteen, welfare officer
≥ 500 workers	Occupational Health Centre, Safety Committee

We've indexed every Code, Rule and FAQ.

The cmplihr.ai engine is grounded in the official Code PDFs, the Central Rules (2025/2026), gazette notifications and Government FAQs. Citations come from the source documents — so every recommendation is traceable.

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