Free health check-ups to overtime pay, how will newly implemented codes benefit young workers?
The newly introduced labor laws will ensure uniform safety and health standards for workers, the government said on Saturday. The country has witnessed a major shift in the framework of labor regulation with the implementation of four unified labor laws.
The newly introduced labor laws will ensure uniform safety and health standards for workers, the government said on Saturday. The country has witnessed a major shift in the framework of labor regulation with the implementation of four unified labor laws.
The four Labor Laws include the 2019 Wage Law, the 2020 Industrial Relations Law, the 2020 Social Security Law and the 2020 Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Law.
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Act (OHS), 2020 was enacted to strengthen and simplify the existing complex network of labor laws. It replaces the 13 Central Labor laws with a single comprehensive legislation, thus reducing multiplicity and bringing uniformity across industries and States/UTs.
“The Act has been enacted as part of broader labor law reforms to increase transparency, improve employee welfare and promote ease of doing business in India,” according to the official statement.
According to the law, every factory employing 500 or more workers, employers employing 250 or more Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW), and employers employing 100 or more mine workers will establish a safety committee consisting of employer and worker representatives.
“This law ensures the health, safety and welfare of workers in all sectors, which were previously limited to seven sectors: factories, mines, fields, bee-cigars, dock workers, BOCW and motor transport,” the statement said.
Every employee will be able to benefit from a free annual health check. Additionally, the plantation employer can now avail the ESI facility for medical services.
“This will enable early detection of diseases, reduce medical costs and increase workforce health and productivity,” the statement said. It will also promote preventive healthcare, reduce long-term occupational risks and provide benefits to the industry in terms of reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.
In addition, the National Advisory Board on Occupational Safety and Health will establish national standards for occupational safety, health, and working conditions that states will be required to comply with, and will ensure compliance with stringent quality standards for occupational safety, health, and working conditions for all workers nationwide.
The Social Security fund aims to maintain work-life balance, ensure fair compensation for overtime, promote transparent overtime practices with employees’ consent, and provide the opportunity to earn more by working overtime and be paid at a higher wage (twice the normal wage).
