Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, has urged for an accelerated completion of statutory and administrative formalities to ensure the seamless implementation of four new national labour codes across the Union Territory. The directive came during a high-level review meeting where progress on the consolidation of 29 existing labour laws into these comprehensive codes was assessed.
The meeting, attended by senior officials including the Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), Commissioner Secretary (Law), Secretary (Labour and Employment), and the Labour Commissioner of J&K, focused on the status of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020; the Code on Social Security, 2020; and the Code on Wages, 2019. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the new framework is designed to enhance labour welfare, simplify regulatory procedures, strengthen industrial relationships, and improve the ease of doing business within the region.
During the review, it was reported that the rules pertaining to the Industrial Relations Code and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code have already been officially notified in Jammu and Kashmir. The Secretary for Labour and Employment, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, provided a detailed presentation on the implementation status of all four codes. He informed the attendees that the rules for the remaining two codes, the Code on Social Security and the Code on Wages, are in the final stages of notification. Draft rules for both these codes have been pre-published following approval from the Lieutenant Governor, and a total of 27 objections were received for the Code on Social Security, while the Code on Wages saw five objections. These objections have been thoroughly examined and are currently being addressed, with the Labour and Employment Department aiming to submit the rules for final publication within the next ten days.
Furthermore, administrative notifications under all four labour codes have been drafted and submitted to the Law Department for necessary statutory vetting. These notifications are expected to be officially issued once the legal scrutiny process is concluded. The Chief Secretary also reviewed the preparations for integrating Jammu and Kashmir with the central government’s digital platforms for labour compliance and grievance redressal, namely Shram Suvidha and Samadhan. Officials confirmed that J&K has already conveyed its consent to the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment to be onboarded onto the Shram Suvidha portal and has provided the requisite banking details to facilitate digital transactions.
The Shram Suvidha portal is envisioned as a unified system for various labour-related processes, including registration, licensing, the filing of annual returns, and inspections. The Samadhan portal, on the other hand, will offer a digital avenue for workers and employers to register, monitor, and resolve industrial disputes and grievances online. The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment is currently undertaking the necessary customization of both platforms to ensure their seamless integration with Jammu and Kashmir’s existing compliance systems. This integration is crucial for the effective implementation of the new labour codes and to ensure that stakeholders across the Union Territory can benefit from these digital tools.
The overarching goal of these new labour codes is to modernize and streamline the labour laws in India, creating a more efficient and equitable environment for both employers and employees. By consolidating multiple archaic laws, the government aims to reduce complexity, enhance transparency, and provide better social security benefits and working conditions. The progress in Jammu and Kashmir indicates a concerted effort to align the Union Territory’s regulatory framework with these national objectives, fostering an environment conducive to industrial growth and worker welfare. The timely finalization of the rules and the integration with digital platforms are critical steps in realizing the full potential of this legislative reform.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.