India Implements New Wage Code for Better Worker Welfare

In a significant announcement, the Govt. of India has implemented the much awaited new wage code from Nov 21, 2025. While this is transformational in terms of consolidation and simplification of labour laws, the more important perspective is the focus on inclusivity in the work force. Key initiatives such as legitimate document for proving employment, inclusion of all working classes in social security benefits, making minimum wages a matter of right, importance to healthcare and welfare initiatives goes a long way in establishing fair working practices which is of high importance and relevance for a country like India which is having and will continue to have one of the largest working age population in the world for the next few decades. Many have the perspective that such initiatives increase the cost and procedures of compliance which is true as well but at the same time one needs to consider overall positives of the initiatives along with refining many archaic processes and procedures to bring in better working conditions and higher productivity. There will be more detailing coming over the next few days and weeks giving clarity from execution perspective, we will have to follow this space closely.