Lok Sabha Passes Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill

The Lok Sabha passed the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026 today. The bill seeks to amend the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. The amendment aimed to avoid any future complication over the continuity of three laws namely the Trade Unions Act, 1926, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, which was replaced by the Industrial Relations Code of 2020.

Replying to the discussion, Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that 17 national labour organisations have stated that the Labour Code has been introduced in the interest of workers. He said, only a few organisations opposed the legislation. Mr. Mandaviya said, Labour Code ensures the introduction of a floor wage with statutory backing, and no state will be allowed to fix wages below the prescribed floor wage. The Minister said that the code guarantees equal wages for men and women, and it also ensures timely payment of wages to workers. The Minister said, all workers above the age of 40 years of age will be required to undergo a mandatory health check-up once a year under the labour code. Citing a survey, Mr Mandaviya said that labour laws are helping in creating jobs, particularly in tier-3 and tier-4 cities. He said that social security coverage in the country has increased from 19 per cent to 64 per cent in the last 11 years.

Earlier, participating in the discussion, Kodikunnil Suresh of Congress said that the industrial relation code amendment Bill 2026 is not a reform. He alleged that the unemployment rate among youth is high and instead of strengthening provisions of employment protection, the government is weakening it. BJP MP Darshan Singh Chaudhary said that the Bill will safeguard the interests of workers in the country and help facilitate ease of doing business for industries. Afzal Ansari of Samajwadi Party alleged that the Government is sidelining the interests of the labourers. Supriya Sule of NCP-SCP questioned whether contract workers are being covered under the new Industrial Relations Code Bill. She said, 42 per cent of workers in India employed under contract basis. Opposing the legislation, Sudama Prasad of CPI (ML) alleged that the new code is designed to benefit few capitalists. E.T. Mohammed Basheer of IUML alleged that the Bill sacrifices the rights of workers. (updated on 12th feb 2026)