Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said the recently implemented Labour Codes will deliver significant advantages to unorganised and gig workers by simplifying procedures and improving access to social security and workplace protections.
Speaking at the National Conference of Trade Leaders in the capital, Goyal noted that workers in these categories have long struggled with multiple forms, inspections and complicated regulations. The new Codes, he said, streamline these processes, ensuring that workers receive proper facilities, better working conditions and structured social security. He added that the reforms have been positively received by both employers and employees.
Goyal highlighted that the government has undertaken parallel reforms to strengthen the ease of doing business. Referring to the Jan Vishvas Bill, he said compliance requirements have been reduced and several procedures have been simplified, which has contributed to a more business-friendly environment.
The minister also urged traders to promote Swadeshi goods, recommending that suppliers clearly indicate the manufacturing location on product packaging. He suggested that shops could display information stating that they sell Swadeshi products, reinforcing the presence of ‘Made in India’ items across markets.
Responding to proposals regarding a “One Nation, One License” mechanism, Goyal said states such as Delhi and Maharashtra could pilot a unified online portal integrating state and municipal trade licences. The idea, he noted, could help traders avoid navigating multiple licensing systems and reduce procedural delays.
The new Labour Codes, Code on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Code on Social Security (2020), and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020), aim to promote industrial harmony, enhance productivity, and create a fair and growth-oriented labour framework. The reforms standardise wage systems, expand social security coverage, and update outdated labour provisions to reflect current economic needs.
Officials said the Codes are designed to protect workers’ rights while safeguarding the interests of employers through a more predictable regulatory structure. The streamlined framework also encourages formalisation in the labour sector and is expected to help create a more inclusive labour market.
The minister said the changes collectively reinforce economic justice and strengthen the dignity of labour, while advancing a simplified, uniform and efficient compliance environment that supports sustained economic activity.
