OSH & Working Conditions Code
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 standardises leave policies, expands women's workforce participation, and consolidates factory compliance — the broadest consolidation among the 4 New Labour Codes, replacing 13 earlier laws.
Acts Subsumed (13 Total)
The widest consolidation, subsuming 13 acts including the Factories Act 1948, the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act 1970, and the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act 1979.
Key HR Compliance Mandates
1. Earned Leave: 180-Day Eligibility, 30-Day Carry Forward
A significant shift for leave policies on two fronts. Eligibility: the qualifying period for earned leave has been reduced from 240 days to 180 days of work in a calendar year, bringing more employees within scope sooner. Carry forward: once earned, an employee cannot carry forward more than 30 days of annual leave — any unavailed balance beyond 30 days must automatically be encashed by the employer at the end of the calendar year.
2. Women Working Night Shifts
Women are now legally permitted to work in all establishments and for all types of work. They may work night shifts (before 6 AM and after 7 PM) strictly with their consent, provided the employer establishes adequate conditions for safety, holidays, and transport.
3. Free Annual Health Check-ups
Employers must provide mandatory, free annual health check-ups for employees above a certain age (prescribed by the central government) in specified factories and hazardous establishments.