Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020
All provisions of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 have come into force from 21st November, 2025.
- Key Effects of the OSHWC Code, 2020
- Mandatory Appointment Letters for all workers.
- Free Annual Health Check-ups for workers above 40 years.
- Permission for Women to work night shifts with consent and safety measures.
- Expanded definition and benefits for Inter-State Migrant Workers (ISMW), including travel allowance.
- Introduction of national standards for workplace health and safety.
- Higher applicability thresholds for various establishments.
- Increased quarterly overtime hours allowed.
- Prohibition on contract labour in core activities of an establishment.
- Leave eligibility reduced from 240 days to 180 days in a calendar year.
- Independent Directors cannot be Occupiers of factories; non-compliant appointments must be corrected.
- All statutory welfare facilities must be provided exclusively by the Principal Employer.
- Canteen facility mandatory where the establishment engages 100 or more workers.
- Safety Officer must be appointed when workforce reaches 500 workers.
- Welfare Officer mandatory when 250 or more workers are employed.
- ISMW chapter applies to workers directly engaged from other states earning below ₹18,000 per month.
