Minister Inaugurates Regional Conference on Labour Reforms in Goa
On January 7, 2026, Union Minister of Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated a two-day Regional Level Conference in Goa via video conferencing. This event is the first of six regional conferences initiated by the Ministry of Labour & Employment. The conferences aim to enhance the implementation of the four Labour Codes across states and union territories, focusing on issues related to the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), and the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).
Focus on Labour Reforms
During his address, Dr. Mandaviya praised the states for proactively amending their labour laws in alignment with the new Labour Codes, showing a collective dedication to labour reforms and the welfare of workers. With the aim of improving workers’ well-being, the Labour Codes have been in effect since November 21, 2025, and have been welcomed by various stakeholders. Key provisions include mandatory annual health check-ups, social security for workers in hazardous jobs—even those employed at single-person establishments—ensured issuance of appointment letters, and a significant reduction in eligibility for gratuity from five years to just one.
Collaborative Implementation Efforts
The Union Minister emphasized the importance of cooperation between the central and state governments to guarantee effective execution of the Labour Codes. He noted that this landmark reform has also received international recognition from media outlets like _Global Times_ and _The Economist_. The minister urged states to engage in focused discussions to promptly address emerging challenges, which will facilitate the timely implementation of these Codes.
Innovations in Labour Laws
In addressing the conference, Ms. Vandana Gurnani, Union Secretary of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, informed attendees about the consolidation of 29 existing laws into the new four Labour Codes. This rationalization aims to simplify compliance while enhancing worker welfare features, including a web-based inspection system and the expansion of social security coverage. She highlighted that the Central Government had pre-published the draft Rules for the Codes on December 30, 2025, and urged states to finalize their respective regulations in consultation with legal departments.
Future Discussions and Capacity Building
The conference served as a crucial platform for stakeholders to discuss regulations, identify gaps, and expedite statutory notifications. Moreover, it included consultations on schemes to be developed under the Labour Codes as well as discussions focused on IT systems and digital platforms for effective execution. Capacity building for field functionaries and raising awareness about the objectives of the Labour Codes among states and other key stakeholders were also prioritized.
Senior officials from both the Ministry and the states participated actively in the conference, underscoring the collaborative spirit essential for the successful implementation of new labour laws.
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