The Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill, 2019 - Cabinate Approval

Cabinet approves Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill, 2019 

13 Central Labour Laws brought in ambit of New Code

In the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas’ and ‘Sabka Vishwas’, the NDA Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been continuously working for the benefit of people from various walks of life. With this objective, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved for introduction of the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill, 2019 in the Parliament. This proposal would enhance the coverage of the safety, health and working conditions provisions manifold as compared to the present scenario. The decision will enhance the coverage of the safety, health and working conditions provisions manifold as compared to the present scenario.  A Bill that seeks to merge 13 labour laws into one code on occupational safety, health and working conditions that would apply to all establishments with 10 or more workers was approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday, paving the way for its introduction in Parliament  

The New Code has been drafted after amalgamation, simplification and rationalisation of the relevant provisions of the 13 Central Labour Acts:

1. The Factories Act, 1948;
2. The Mines Act, 1952; The Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1986;
3. The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996;
4. The Plantations Labour Act, 1951;
5. The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970;
6. The Inter-State Migrant workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979;
7. The Working Journalist and other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service and Misc. Provision) Act, 1955;
8. The Working Journalist (Fixation of rates of wages) Act, 1958;
9. The Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961;
10. Sales Promotion Employees (Condition of Service) Act, 1976;
11. The Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966; and
12. The Cine Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers Act, 1981.

After the enactment of the Code, all these Acts being subsumed in the Code will be repealed.

Benefits

Safety, Health, welfare and improved Working Conditions are pre-requisite for well-being of the worker and also for economic growth of the country as healthy workforce of the country would be more productive and occurrence of less accidents and unforeseen incidents would be economically beneficial to the employers also. With the ultimate aim of extending the safety and healthy working conditions to all workforce of the country, the Code enhances the ambit of provisions of safety, health, welfare and working conditions from existing about 9 major sectors to all establishments having 10 or more employees.

Pointers

• While the code will be applicable to all trades, including IT establishments and service sector, where more than 10 workers are employed, it will be applicable to mines and docks that employ even one worker.
• It is mandatory for employers to provide free annual medical check-ups and issue appointment letters to all employees
• The code also framed rules for women workers working night shifts