New Delhi [India], November 22 : The Confederation of Central Trade Unions (CONCENT) welcomes the Government of India's notification of the four Labour Codes as a landmark and progressive reform that replaces fragmented, outdated colonial-era labour laws with a unified, contemporary, transparent and worker-centric framework.
As a non-political organisation with 14 nationally recognised platforms and a partner of the Global Coalition for Social Justice, CONCENT views these reforms as a historic transition toward dignified labour governance, universalised social protection and a modern labour ecosystem aligned with the aspirations of Viksit Bharat 2047.
For decades, India's labour framework functioned under rigid, pre-independence structures designed for administrative control rather than worker welfare.
Even today, many politically motivated organisations in our nation continue to hold on to this colonial mindset, promoting agitation and confrontation and misleading workers, especially India's youth, who seek skill opportunities, dignity, stability and meaningful participation in a growing economy.
CONCENT believes the nation must move towards an approach based on social justice, legal protection, constructive engagement and the guiding ethos of "Shramev Jayate".
A major achievement under the Labour Codes is the universalisation of social security, a transformative milestone in India's labour history. For the first time, unorganised workers, migrant labourers, gig and platform workers, and millions in informal occupations are included in a legally enforceable social protection system that provides ESIC-type health coverage, pension-linked benefits, disability assistance, maternity protection, and portability of welfare entitlements.
This monumental expansion brings nearly Forty Crore workers, previously left outside formal welfare, into a unified protective framework. Equally transformative is the mandatory requirement that every worker receive a formal appointment letter and be paid in accordance with a nationally enforceable floor wage.
This reform ends long-standing exploitation associated with verbal work arrangements, arbitrary deductions and lack of identity or service records. Digital wage systems further strengthen accountability, financial inclusion and direct access to government benefits.
Worker safety and occupational health have also been comprehensively enhanced. Mandatory annual health check-ups, establishment-level safety committees, technology-enabled inspections and stronger safeguards for women reflect India's alignment with global labour standards.
These measures demonstrate that worker welfare is not merely a legal obligation but a foundation of national productivity, industrial safety and sustainable economic development. The simplified dispute-resolution framework ensures timely and fair outcomes, promotes industrial harmony, and supports India's long-term economic prosperity.
These reforms emerged from extensive consultations undertaken by the Government with state governments, employer bodies, central trade unions and labour experts across the country.
Numerous valuable suggestions were incorporated into the final rules, reflecting a transparent, democratic and consensus-driven approach.
The CONCENT urges workers, unions, and employers, especially India's young and aspirational workforce, which represents the energy of a modern, globally competitive India, to embrace these forward-looking reforms with awareness and cooperation.
India's youth deserve an employment landscape built on dignity, identity, social protection, mobility, skills and stability, not fear-based misinformation or politically driven agitation. The Labour Codes create the foundation for formalisation, transparency, security and industrial peace, critical pillars for a prosperous and confident India.
The New Labour Codes are the most progressive, inclusive and historic reforms for India's workforce, especially for crores of unorganised, migrant, gig and platform workers who are receiving statutory social security coverage for the first time.
With an unwavering commitment to fairness, equity and constructive national development, CONCENT reaffirms its full support to the Government of India for the smooth, transparent and effective implementation of the Labour Codes.
These reforms open a new chapter in India's labour history, one that strengthens worker welfare, empowers youth, enhances productivity, aligns India with contemporary global standards and builds a just, safe, inclusive and prosperous future for every worker in the nation.
CONCENT appeals to all the constituents to tell the reality to the working class and directs them to conduct processions, marches, corner meetings, and conventions in support of the four labour codes.