Hey there,

The Indian labor landscape has entered a new era. On 21 November 2025, the Government of India officially implemented the four consolidated labor codes, replacing 29 existing central labor laws. This marks one of the most significant workforce reforms in the country’s history — designed to simplify compliance, protect workers’ rights, and create a unified, transparent system for employers and employees alike.

The four codes — on wages, social security, occupational safety and health, and industrial relations — collectively aim to bring coherence to a previously fragmented framework. Here’s what HR and PeopleOps professionals need to know.

A uniform definition of wages

The Code on Wages, 2019 establishes a single definition of “wages” across all employment laws, removing ambiguity and ensuring consistency in payroll, bonus, and statutory calculations. It also enforces gender pay equality, timely wage payments, and introduces a central floor wage to standardize minimum pay levels across states.

Social security for every worker

The Code on Social Security, 2020 expands the safety net beyond traditional employment. For the first time, gig and platform workers are covered under ESIC and EPF schemes. Employers, including digital aggregators, will contribute to social security funds to ensure broader protection for India’s evolving workforce.

Simplified compliance and safer workplaces

The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH & WC) Code, 2020 merges 13 existing laws into one. It introduces the principle of “one license, one registration, one return”, reducing administrative burden. The code widens the definition of inter-state migrant workers and mandates improved workplace health, safety, and welfare measures — all managed through digital compliance systems.

Flexibility with accountability

The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 recognizes fixed term employment (FTE), allowing organizations to hire directly for specific durations while providing full statutory benefits. It also creates a reskilling fund to support retrenched employees, mandates grievance redressal committees for establishments with 20 or more workers, and introduces a clear procedure for strikes and lockouts, ensuring balance between labour flexibility and industrial peace.

What this means for HR leaders

For HR and PeopleOps professionals, the implementation of the labour codes calls for a comprehensive review of existing policies and practices. Employment contracts, wage structures, and compliance systems need to be aligned with the new definitions and requirements. The emphasis is on digitization, transparency, and fairness - cornerstones of the modern workplace.

➡️ For a simplified breakdown of key provisions and the most common questions that arise, read our companion guide: FAQ — Understanding the Implementation of India’s Labour Codes (2025)

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Between new labor codes, revised wages and compliance that updates faster than our coffee runs… HRs are keeping the lights on and the statutes straight 24x7. 📚💼

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🤔What is the best part of Playbook 5.0? 

The speakers aren’t theorizing.
They’re people who’ve lived the work:

🟣 A CHRO who’s run HR across India, Singapore & the Middle East (Govindraj MK)
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🟠 A rewards strategist with portfolios across 40 countries (Malathi K. S.)
🟢 A culture builder who designs systems of belonging (Radhika Arora)
🟡 A South Asia HR head shaping people strategy across multiple industries (Swati Dogra)

And more!

These aren’t keynote-style monologues - they’re practical, unfiltered conversations about what’s working, what’s breaking, and what HR needs to do next.

📚The Future of HR

Across 9 HR functions and 100+ real voices, our new eBook uncovers how people and AI are already working together - from hiring to exits.

💡 AI in interviews, feedback systems, learning, culture, and workforce planning - explored, debated, redesigned.

If you’ve ever asked “What does responsible AI in HR actually look like?” or “How can I use AI in the screening process?” -  this one’s for you.

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This recognition reflects a culture where people are empowered, purpose guides decisions, and growth is shared across teams.

Huge shoutout to Aadith P for championing the journey.

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🙌The way forward

This moment marks a shift toward a workplace ecosystem built on clarity, consistency, and care. And as the Shape of Work community navigates these transitions together, we’re excited to keep bringing you the insights that matter.

Thanks for reading—catch you in the next newsletter!

-Team TSOW