The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020

Summary of The Code on Social Security, 2020
Overview
*Title: The Code on Social Security, 2020 *Scope: Consolidates and amends laws to extend social security to all employees and workers in India, including those in unorganized, gig, and platform sectors.
Key Components
1. Social Security Governance
*Boards and Corporations:
• Employees' Provident Fund Board of Trustees (Central Board): Oversees provident fund schemes.
• Employees' State Insurance Corporation (Corporation): Manages health and insurance schemes.
• National and State Social Security Boards: Focus on unorganized workers' welfare.
• State Building Workers' Welfare Boards: Dedicated to building construction workers.
2. Coverage and Benefits
*Unorganized, Gig, and Platform Workers:
• Mandatory Registration: With conditions (age, self-declaration, Aadhaar).
• Schemes:
• Life, Health, Old Age, Education benefits for unorganized workers.
• Specific schemes for gig and platform workers, funded by aggregators (1-2% of annual turnover).
3. Governance and Regulatory Powers
*Central Government:
• Powers to frame schemes, make rules, and give directions.
• Authority to exempt aggregators under certain conditions. *State Government:
• Power to make rules consistent with the Code for state-level implementation. *Corporation's Regulatory Powers:
• Make regulations for the administration of its affairs and specified chapters.

Legislative History: The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020

Source: India Code and Ministry of Labour and Employment Official Records

Key Legislative Metadata

Legislative Stage / Attribute Official Details

Short Title The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020

Act Number / Year Act No. 37 of 2020

India Code Act ID 202037

Introduced In Lok Sabha

Presidential Assent Date September 28, 2020

Official Gazette Publication 21st November, 2025

Enforcement Date 21st November, 2025

Administrative Nodal Ministry Ministry of Labour and Employment

Precedent & Statutory Rationale

1. Fragmentation of Safety and Working Condition Laws:

o Prior to 2020, standards concerning worker safety, health, and working conditions were scattered across numerous standalone legislations enacted over several decades—such as the Factories Act, 1948; Mines Act, 1952; Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970; and the Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996. This multiplicity of laws led to complex compliance procedures, conflicting definitions, and administrative overlaps.

2. Standardizing Occupational Safety and Promoting Ease of Compliance:

o Grounded in national labor reform goals, the legislation was enacted to establish uniform occupational health and safety standards across all key economic sectors, modernize regulatory frameworks through technology (such as common registration and digital portals), and balance robust worker protection with ease of doing business.

Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment

• Formulation: Developed and piloted by the Ministry of Labour and Employment under the Union Government as part of the overarching labor code consolidation initiative.

• Parliamentary Passage: Introduced in the Lok Sabha in September 2020, thoroughly reviewed by parliamentary committees, and subsequently passed by both Houses of Parliament during the September 2020 session.

• Presidential Assent: Received formal Presidential Assent on September 28, 2020, entering the statute book as Act No. 37 of 2020.

• Enforcement: Enforced on 21st day of November, 2025.