Minister of State for Labor and Employment Shobha Karandlaje addressed the media in Vijayawada on Tuesday as Minister of State for Labor Vasamsetti Subhash looked on. | Photo credit: KVS GIRI
Minister of State for Labor and Employment Shobha Karandlaje said on Tuesday that the new labor laws aim to protect workers’ rights, expand employment opportunities and create a balanced environment conducive to industry across the country.
Inaugurating a two-day regional conference of labour, employment and industry ministers in the city, the Union minister described the consolidation of 29 colonial-era labor laws into four comprehensive labor codes as a historic reform.
She said the codes, which came into effect on November 21, will bring far-reaching changes to the lives of workers and employers by ensuring transparency, compliance and technology-based governance.
Highlighting key provisions, Ms Karandlaje said the new laws ensure equal pay for equal work for women and mandate payment of wages within a week of completion of work. For the first time, social security coverage was extended to gig, platform and unorganized sector workers.
She said talks are underway to extend EPFO and ESI benefits to nearly 90% of unorganized workers. Provisions such as internet inspections, decriminalization of minor offences, uniform definitions and options for working from home would make it easier to do business while protecting labor welfare.
Emphasizing that labor is largely a state affair, the Union minister emphasized on cooperative federalism. She called for stronger centre-state coordination, timely finalization of rules, integration of IT systems, capacity building of field officers and effective last-mile outreach.
Andhra Pradesh Labor Minister Vasamsetti Subhash said the state has expanded ESIC’s health infrastructure, strengthened digital services and organized workplace medical camps to improve workers’ health and transparency.
Senior officials from southern states, Puducherry and NCT of Delhi participated in the conference which included discussions on rule making, IT readiness and ground implementation.
Published – 27 Jan 2026 21:28 IST
