On November 21, Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the rollout of four Labour Codes — Code on Wages, 2019, Industrial Relations Code, 2020, Code on Social Security, 2020, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code, 2020. These codes were passed by Parliament between 2019 and 2020. The delay in their full implementation is largely due to states not finalising their rules. Labour is in the concurrent list, so both the Centre and states make rules. While the Centre published draft rules between July and November 2020, as of July 2025 only 32 States and Union Territories have shared their draft rules. West Bengal and Lakshadweep have yet to publish any draft rules. Tamil Nadu has not published rules for the Code on Social Security. The codes repeal many older labour laws and aim to simplify a complex system. For example, the Code on Wages replaces acts dating back to 1936-1976, while the OSHWC Code collapses rules from the Factories Act and Mines Act, among others. The Government says the new codes promote formal jobs, broaden social security to include gig and platform workers, ensure minimum wages, and support women working night shifts in all jobs. Mandatory appointment letters and gender-neutral pay laws are key additions. Employers mostly support the changes for simplifying rules and enhancing flexibility. R. Mukundan, CII president-designate, said the codes would "create jobs, ensure social protection and maintain industrial harmony". However, small businesses fear increased costs and want a grace period. Trade unions, except Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, oppose the codes. They worry about losing federal labour rights and say the floor wage is ineffective. Unions claim the codes limit their power on strikes and union activities, and reduce benefits like retrenchment pay. They also oppose raising factory licence thresholds, which could reduce social security coverage. States ruled by opposition parties like Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu have raised concerns over the Centre's approach. Kerala declared it will not implement the codes. The Government plans to allow all stakeholders 45 days to give feedback on draft rules. There are calls to revive the Indian Labour Conference, a key forum for consultations that has not met in over a decade. Employers want more factory-level talks to avoid industrial tensions amid global economic challenges.