Bhubaneswar: As part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat reform agenda, the Government of India has undertaken far-reaching labour reforms aimed at formalising employment, improving working conditions, and extending social security coverage across sectors, including Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).
Under the Social Security Code, 2020, MSEs have been brought within the ambit of statutory social security provisions, with applicability determined on the basis of employment strength. This marks a significant step towards integrating smaller enterprises into the formal labour framework while balancing compliance with enterprise capacity.
The reforms guarantee a statutory minimum wage for all workers, ensuring income security across occupations and sectors. In addition, employers are required to provide essential workplace facilities such as canteens (where applicable), safe drinking water, rest rooms, and hygienic working conditions, thereby improving worker welfare and productivity.
The labour codes also lay down clear provisions for standard working hours, paid leave entitlements, and overtime wages, bringing greater uniformity and transparency in employment terms. Timely payment of wages has been mandated, with stricter compliance mechanisms to protect workers from delays and exploitation.
Together, these reforms aim to create a more equitable, efficient and resilient labour ecosystem, strengthening worker confidence while supporting enterprise growth. By extending social security and basic protections to a wider workforce, the initiatives align closely with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat—promoting inclusive growth, formalisation of the economy, and sustainable industrial development.
