Code on Wages2019
Consolidates Minimum Wages Act, Payment of Wages Act, Payment of Bonus Act, Equal Remuneration Act.
Practice area · Indian legal practice
Labour and Employment Law
Labour codes, IDA, ESI, PF, factories — disputes, retrenchment, gratuity.
Labour and employment law in India is undergoing consolidation — the four Labour Codes 2019-2020 (Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Code on Social Security, Code on Occupational Safety) replace and consolidate earlier statutes as their notifications come into force in stages. Disputes are heard before Labour Courts, Industrial Tribunals, and the High Courts in writ jurisdiction.
Key statutes
Industrial Relations Code2020
Replaces Industrial Disputes Act, Trade Unions Act, Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act.
Code on Social Security2020
Replaces ESI Act, EPF Act, Maternity Benefit Act, Payment of Gratuity Act, etc.
Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions2020
Replaces Factories Act, Mines Act, Dock Workers Act.
Industrial Disputes Act1947
Continues to apply pending full notification of the IRC.
Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act1952
PF regime; continues alongside Code on Social Security.
Payment of Gratuity Act1972
Gratuity entitlement and computation.
Primary forums
- Conciliation Officers (under IDA / IRC)
- Labour Courts and Industrial Tribunals
- EPF Appellate Tribunal
- High Court — writ petitions challenging tribunal orders
- Supreme Court of India
- Industrial Disputes — referrals by appropriate Government
Common matters
- Industrial dispute references and termination challenges
- Section 25-F retrenchment compliance challenges (under IDA, transitioning to IRC)
- EPF coverage and contribution disputes
- Gratuity claim recoveries
- POSH (Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace) Internal Complaints Committee proceedings
- Strike, lockout, and lay-off matters
Limitation periods
IDA Section 12 — conciliation must be initiated within prescribed timelines. Writ petitions before High Courts have no fixed limitation but must be filed without unreasonable delay (latches doctrine). EPF appeals — 30 days from order with condonation up to 60 more days.
CourtNetra workflow for labour and employment law
Labour matters in CourtNetra track conciliation, reference, and tribunal stages distinctly. Templates for retrenchment notices, EPF appeal memos, and gratuity claim letters available. NyayaLens AI surfaces tribunal and High Court precedent on industrial dispute references.
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