What's Happening?
The recently implemented labour codes in India, effective from November 2025, are designed to significantly increase women's participation in the workforce by enhancing job safety and security. According
to a white paper by the All India Organisation of Employers, these codes consolidate existing laws into a more coherent framework, making workplaces safer and social security more comprehensive. Key features include 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, nursing breaks, and medical support, which aim to reduce economic and health disruptions for women. The codes also expand Employees' State Insurance coverage to all sectors, including gig and platform workers, and allow women to work night shifts in traditionally restricted sectors, provided safety measures are in place.
Why It's Important?
These reforms are crucial as they address long-standing barriers to women's workforce participation in India, which has seen a significant increase from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24. By making employment more accessible and secure, the codes aim to sustain and further this growth. The inclusion of gig workers in social security frameworks is particularly forward-looking, offering protections to women balancing work and caregiving responsibilities. This could serve as a model for other countries looking to enhance gender equality in the workplace.
What's Next?
The successful implementation of these codes will require ongoing monitoring and enforcement to ensure that the intended benefits are realized. Stakeholders, including employers and government bodies, will need to collaborate to address any challenges in compliance and to promote awareness of the new protections among women workers. The impact of these reforms on women's economic empowerment and overall workforce dynamics will be closely watched in the coming years.
