GENDER JUSTICE AND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY OF WOMEN WORKERS UNDER INDIA’S NEW LABOUR CODES

AUTHOR – R. MADHUMITHA, STUDENT AT SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW THE TAMILNADU DR AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSIY, CHENNAI

BEST CITATION – R. MADHUMITHA, GENDER JUSTICE AND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY OF WOMEN WORKERS UNDER INDIA’S NEW LABOUR CODES, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (5) OF 2026, PG. 118-127, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

India’s new labour codes consolidate all the labour legislations into four new labour codes. It marks the significant change in the regulatory framework. This research examines the new labour codes especially the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code,2020. The new labour codes strengthen women’s role through representation in grievance committee and other advisory bodies. This also ensures the gender equality with strict prohibition of discrimination in workplace. This research also examines the policy objectives, statutory provisions and other constitutional implications of the codes. This research analyses the changes made by new labour codes such as recognising women’s right to work in all occupations and working hours subject to safety conditions. This paper also highlights the practical gaps between the executive actions, ground level realities and commitments particularly for women workers in hazardous, unorganised and informal sectors. This paper concludes that achievement of gender justice is not only initiative of legislative action but also need the strong enforcement mechanisms, policy designs and participatory form of governance in working conditions.

KEYWORDS: Gender justice, Women’s safety, Substantive equality, Occupational safety, Discrimination, Labour codes, Maternity rights.