LEGAL RIGHTS AND PROTECTION OF INTER-STATE MIGRANT WORKERS UNDER THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND WORKING CONDITIONS CODE, 2020

AUTHOR – SHRI RAKSHA T S, STUDENT AT SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW THE TAMILNADU DR AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSIY, CHENNAI

BEST CITATION – SHRI RAKSHA T S, LEGAL RIGHTS AND PROTECTION OF INTER-STATE MIGRANT WORKERS UNDER THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND WORKING CONDITIONS CODE, 2020, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (5) OF 2026, PG. 267-272, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

India is home to one of the largest internal migrant populations in the world, with millions of workers crossing state boundaries annually in search of their livelihoods. These workers have occupied a legal position. The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 consolidated and replaced thirteen central labour statutes, including the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, and introduced an expanded framework of rights and protections for inter-state migrant workers. This paper, analyses the specific entitlements it creates for migrant workers — including wage equality, journey fare, benefit portability, and grievance redressal — and situates these provisions within the broader constitutional framework established by landmark judicial pronouncements. This paper examines the evolution of the legal framework for inter-state migrant workers, critically analyses the rights and protections under the OSH Code, and evaluates its implementation challenges and implications for the welfare of migrant workers.

Keywords: Inter-State Migrant Workers, OSH Code 2020, Labour Law, Occupational Safety, Wage Portability, ISMA 1979,