WHETHER INDIA’S NEW LABOUR REFORMS SIGNIFY MERE STRUCTURAL REARRANGEMENT OR SUBSTANTIVE LEGISLATIVE REFORM
AUTHOR – BHUVANESH J, STUDENT AT SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW, THE TAMIL NADU DR AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY
BEST CITATION – BHUVANESH J, WHETHER INDIA’S NEW LABOUR REFORMS SIGNIFY MERE STRUCTURAL REARRANGEMENT OR SUBSTANTIVE LEGISLATIVE REFORM, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (6) OF 2026, PG. 181-191, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.
Abstract:
India has made a considerable attempt towards consolidating its labour laws with the passing of four Labour Codes in 2020; an attempt which reflects a change in approach from fragmented labour welfare laws to codified ones. While all four Codes have been passed in the year 2020, their application has been slow and is still dependent on the notification of rules by the relevant authorities; a process which is gradually taking place. This move has been viewed as a significant move towards the rationalization and modernization of labour legislation in India.
Against this background, the main purpose of the current paper is to critically analyse if the above-mentioned codification of the labour laws amounts to mere reorganization or legislative reform in substance. The specific aim is to determine whether there are any substantial changes that are being brought about by way of welfare or protection for the workers under the codes, or the codification is a mere restructuring of the previous laws.
The study has been conducted using doctrinal research method based on statutory analysis, secondary sources and judicial interpretation of prior labour laws. Additionally, the study has also involved a comparison between the pre-codified state of affairs and the present one.
It is through such an analysis that the paper assesses the similarities and differences in the laws with a special emphasis on aspects like protection of workers, implementation methods, and regulatory criteria.
The main focus of the study is to find out whether there is true legislative reform in the new labour legislation of India or whether it is just structural in nature.
Keywords: New labour reforms, substantive legislative reform, mere structural rearrangement.