By The Ministry of Labour and Employment, in partnership with the Uttar Pradesh government, is holding a two-day state-level capacity-building and awareness programme on Labour Codes, Labour Welfare and Social Protection in Lucknow on October 26 and 27, 2026, according to Observer Voice. The event forms part of the nationwide Shram Samvad initiative, a 90-day outreach campaign launched on September 28, 2026, targeting 316 districts across all 36 states and union territories.
Day one focuses on Labour Reforms, with a keynote address by the Secretary of Labour and Employment. Sessions cover international labour mobility, social protection for unorganised and gig workers, and initiatives for Building and Other Construction Workers. Uttar Pradesh Labour and Employment Minister Anil Rajbhar will address a key session in the second half of the day. Day two focuses on Implementation of Labour Codes and Way Forward, with technical sessions chaired by senior ministry officials and presentations on the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana. Structured open discussion sessions across both days will address operational concerns and compliance queries from industry stakeholders.
What the four labour codes actually change
The four codes consolidate 29 central labour laws into a simpler framework. The Code on Wages (2019) introduces a universal floor wage and standardises the definition of wages across all four codes. The Industrial Relations Code (2020) raises the threshold for standing orders from 100 to 300 workers, meaning many mid-sized employers in Uttar Pradesh will no longer need government-approved standing orders. It also introduces fixed-term employment provisions. The Code on Social Security (2020) extends social security coverage to gig and platform workers for the first time, a significant shift for India’s growing app-based workforce. The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020) consolidates 13 existing laws and introduces provisions for inter-state migrant workers, including a national database.
What the Lucknow event means for UP employers
Uttar Pradesh has one of India’s largest industrial workforces, with significant clusters in textiles, leather, food processing, manufacturing and construction. The state’s labour department has historically administered its own set of state-specific rules alongside central laws. The awareness programme signals that the central and state governments are aligning on implementation timelines and compliance expectations. For HR and payroll teams in UP, the practical questions are immediate: how wage structures must change under the 50 percent allowance rule, whether employment contracts need updating for fixed-term provisions, and how social security contributions will work for gig workers. The event’s inclusion of ESIC and EPFO sessions suggests these bodies will play a central role in enforcement and registration.
The 50 percent rule and other compliance questions
The Code on Wages states that allowances cannot exceed 50 percent of total remuneration. If allowances currently exceed that threshold, the excess is treated as wages, which affects provident fund contributions, gratuity calculations and overtime payments. Many employers in UP still structure pay with high allowance components to reduce statutory contributions. Under the new definition, that approach becomes less viable. The OSH Code permits 12-hour shifts, but only within a four-day work week arrangement and subject to conditions set by the appropriate government. Employers should not assume this is automatically available. The question of whether the codes are applicable from April 2026 remains unresolved in the public domain. The central government has not issued a single commencement notification covering all four codes, and state rules are still being finalised. Employers should confirm the current status with the UP Labour Department before making structural changes.
Practical steps for HR and payroll teams
The first step is a wage structure audit. Map current salary components against the new definition of wages and calculate whether allowances exceed 50 percent of total remuneration. The second step is a contract review. Fixed-term employment provisions under the Industrial Relations Code require clear contract terms and equal benefits for fixed-term workers. The third step is registration readiness. Gig and platform workers will need social security registration once the Code on Social Security is operational, and employers in the platform economy should prepare for contribution obligations. The fourth step is standing orders review. Employers with between 100 and 300 workers should check whether they still need standing orders under the new threshold. The fifth step is attendance at district-level Shram Samvad sessions, which will continue across UP after the Lucknow event as part of the 90-day campaign.
What remains unclear
The sources do not state whether the Lucknow event is open to the public or by invitation only, nor do they give registration details or the exact venue. Employers seeking to attend should contact the UP Labour Department or the Ministry of Labour and Employment directly. The sources also do not confirm whether the codes are fully in force, partially notified or awaiting state rules. Until commencement notifications are issued, the existing labour laws continue to apply. The Shram Samvad campaign itself suggests the government is preparing for implementation rather than announcing immediate enforcement.
Sources: Observer Voice, The Hans India
Photo: Vladislav Stepanovich Malakhovskij, medal 'For Distinguished Labour', cover by USSR, Public domain
