CICU Highlights Key Issues in New Labour Codes, Submits Suggestions to Centre
December 6, 2025
Ett News / Ludhiana
The Chamber of Industrial & Commercial Undertakings (CICU) organised an informative session in Ludhiana to brief industries on the New Labour Codes and their implications for employers and employees. The session, held at the CICU Complex in Focal Point was presided over by association president Upkar Singh Ahuja and brought together industrialists, HR professionals and entrepreneurs seeking clarity on the evolving labour law framework.
Legal expert Advocate Punit Gupta explained what the new Codes are, why they were introduced and how they will impact businesses. He detailed the four consolidated labour codes—Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH & WC) Code and the Social Security Code—stating that the aim is to merge multiple laws into a simpler unified structure.
He told participants how the new legal framework changes compliance requirements, affects MSMEs and redefines employer–employee responsibilities. Gupta also explained how universal social security, timely wage payments and improved workplace safety will benefit workers, while employers may face challenges such as higher administrative responsibilities, increased social security costs and compliance during the transition.
CICU representatives said the session helped the industry understand what changes to expect, how implementation will unfold and when companies must prepare for adjustments. Participants raised concerns about working hours, fixed-term employment and the need for clarity during the rollout phase.
During the event, CICU also shared that it has submitted detailed suggestions on the Draft Central Factories Workers Rules framed under the OSH & WC Code, 2020. The chamber stated that the proposal for appointing additional Welfare Officers and mandating a woman Welfare Officer goes beyond Section 24 of the Code, which requires only one Welfare Officer and contains no gender-based conditions. It said the idea of a Chief Welfare Officer is redundant for the same reason.
CICU further opposed the draft requirement to train 33% of workers in first aid, calling it excessive and suggesting a risk- and shift-based approach. The chamber also objected to provisions that continue to place responsibilities for hygiene, ventilation, lighting and sanitation on the ‘Occupier’ even when authority is delegated to Factory Managers and other officials. It proposed shifting operational responsibilities to the Factory Manager while keeping the occupier responsible for policy-level oversight.
Industry members also demanded that MSMEs be exempted or given relaxed conditions under the new draft rules due to their limited resources and small workforce. CICU officials said that their recommendations aim to ensure practical, efficient and legally consistent implementation of labour reforms without burdening industry.
They added that CICU will continue to work as a bridge between policymakers and the industrial sector to support smoother compliance and sustainable workforce welfare.
Cicu labour codes osh wc code 2020 msme relief demand labour law compliance industrial relations code social security code ludhiana industry session
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