The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MOLE), on November 21, 2025, issued a notification bringing into force several substantive provisions of the Code on Wages, 2019, under the authority of Section 1(3) of the Code. The notification specifies the commencement of core operational, administrative, and regulatory sections of the Code.
The provisions notified include Sections 1 to 41 (covering definitions, minimum wages, payment of wages, bonus, and related obligations), Sections 43 to 66 (general provisions), and key parts of Section 42 and Section 67 related to rule-making powers. Section 68 and Section 69 (barring specific exclusions noted under S.O. 4604(E) dated 18 December 2020) are also brought into force. This marks a major step toward operationalising the unified wage framework intended to simplify and consolidate wage-related compliance in India.
By activating these provisions, the Central Government moves closer to implementing the complete Code on Wages, 2019, aimed at enhancing labour protection, ensuring timely wage payments, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and providing a uniform national framework for wage regulation across establishments.
[Notification No. S.O. 5322(E)]
