The Government of Madhya Pradesh, on November 27, 2025, following Presidential assent on November 18, 2025, enacted amendments to three major central labour laws as applicable to the State—namely the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970; the Factories Act, 1948; and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947—along with miscellaneous enabling provisions. The Act comes into effect on the date of its publication in the Gazette.
The amendments introduce significant upward revisions to applicability thresholds. Under the Contract Labour Act, the threshold for contractor and principal employer coverage increases from 20 to 50 workmen, modifying section 1(4)(a), (b), and the proviso accordingly. Under the Factories Act, section 2(m) is amended to raise the minimum number of workers for defining a factory—from 10 to 20 (with power) and 20 to 40 (without power). Section 85 is also revised to reflect corresponding increases in worker thresholds. These changes broaden exemptions for smaller establishments and target regulatory oversight toward larger units.
In amendments to the Industrial Disputes Act, section 22 is expanded so that prohibitions and procedural requirements applicable to public utility services now extend to any industrial establishment, heightening compliance obligations for strikes and lockouts. The Act also empowers the State Government to frame rules through prior publication, ensuring effective implementation of the amended provisions.
[Act No. 24 of 2025]
