India's four labour codes, for employers and contractors.
In force across India from 21 November 2025. The central rules followed in 2026, and each state is notifying its own. Teamnet tracks the rules of every state.
What each code covers.
- Code on Wages, 2019
- Minimum wages, payment of wages and bonus for every worker. Monthly wages are paid by the 7th of the following month.
- Code on Social Security, 2020
- PF, ESIC and the other social security schemes. PF and ESIC are due by the 15th of the following month; late payment carries interest plus damages (sections 127 and 128).
- Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020
- Contract labour, safety and working conditions on site. If a contractor pays wages late or short, the principal employer pays the workers and recovers the amount from the contractor (section 55(3)).
- Industrial Relations Code, 2020
- Standing orders, disputes and the terms of employment.
Labour codes in force (PIB) → Compliance handbook for employers under the four labour codes (Ministry of Labour and Employment) → Labour codes - additional FAQs (Ministry of Labour and Employment) →
You answer for every contract worker.
If a contractor pays wages late or short, the principal employer must pay the workers and recover the amount from the contractor (OSH Code, 2020, section 55(3)); the same holds for their PF and ESIC (Code on Social Security, 2020, sections 17 and 31). The principal employer also provides the welfare facilities the code sets for contract workers on site (OSH Code, 2020, section 53).
What the principal employer answers for, in full →
Code on Social Security, 2020 (text) → OSH Code factsheet (PIB) →
Every month, checked against the codes.
- How does an employer check a contractor's PF and ESIC each month?
- What happens if a contractor short-pays wages?
- Which registers must a contractor keep?
- What does late PF or ESIC cost?
- How does a contractor prepare a month its client can accept?
- How does a contract worker check their own PF?
Last updated 5 November 2026. The law is quoted from the official texts linked above.