SRINAGAR, SEPT 24: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday reviewed the implementation of the four new Labour Codes in Jammu and Kashmir, directing departments to complete the remaining statutory and administrative formalities within the prescribed timelines and ensure a smooth transition to the new regulatory framework.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance; Commissioner Secretary, Law; Secretary, Labour and Employment; Labour Commissioner, J&K; and other senior officers.
Reviewing the progress, the Chief Secretary stressed timely completion of the pending processes and said the transition should strengthen workers’ welfare and social security, while promoting transparency, industrial harmony and a more efficient regulatory environment for industrial establishments across the Union Territory.
Secretary, Labour and Employment Department, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, gave a detailed presentation on the implementation status of the four Codes—the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020; Code on Social Security, 2020; and Code on Wages, 2019.
The meeting was informed that the four Codes consolidate 29 existing labour laws into a unified framework aimed at strengthening workers’ welfare, improving industrial relations and facilitating ease of doing business.
On rule formulation, officials informed that J&K has already notified rules under the Industrial Relations Code and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code. Rules under the Code on Social Security and Code on Wages are at the final stage of notification.
The draft rules for the two remaining Codes were pre-published after obtaining the requisite approval of the Lieutenant Governor. The process attracted 27 objections under the Code on Social Security and five under the Code on Wages. The objections have been examined and are being disposed of, with the department targeting submission of the rules for final publication within the next ten days.
Administrative notifications under all four Codes have also been framed and submitted to the Law Department for statutory vetting. These notifications are proposed to be issued after their return from the Law Department.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed preparations for shifting towards a unified digital compliance and grievance redressal mechanism through the Central Government’s Shram Suvidha and Samadhan portals.
Officials informed that J&K has already conveyed its consent to the Ministry of Labour and Employment for onboarding onto the Shram Suvidha portal and furnished the required banking details to facilitate digital transactions.
The Shram Suvidha portal is envisaged as a single-window platform for registration, licensing, filing of annual returns and inspections, while the Samadhan portal will enable workers and employers to register, track and seek online resolution of industrial disputes and grievances.
The meeting was further informed that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is currently undertaking customisation and revamping of both platforms to facilitate their seamless integration with J&K’s existing compliance systems and ensure smooth implementation for workers, employers and other stakeholders across the Union Territory.
