Labour & Employment

In a ruling that underscores the importance of protecting long-serving workers, the Orissa High Court has ordered the State Bank of India (SBI) to pay Rs 20 lakh each to two sweepers who were wrongfully terminated after nearly three decades of service. The division bench of Justices Krishna S Dixit and Chittaranjan Dash noted that the workers had given their "sweat and blood" to the institution and observed that in the current era of artificial intelligence, they are unlikely

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) requires every employer with 10 or more employees to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to receive, investigate, and resolve complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace. This guide explains the composition requirements, the setup process, and the ongoing compliance obligations. Who Must Set Up an ICC? Every organisation, whether in the private or public

The Supreme Court of India has set aside a Labour Court award that directed the reinstatement of an employee who had remained absent from work without authorisation. In a judgment cited as 2026 LiveLaw (SC) 636, the Court held that an employee who fails to substantiate claims of being prevented from working cannot seek the benefit of reinstatement with back wages. Facts of the Case The employee had been absent from work for a prolonged period without obtaining prior permissio

The Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 2026 has come into effect from June 29, 2026, replacing the Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 1952 that governed provident fund contributions in India for over seven decades. The new scheme has been notified under the Code on Social Security, 2020, which consolidates and replaces nine existing labour welfare laws including the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. What Has Changed Under EPF Scheme 2026 The cor

OSHWC Central Rules 2026: India Notifies Final Occupational Safety Framework On May 8, 2026, the Government of India notified the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 (the "OSH Rules") via Gazette Notification G.S.R. 345(E). This notification, issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, provides the operational framework for implementing the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (the "OSH Code"). The OSH Code co

Recovering unpaid salary in India is a well-established legal right, and employees have more than one forum to enforce it. Whether wages have been withheld during employment, delayed beyond the due date, or left unpaid after resignation, the law provides remedies through labour authorities and courts. This guide explains how to recover unpaid salary from an employer in India, the statutes that apply, and the practical steps from a demand letter to a formal claim. Begin With a

Final Central Rules Bring the OSH Code Closer to Full Implementation The Ministry of Labour and Employment has notified the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026, through G.S.R. 345(E) dated May 8, 2026, published in the Gazette of India. These rules provide the implementing regulations for the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH Code), which came into force on November 21, 2025, as part of India's landmark lab

Losing a job suddenly is stressful, and many employees do not realise that the law may treat their dismissal as unlawful. If you have been wrongfully terminated from your job in India, you may be entitled to notice pay, compensation, or even reinstatement, depending on your role and the manner of termination. The protections are strongest for those who qualify as a workman under labour law, but every employee has some contractual and statutory rights worth knowing. Retrenchme

In a useful decision on employment contracts, the Delhi High Court has held that internal management correspondence cannot override the express terms of a written agreement signed between an employer and an employee. The ruling in Anju Dhawan v. M/S Aithent Technologies Pvt. Ltd. turned on whether a salary reduction the employee had accepted in writing was a permanent restructuring or a temporary deferment that had to be repaid later. The Dispute Over a Salary Cut The employe

Allahabad High Court rules that sexual harassment complaints under the PoSH Act cannot be rejected merely on the ground of delay without examining reasons.

Knowing how to withdraw your EPF online in India can save weeks of paperwork when you change jobs, retire or face an emergency. The Employees Provident Fund Organisation now allows most members to file claims directly through the UAN member portal, provided their know your customer details are verified and seeded. This guide explains the forms, eligibility and timelines for an EPF withdrawal so you can claim your money with confidence. Before You Apply: Activate Your UAN and

What Is SHe-Box 2.0 and Why Does It Matter On June 17, 2026, the Ministry of Women and Child Development launched SHe-Box 2.0, an upgraded digital platform designed to strengthen the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, commonly known as the PoSH Act. The platform replaces and enhances the original SHe-Box (Sexual Harassment electronic Box) system that was first introduced as a complaint filing mechan

Workplace injuries are an unfortunate reality in many industries across India, particularly in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and mining. When a worker suffers an injury or contracts a disease arising out of and in the course of employment, the law provides a mechanism for compensation. The Employees' Compensation Act 1923, originally known as the Workmen's Compensation Act, establishes the framework for claiming compensation without needing to prove employer negli

The Labour Commissioner (also called the Chief Labour Commissioner at the central level) is the primary authority for resolving disputes between employers and employees in India. Workers who face issues such as non-payment of wages, illegal termination, denial of statutory benefits, unsafe working conditions, or violations of labour laws can file complaints directly with the Labour Commissioner's office in their jurisdiction. When You Can Approach the Labour Commissioner The

A Shop and Establishment Licence (also called a Gumasta Licence in Maharashtra) is a mandatory registration for every commercial establishment in India, whether it is a shop, office, restaurant, hotel, warehouse, or startup operating from a physical premises. The licence is governed by the Shop and Establishment Act of the respective state and is typically the first legal proof that a business has commenced operations at a particular location. Why the Licence Is Required The

When you resign, retire or are removed from a job in India, your employer must clear your dues through a full and final settlement. This settlement covers your pending salary and other amounts owed to you, and the law now sets a tight timeline for paying it. Many employees are unaware that the Code on Wages, 2019 requires final wages to be paid within two working days of an exit in certain situations. This guide explains what full and final settlement includes, the legal time

Can your employer terminate you without notice in India? In most cases, no. An employer who ends the service of an eligible employee must ordinarily give notice or pay in lieu of notice, and where the law on retrenchment applies, must also pay compensation. Termination that ignores these requirements can be challenged as illegal. The exact protection depends on whether you are a workman under the labour statutes and on the terms of your contract. This guide explains the statu

The Supreme Court has ruled that long-serving casual labourers who were granted temporary status are entitled to pension even if they were never formally regularised before retirement. The decision in Bhikhani Devi v. Union of India, reported as 2026 INSC 612 and delivered on 1 June 2026, grants relief to former Department of Posts workers and the widow of a deceased employee, and reshapes how pensionary benefits are assessed for decades of unbroken service. A Bench of Justic

In a significant ruling that narrows the scope of what constitutes a "workplace" under Indian sexual harassment law, the Bombay High Court has held that a shared autorickshaw used by employees for daily commuting does not qualify as a workplace under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013. The Division Bench of Justices Suman Shyam and Firdosh Pooniwalla, in Siddhesh Pradeep Satpute v State Bank of India, quashed an Internal Committee (IC) order passed against a

Maternity benefit in India is a statutory right that guarantees eligible women paid leave and job protection around childbirth. The principal law is the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, significantly strengthened by the 2017 amendment, which extended paid maternity leave to 26 weeks for most women. This guide explains who is covered, how much leave and pay you are entitled to, and the practical steps to claim your maternity benefit from your employer without losing your job or yo