New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Thursday witnessed a detailed debate on the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introduced by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, aimed at preventing misinterpretation and legal confusion surrounding the repeal of earlier labour laws. The amendment seeks to clarify provisions under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, which consolidated three major laws — the Trade Unions Act, 1926; the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946; and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 — into a unified framework.
The government stated that the amendment is intended to remove ambiguity regarding how the repeals were effected, ensuring that there is no scope for future legal disputes or claims of improper delegation of legislative power. Officials emphasized that the repeal had already taken effect automatically under the provisions of the 2020 Code and that the amendment merely reinforces legal clarity and continuity. However, opposition members expressed concerns that changes to labour legislation could impact workers’ rights, sparking a broader debate on balancing legal precision with employee protections. The discussion marks another significant step in the ongoing evolution of India’s labour law reforms.
