(ANI) The Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya during Zero Hour.
The Bill seeks to amend the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, which consolidated and replaced the Trade Unions
Act, 1926, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947,
covering trade unions, industrial employment, and industrial disputes. It also contains savings provisions under
Section 104 to ensure continuity and legal certainty
The amendment aims to clarify that the repeal of the earlier enactments occurred automatically under Section
104 of the Code and to prevent any future confusion regarding the delegation of repeal powers to the executive.
Also read – Sujata Yadav joins Metso as Vice President – HR (MEI)
The Bill stated that the provisions of Section 104 and a February 2026 notification, published in the Official
Gazette, clearly establish that the repeal has occurred by the operation of section 104 of the Code itself, and the
proposed amendment is intended to avoid any “future unwarranted complication.”
The Industrial Relations Code, 2020, which consolidates and amends laws relating to trade unions, conditions of
employment in industrial establishments, and dispute resolution, is a key pillar of India’s labour reforms.
With labour codes gradually being operationalised across the country, clarity in administrative jurisdiction is
essential to achieving the intended objectives of improved industrial harmony, worker protection, and ease of
doing business.
Earlier on January 6, President Droupadi Murmu authorised the administrators and Lieutenant Governors of all
the Union Territories to exercise the powers and discharge the functions of the “appropriate government” under
the Industrial Relations Code, 2020.
The move is aimed at ensuring clarity and uniformity in the implementation of labour laws across Union
Territories.
The directive has been issued pursuant to clause (1) of Article 239 of the Constitution and supersedes earlier
notification issued on January 16, 2023, and June 22, 2023.
