Current framework
Reviewed 16 October 2026. Contract-labour provisions are in Part I of Chapter XI of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. The Code commenced on 21 November 2025, replacing the former Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act framework. Check applicability, registration and licensing against the Code, rules of the appropriate government and current portal directions.
When the contract-labour part applies
Section 45 applies this part to an establishment where 50 or more contract labour are or were employed on any day in the preceding 12 months, and to a manpower-supply contractor meeting the corresponding 50-worker test. The Ministry's OSH Code FAQ explains that this threshold relates to the contract-labour part; it does not remove general health and safety protections that can apply to establishments with 10 or more employees.
Do not carry forward the former Act's 20-worker threshold or old licence and register forms as current. Verify the registration or licence route with the rules and authority responsible for the establishment.
Principal-employer and contractor checks
- Document the number of contract workers at each establishment and the look-back period used.
- Identify the appropriate government and applicable rules and portal process.
- Check whether registration or a licence is required before work begins and retain current evidence.
- Review the work order, worker list, attendance, wage statements, payment proof and statutory contribution records against actual deployment.
- Where a contractor fails to pay wages, the Code can require the principal employer to make good unpaid amounts and recover them from the contractor.
- Check whether work is in a core activity and whether a restriction or exception applies; provide required safety and welfare facilities.
Maintain evidence
Keep the work order, registration or licence evidence, worker and attendance records, wage statements, payment evidence, contribution reconciliation, safety induction records, incident reports and inspection correspondence. Confirm which electronic returns and registers are required; legacy forms and deadlines may not match the applicable rule.
Official references
Read the OSH Code, 2020, the Ministry's OSH Code FAQs, and current Labour Codes updates. Kerala employers should also check the Kerala Labour Commissionerate. Contact GHR Consultancy for a compliance review.