New Delhi: The Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) organised an interactive workshop on “Labour Law Reforms: Understanding the New Labour Codes & Central Rules” in collaboration with knowledge partner Deloitte.
The session was attended by nearly 100 participants representing 32 Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) and formed part of SCOPE’s ongoing capacity-building initiatives for public sector organisations.
The workshop focused on helping PSEs understand and implement statutory provisions related to wages, social security, workplace safety, and labour-management relations under the new labour law framework.
Senior Officials Address Interactive Workshop
The inaugural session was addressed by senior government and public sector representatives, along with Deloitte experts.
The speakers included:
- Dr. Mahendra Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India
- Dr. K. P. Mahadevaswamy, Chairman, SCOPE and CMD, NBCC
- Atul Sobti, Director General, SCOPE
- Gokul Chaudhri, President – Tax, Deloitte
- Divya Baweja, Partner, Deloitte
Senior officials from the Ministry of Labour & Employment and PSEs, subject matter experts and the Deloitte team also participated in the workshop and provided technical guidance to participants.
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New Labour Codes Aim to Simplify Labour Law Framework
Addressing the session, Dr. Mahendra Kumar said the consolidation of labour laws into four comprehensive Labour Codes represents a significant step towards simplification, transparency and modernisation of the country’s labour law framework.
He highlighted that the reforms seek to balance labour rights with ease of doing business, while creating a more streamlined regulatory framework.
The interactive session provided participants with an opportunity to understand the statutory provisions and discuss practical aspects related to their implementation in PSEs.
SCOPE Highlights Importance of Dialogue in Labour Reforms
Dr. K. P. Mahadevaswamy, Chairman, SCOPE and CMD, NBCC, said the effectiveness of a major reform depends not only on its legislative framework but also on the quality of dialogue surrounding its implementation.
He emphasised the importance of continuous engagement among the government, employers and employees to build a shared understanding of the reforms and greater confidence in their implementation.
The session therefore focused not only on the provisions of the new Labour Codes but also on the need for effective communication and engagement among stakeholders.
Atul Sobti Calls Labour Codes a ‘Game Changer’
Speaking at the workshop, SCOPE Director General Atul Sobti described the four Labour Codes as a globally appreciated “game changer”, highlighting their role in improving regulatory clarity, efficiency and inclusivity.
He also underlined SCOPE’s close engagement with the Ministry of Labour & Employment and said that understanding and effectively implementing the reforms is particularly important for PSEs because of their large direct and indirect workforce.
The workshop was part of SCOPE’s broader efforts to strengthen the capacity of PSEs and help them navigate changes in the labour law framework.
Deloitte Provides Technical Guidance on Labour Code Implementation
Deloitte representatives Gokul Chaudhri and Divya Baweja also addressed the session and shared their perspectives on the new labour reforms.
The Deloitte team described the reforms as a step in the right direction from the perspective of labour law and labour reforms, highlighting their potential significance for the country’s regulatory framework.
The experts also provided technical guidance to participants on various aspects of implementing the Labour Codes.
Workshop Focuses on Practical Implementation
The interactive workshop provided PSE representatives with comprehensive guidance on statutory provisions concerning key areas of labour regulation, including:
- Wages and related statutory provisions
- Social security
- Workplace safety
- Labour-management relations
- Implementation of the new Labour Codes
- Central Rules and their practical implications
Participants also had the opportunity to raise questions and discuss implementation-related issues with government officials, subject matter experts and the Deloitte team.
SCOPE Reaffirms Capacity-Building Role for PSEs
Through the interactive session, SCOPE reaffirmed its role as a knowledge and capacity-building partner for Public Sector Enterprises during the transition to the new Labour Codes.
The organisation also reiterated its commitment to conducting further capacity-building programmes on labour law reforms across the country.
With PSEs employing large direct and indirect workforces, such programmes are intended to help organisations develop a clearer understanding of statutory requirements and support smoother implementation of the new regulatory framework.
About SCOPE
The Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) is an apex professional organisation representing Public Sector Enterprises in India. It works towards strengthening the capabilities of PSEs by facilitating knowledge-sharing, policy dialogue, professional development and capacity-building initiatives. SCOPE also engages with government bodies and other stakeholders on issues relevant to the public sector.
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