The government has introduced the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha to prevent any future confusion over the continuity of certain laws that were subsumed under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020.
Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tabled the Bill during Zero Hour on Wednesday. The legislation is likely to be taken up for discussion and passage in the House today.
As stated in the Bill’s statement of objects and reasons, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 consolidated and replaced three key labour laws: the Trade Unions Act, 1926; the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946; and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. These laws dealt with matters relating to trade unions, conditions of industrial employment and the resolution of industrial disputes.
The amendment aims to remove any ambiguity regarding the continued application and transition of provisions under the earlier framework.
