India’s new labour codes have officially come into effect, bringing together a wide range of older labour laws under one unified structure. The shift aims to make working conditions clearer, more predictable and easier to regulate.
As this new framework begins to take shape, here are five key benefits emerging from the new labour code.
For the first time, gig and platform workers have been formally acknowledged under labour law — a major step for those who have long worked without official safety nets.
As Madhav Kasturia, Founder and CEO of Zippee, explains, “The new labour codes finally recognise gig and platform workers in law. This brings them into a structured social security net with insurance, PF-linked benefits and pension support.”
This recognition gives millions of delivery partners and app-based workers greater financial protection and long-term stability.
for all categories of workers.
Kasturia highlights the impact on gig workers: “Minimum wages and timely payouts are now mandatory for all categories of workers. This reduces income volatility for delivery partners working variable shifts.”
For workers dependent on daily or flexible schedules, predictable earnings can make a significant difference to household budgeting.
The new rules also strengthen access to healthcare by expanding ESI coverage and offering free annual medical check-ups.
According to Kasturia, “Free annual medical checkups and expanded ESI coverage improve day-to-day wellbeing for gig workers who spend long hours on the road.”
This focus on routine health monitoring could reduce long-term health risks and financial strain caused by untreated illnesses.
Women will now be able to work across roles — including night shifts — provided employers ensure proper safety measures and obtain their consent.
This change opens the door to wider opportunities in fast-growing sectors such as quick commerce, logistics and warehousing.
As workplaces adapt to these new protections, the move is expected to encourage more women to join and stay in the workforce.
A new welfare model is also being introduced for gig workers, where platform companies will contribute 1 to 2% of their turnover to a social security fund.
Kasturia explains the importance of this step: “Aggregators will contribute 1 to 2% of turnover to a social security fund for gig workers, building long-term welfare reserves.”
This fund is expected to support insurance, pensions and other long-term benefits for millions of platform-based workers.
In other words, the new labour code marks a major shift in how India approaches worker rights and workplace protections.