Lok Sabha passes Industrial Relations Code Bill to avoid confusion over 2020 Act
POLITY – BILL/ACTS
13 FEBRUARY 2026
Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- The Lok Sabha has passed the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to prevent any “future unwarranted complication” regarding the repeal and continuity of earlier labour laws replaced by the Industrial Relations Code, 2020.
Why the Amendment Was Needed
The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 had already repealed three major labour laws:
- Trade Unions Act, 1926
- Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946
- Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
The repeal occurred through Section 104 of the Code.
However, the government clarified that:
- There may be confusion that the repeal power was delegated to the executive.
- To ensure legal clarity and continuity, the amendment explicitly reinforces that repeal happened by operation of law (Section 104 itself).
- A February 2026 notification further clarified this position.
The amendment aims to remove ambiguity and ensure legal certainty.
What Are “Savings Provisions”?
Savings provisions ensure that:
- Actions taken under old laws remain valid.
- Rights, liabilities, and proceedings continue smoothly.
- There is no legal vacuum during transition.
Section 104 contains such savings clauses.
Broader Context: Four Labour Codes
The Industrial Relations Code is one of the four Labour Codes, implemented recently:
- Code on Wages, 2019
- Industrial Relations Code, 2020
- Code on Social Security, 2020
- Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020
According to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, these Codes ensure:
- Guarantee of minimum wages
- Compulsory issuance of appointment letters
- Uniform wages for same work irrespective of gender
- Simplification and consolidation of labour laws
Significance
- Ensures smoother legal transition from old labour laws.
- Avoids potential litigation over repeal validity.
- Strengthens labour law reform framework.
- Reinforces clarity in legislative intent.
