Fifth Regional Conference on Labour Codes begins in New Delhi.

New Delhi, February 27, 2026: The fifth-day Regional Conference with States and Union Territories on Labour Codes and related aspects commenced at the headquarters of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) in New Delhi today.

The Regional Conference was inaugurated by Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, who delivered the keynote address.

The event was attended by Vandana Gurnani, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, senior officials of the Ministry, and representatives from participating States and UTs, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim, Nagaland, Uttarakhand and Delhi. Senior officials from the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and the V. V. Giri National Labour Institute (VVGNLI) were also present.

Centre-State partnership is a key topic to discuss in the regional conference:

In his inaugural address, Mandaviya emphasized that in India’s federal structure, the Centre and States are equal partners in advancing labour reforms.

He noted that comprehensive reforms had long been needed to align India’s labour ecosystem with the aspiration of a rapidly transforming economy.

The Minister highlighted that the four Labour Codes, enacted in 2019 and 2020, aim to align India’s labour framework with international best practices and global benchmarks, including guidelines of organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO).

 He said that since the codes came into effect on 21 November 2025, they have been welcomed by both workers and industry.

 He further stated that India’s reform efforts have received recognition from global bodies such as the International Social Security Association (ISSA), as well as international publications including The Economist and Financial Times, which acknowledged the Codes’ provisions for strengthening workers’ security and building a modern workforce.

Focus on implementation, IT infrastructure and e-Shram:

Describing the Regional Conference as a vital platform for synergy between the Centre and States/UTs, the Minister said it facilitates convergence of views and sharing of best practices for effective implementation of the Labour Codes.

He urged States to seek handholding support from the Centre, particularly in building a robust IT infrastructure, and encouraged them to provide inputs for strengthening the e-Shram portal to enhance the delivery of benefits to unorganized workers.

Mandaviya also underlined the importance of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Yojana (PMVBY) in empowering small enterprises and employees, and called for close coordination between the Central Labour Commissioner’s structure and State Labour Departments.

Highlighting the industrial potential of North-Eastern States, he reiterated alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Act East” vision.

The inaugural session was followed by detailed presentations by senior Ministry officials and State/UT representatives outlining progress in finalizing Rules and IT preparedness.

The Regional Conference served as a platform to deliberate on rules and regulations, identify gaps and areas of divergence, expedite the establishment of Boards, Funds and institutional mechanisms under the Codes, consult on schemes proposed under the four Labour Codes, strengthen digital platforms for effective execution, enhance capacity building and awareness among field-level functionaries.

The two-day deliberations aim to further strengthen Centre-State collaboration and accelerate effective implementation of the Labour Codes across the country.

Also Read: Patna to host a regional conference of energy ministers on June 24 to boost power generation.

EOM.